Does my child have eczema?

Eczema can appear as red, crusty patches on your baby's skin, often in the first few months. It is common and very well treatable. Many babies outgrow it.

Not sure if your child's itchy, itchy rash is eczema? Your doctor can tell you for sure. These questions and answers may help you figure out what to look for.

What does baby eczema look like?

It appears as patches on red or dry skin. The skin is almost always rough and rough.

Babies can contract the disease almost anywhere on the body. Most often, it affects their cheeks and the joints of the hands and feet.

Baby eczema (also called baby eczema or atopic dermatitis) is easily confused with lullaby dermatitis. But there are some key differences.

Cradle caps are much less red and scaly. It usually disappears after 8 months and usually appears on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids and eyebrows, and behind the ears.

Causes

It can work in families. If one of the parents has eczema, the child is much more likely to have it.

Problems with the skin barrier, which allows moisture to evaporate and germs to enter, can also be a cause.

Eczema occurs when the body produces too few fat cells called ceramides. If you don't get enough, your skin will lose water and become very dry.

Does baby eczema go away on its own?

This often happens. Most children go through it before entering school.

It's uncommon, but some children develop eczema as an adult. They can last for periods—even years—without symptoms. But they can still have dry skin.

What could make things worse

All children are different. But there are some common eczema triggers to avoid, including:

Dry skin. This can make the child more itchy. One reason is low humidity, especially in winter when houses are well heated and the air is dry.
Irritants. Think itchy wool, polyester, perfume, body soap, and laundry soap. All of these can cause symptoms.
Stress. Children with eczema may react to stress by blushing. This can lead to itching and skin irritation. And this, in turn, exacerbates the symptoms of eczema.
Heat and sweat. Both can increase the itching of childhood eczema.
Allergens. It's not certain, but some experts believe that eliminating cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, or certain fruits from baby food can help control eczema symptoms. Be aware that your baby may be exposed to these foods if their mother eats them before breastfeeding.

Home treatment

Moisturizers. One with ceramides is the best option. They are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Alternatively, a good moisturizer, fragrance-free cream, or ointment such as petroleum jelly, when used several times a day, will help your baby's skin retain its natural moisture. Apply immediately after bath.
Warm bath. It hydrates and refreshes the skin. It can also relieve itching. Make sure the water is not too hot! Keep the bath for a short time - no more than 10 minutes. To further soothe the itching, you can try adding oatmeal to your baby's bath.
Use mild unscented body soap and laundry soap. Perfumed, deodorant, and antibacterial soaps can be harsh on baby's sensitive skin.
Clean carefully. Use soap only where your child is likely to get dirty, such as on the genitals, hands and feet. Just wash the rest of your child's body.
Dry off. Blot your skin dry. Don't rub.
Dress for comfortable days. To avoid irritation from skin friction with clothing, your child should wear loose-fitting cotton clothing.

Always wash new clothes before putting them on your child. Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent.

To keep your baby comfortable, don't change clothes or use too many blankets. If it is hot and sweaty, it can aggravate eczema.

What to do for itching

Try not to let your child scratch the itchy skin. Scratching can make rashes worse, lead to infection, and make irritated skin thicker and tougher.

Trim his nails frequently and then file them off if you can. Some parents also put "scratches" on their baby's arms. Others try long socks tucked under a long-sleeved shirt to make it harder for a child to take them off.

Medications

Some over-the-counter products, such as hydrocortisone creams and ointments, relieve itching and inflammation. Read the instructions and don't use them for too long or they may thin the skin in the affected area.

There are also medications that require a doctor's prescription if other treatments don't work.

When to call the doctor

Call if your child's eczema does not improve within a week of starting over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. It may be time to take your prescription medication.

Also check with your doctor if yellow or light brown scabs or pus-filled blisters appear over the eczema. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics.

You should call your doctor if your child is around someone who has herpes or genital herpes. Eczema can make your little one more susceptible to these germs.