Eczema: Skin Conditions and What You Need to Know.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is sometimes referred to as dermatitis.  There are a range of skin conditions ranging from rashes to a reddened chapped skin.  It’s always difficult as a parent to deal with Baby eczema, because sometimes Eczema brings on aggressive scratching.

How would you recognize if it’s Eczema?

It is highly likely to be eczema if your child has a reddening of the skin.  It’s also common for your child’s skin to start cracking or scaling.  It’s also not uncommon for the skin to develop tiny bumps that ooze.  While this can be unsightly the condition is not contagious.  The challenge with Eczema is that it can occur anywhere on the body.  You will normally find eczema in babies around their head and sometimes on their chest.

What causes baby eczema?

There seem to be many causes of eczema.  We do know that baby eczema is often inherited. Your baby is more likely to have it if you or some other close family member has had eczema, asthma or allergies.

The most common cause is if your child is overly sensitive to certain allergens.  Those allergens could include any of the following: pollen, mold, animal dander, and certain foods. 

If your child has had antibiotics, there is a chance the eczema could be a reaction to a resulting yeast infection, because antibiotics destroy the “good” bacteria and infection-fighting cells needed in our bodies, thus weakening the immune system.

What can parents do to prevent an outbreak?

It is best to be proactive against baby eczema – this means avoiding as many triggers as possible and strengthening their immune system:

• Avoid bubble baths all together.  Also be aware that “over bathing” your child can contribute to an eczema outbreak
• Start your child on children’s vitamins as soon as possible
• Dust mites in your bedroom or in playrooms could be a contributor to an outbreak.
• Switch to milder soaps for bathing the child and washing their clothing.
• Make sure your child is dressed in clothes that can easily breathe
• Avoid dairy products from cow’s milk.

How is eczema treated?

The first suggestion is to make sure you keep your child’s skin constantly moisturized.  If you can get in the habit of applying a skin moisturizer immediately after a bath this should help.

If your child already has a significant outbreak try to limit the use of hydrocortisone creams. Hydrocortisone is a steroid that will aggravate the skin.  When an outbreak occurs your focus should be on relieving the itching.  Look for natural creams that are offered at your local health store.

 
Is baby eczema contagious?

Eczema is not contagious, so there's no need to keep a baby or child who has it away from siblings, other children, or anyone else.