Identifying Baby Eczema On His Face And Body
So what does baby eczema look like? With eczema, your babyâs skin will look dry and scaly or bumpy with red patches. The condition usually starts on the face, especially on the cheeks, forehead, or scalp.
In many cases, the rash goes away on the face before spreading to other areas, such as the bends of the elbows and the area behind the knees.
The patches caused by eczema can be mild and small, but they can also be extremely itchy, which can make your baby irritable. If this is the case with your little one, speak to your healthcare provider.
Keep in mind that eczema on your babyâs head might look a little like cradle cap, which is another skin condition that can affect some babies. Your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose the condition.
What Is Baby Eczema
Eczema is a dry, itchy skin rash that can appear anywhere on the body, but it commonly appears on the face and limbs. Anyone can have eczema, including infants.
Eczema in babies is very common. It affects 25% of children, 60% of whom develop it in their first year of life. While the condition can be lifelong, some children outgrow it.
Some things tend to make people more prone to developing eczema, including:
- Family history of eczema
- Family history of hay fever, allergies, or asthma
- Living in a cold, damp climate
- Exposure to environmental irritants
- Having an overactive immune system
Black children in the United States are 1.7 times more likely to develop eczema than White children. It is unknown why eczema disproportionately impacts Black children, but theories include disparate access to health care and that darker skin may mask the rash, resulting in later diagnosis.
Treating Baby Eczema With Anti
Itching is definitely the worse part of eczema. Its not possible to make a baby understand that continuous scratching will aggravate eczema and may cause an infection. This is where topical but also oral antihistamines may help if the itching is severe.
They often help to break the cycle of scratching eczema which makes eczema worse. Some older types of antihistamines like Phenergan and Atarax make the brain drowsy and are primarily used at bedtime because they can help a baby get to sleep. Never use anti-itch creams on children younger than 2 before consulting your doctor first
Recommended Reading: Stress Related Eczema On Hands
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Baby Eczema On Face
When Should I See A Doctor About Baby Eczema
Because eczema causes little breaks in the skin and scratches from intense itching it can pave the way for infection. Call your doctor if you notice:
- crusting or scabbing of the skin with a yellow or honey color
- oozing, weeping, or blistering from the site
- a rash that isnt getting better with treatment
Dealing with eczema can be stressful , but your provider can help you come up with a treatment plan to keep your kiddo comfortable in their skin!
What Causes Eczema In Toddlers
Before you panic that your child will have lifelong bouts of itchy rashes, its important to remember that some kids are just prone to eczema because of their unique skin makeup. And even thats not always fixed or permanent.
Theres no way to predict what will happen in the future, but lots of kids outgrow their eczema when they reach their preschool years.
Your child is more likely to have eczema if they also have:
- a family history of eczema
Food allergies dont cause eczema, but they are related.
According to a , other conditions that may be related to eczema may include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
For the most part, though, environmental triggers are the biggest cause of eczema flares. Common triggers include:
- excessive heat or sweating
Although eczema is bothersome and often hard to treat, you can take some steps to get your toddlers eczema under control.
Also Check: Best Products For Baby Eczema
Don’t Miss: What Bar Soap Is Good For Eczema
What Does Baby Eczema Look Like
Eczema doesn’t look the same on every baby. In babies with light skin, it usually shows up as patches of red skin. In darker-skinned babies, the rash might look purplish, brownish, or grayish. Eczema can be harder to see on babies with dark skin.
These patches are almost always dry, itchy, and rough.
Babies can get the condition just about anywhere on their body. Most often, it affects their cheeks and the joints of their arms and legs.
Itâs easy to confuse baby eczema with cradle cap. But there are some key differences.
Cradle cap is much less itchy and irritated. It generally clears up by age 8 months and usually appears on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids and eyebrows, and behind the ears. See a photo of what cradle cap looks like.
Managing And Preventing Skin Infections
Bacteria and viruses can make eczema rashes worse. It’s important to watch for signs of infection.
Look for oozing, crusting, pus bumps, blisters or a worsening rash that is not getting better with your usual treatments. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think your child’s skin is infected. Infections may require antibiotic or antiviral medicines!
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Eczema Patches
What Else Is Happening At Johns Hopkins Today
We go out of our way to provide the comprehensive care our patients with eczema need. On a case-by-case basis, we communicate with one another whether in allergy, dermatology, psychology or infectious disease to put together the best course of treatment for each child.We are optimistic that future therapies and approaches to care for those with even severe eczema are going to be greatly improved with more research and that the creation of the Eczema Day Treatment Unit will help us conduct cutting edge research and answer questions we face every day seeing and treating patients.
What Are Possible Causes Of Baby Eczema Flare
Due to the weakened barrier function of the skin, allergens can penetrate the outer layers of the skin and are picked up by cells from the immune system, causing sensitization. This then results in eczema flare-ups. Different triggers cause eczema flare-ups depending on the environment of the baby. Common triggers include
Recommended Reading: Can You Develop Eczema At Any Age
How Is Atopic Dermatitis Diagnosed In A Child
The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. He or she may also ask if you or other family members have atopic dermatitis, asthma, or nasal allergies such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. He or she will also ask about allergy symptoms in your child. The healthcare provider will examine your child, looking for signs of atopic dermatitis. There is no specific test for atopic dermatitis. Testing is usually not needed, but it may be done. Tests may include:
-
Blood tests. Your childs blood may be checked for levels of immunoglobulin E . IgE is released by the body’s immune system. Its high in most children with allergies and with atopic dermatitis. Other blood tests may also be done.
-
Skin tests. Skin tests may be done to check for allergies or other skin conditions.
How Does Baby Eczema Differ From Dry Skin
Dry skin is a symptom of eczema. Your pediatrician can diagnose eczema by examining your baby’s skin. He or she may send you to a pediatric dermatologist for confirmation and treatment if the condition is severe.
In general, dry skin can be handled at home with some moisturizer and isnt as bothersome as eczema. However, babies with darker skin tend to have drier skin than those with lighter skin making moisturization even more crucial.
Recommended Reading: Can Eggs Cause Eczema Flare Ups
Teach Your Child To Avoid Or Cope With Stressful Situations
Stress can cause flare-ups just like environmental triggers can, so you should teach your child to avoid or cope with stressful situations whenever possible.
When major changes in your childs life occurfirst time at daycare, starting preschool or kindergarten, a move to a different townbe sure to reassure your child that everything is going to be okay.
If necessary, teach your child some coping techniques such as deep breathing or visualization. These will help your little one deal with the inevitable stresses that they will encounter throughout life.
What Doesnt Cause Eczema
Eczema is not contagious. You can’t catch eczema by coming in contact with someone who has it.
Eczema is not an allergic reaction. Even so, a large number of children who have eczema also have food allergies. That doesn’t mean that certain foods such as dairy, eggs, and nuts — common food allergy triggers in children with eczema — cause it or make it worse. Before removing particular foods from your child’s diet, talk with your doctor to be sure your child’s nutritional needs will be met.
Also Check: Best Steroid Ointment For Eczema
How To Deal With Eczema In Children
Adverse medical conditions like eczema can affect anyone, including children. This skin disorder causes dry and itchy skin. It makes them uncomfortable, and it also affects their physical appearance. And because of that, children with eczema experience a negative impact on their quality of life.
Your job as parents is to identify eczema’s signs and symptoms. Remember, infant eczema is also possible. Moreover, it would be best to act fast when you recognize them. Eczema can lead to complications such as skin infections, hay fever, sleeping problems, and many more.
This article will cover the essentials of treating eczema in children. In addition, we’ll also go over the things you should avoid to minimize its risks and how to get rid of eczema. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our discussion.
How Can I Stop My Baby Itching
Keeping your babys skin well moisturised and controlling any flares are the best ways to reduce the itch.
Try to work out any individual factors that trigger your babys flares and try to avoid exposing them to irritants. Scratching is a response to itch but it can become a habit, too. So, keep your babys nails short and use sleepsuits with built-in mittens. Keep the bedroom cool: around 18°C.
You May Like: Can You Get Eczema On Your Neck
What Happens If My Baby’s Eczema Becomes Infected
skin infectionsBacterial infections
- ooze or weep fluid
- have a yellow, crusty appearance
- have small, yellow-white spots
Viral infections
- patches of eczema that are particularly painful for your baby, and get worse quickly
- fluid-filled blisters that burst, leaving small open sores on your baby’s skin
- a fever and seeming generally under the weather
Talk To A Doctor About Food Allergies
Its rare that your childs eczema flare-ups are caused by food allergies, but it is possible. If you have removed all potential environmental triggers and are applying a daily emollient but the flare-up refuses to go away, its time to consult your doctor or pediatrician. They can test your child for food allergies and help identify what might be irritating your childs sensitive skin.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Eczema Around Nose
Top Rated Products For Baby Eczema Include:
-
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy
-
Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Cream
-
Weleda Sensitive Care Face Cream
-
Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Cream
-
Babyganics Eczema Care Skin Protectant Cream
-
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
-
Triple Cream Eczema Care & Severe Dry Skin
-
Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Lotion
-
MG217 Eczema Baby Therapeutic Moisturizing Cream & Skin Protectant
-
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
Managing Eczema In Winter And Year Round: A Parents Guide
Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. Red, crusty, dry patches can be common on a baby’s skin, particularly in winter, and cause concern for parents. Such symptoms can be treated, however, and many babies and children do outgrow the dry, itchy skin of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
We spoke with pediatric dermatologist Katherine Puttgen to learn more.
Also Check: What Allergies Can Cause Eczema
Is A Cure Or Better Treatment For Eczema On The Horizon
Without a cure on the near horizon, we here at Johns Hopkins are creating an Eczema Day Treatment Unit to help our patients with moderate to severe eczema keep their symptoms under control and prevent flare-ups. We anticipate that this novel, multidisciplinary program will include experts from Child Life, behavioral psychology, allergy, dermatology and infectious diseases to provide the comprehensive care these children need care that cannot be provided in an average clinic visit.
A primary goal of the day treatment unit will be education children and their families will learn techniques such as wet-wrap therapy, to help deeply moisturize the skin. This therapy involves coating the skin with a topical ointment, followed by a greasy ointment like petroleum jelly, then dressing in wet pajamas, followed by dry pajamas, allowing the skin to soak in the moisture.
How Do You Care For Eczema
The first thing we do when taking care of eczema is to try to help the skin act as a better barrier. We use moisturizers to help create this barrier. All moisturizers should be fragrance-free, since fragranced products can be very irritating to people with eczema.
The best moisturizers are thick, greasy ointments like petroleum jelly. The next best thing are thicker creams that are scooped out of a tub. The best time to put on moisturizers is right away after a bath which helps seal in the moisture from the water.
It’s best to use moisturizers several times a day. For infants, it’s a good idea to keep a tub of cream at the diaper changing area and put on moisturizer each time you do a diaper change.
You May Like: How To Treat Pompholyx Eczema At Home
How Can Parents Help
Help prevent or treat eczema by keeping your child’s skin from getting dry or itchy and avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups. Try these suggestions:
- Kids should take short baths or showers in warm water. Use mild unscented soaps or non-soap cleansers and pat the skin dry before putting on cream or ointment. Teens should use unscented makeup and oil-free facial moisturizers.
- Ask your doctor if it’s OK to use oatmeal soaking products in the bath to help control itching.
- Kids should wear soft clothes that “breathe,” such as those made from cotton. Wool or polyester may be too harsh or irritating.
- Keep your child’s fingernails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Try having your child wear comfortable, light gloves to bed if scratching at night is a problem.
- Kids should avoid becoming overheated, which can lead to flare-ups.
- Kids should drink plenty of water, which adds moisture to the skin.
- Get rid of known allergens in your household and help your child avoid others, like pollen, mold, and tobacco smoke.
- Stress can make eczema worse. Help your child find ways to deal with stress .
Eczema On Legs Images
Eczema on legs can cause discomfort and be one of the most embarrassing skin conditions. Circular, flaky, red patches of skin can b clearly characterised on the lower legs of the ones having eczema. Eczema can be a long term problem, however, treatments can help manage and control the skin condition. Some people develop the symptoms like small, white scars, pain, brown discoloration of the skin and more if left untreated these can worsen the skin condition. Ensure to moisturise your skin on a daily basis to lock in the moisture inside your body. You can apply coconut oil, vaseline or other oils that can help you lock in moisture inside your body and keep your skin hydrated.
You May Like: Eczema On Hands And Arms
Brands That Produce Hypoallergenic Formulas
There is a variety of hypoallergenic formulas in the market today, one of the most popular brands of HA formulas is HiPP. HiPPis a German formula manufacturer with many decades of experience in making organic baby food products.
People are increasingly concerned about the quality of food that they eat. Most consumers tend to prefer organic foods over non-organic food products. Most people avoid GMO food products and favor products that are certified organic. The major difference between organic and non-organic formula is that organic formula is made according to strict regulations on organic production. This, among many other benefits, means that the products do not contain any GMOs, and farmed ingredients are grown without the use of hormones or pesticides.
The regulations require that organic food products be made using certified organic ingredients and certified processing aids. This means that some conventional processes are not allowed in the production of organic food products. For instance, the use of conventional fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics for livestock is strictly limited.
Hypoallergenic Formula For The Management Of Eczema For Babies With Milk Allergies
As mentioned earlier in this article, the best way to manage your babys eczema is to know and avoid the things that cause eczema flare-ups. Although milk allergies are not common in children, about 2 – 3% of babies have milk allergies. Eczema is one of the common symptoms of Cows Milk Protein Allergy.
Hypoallergenic formula is often recommended for babies that are allergic to milk protein. If you suspect that milk triggers eczema flare-ups in your baby, you should consult your doctor for a diagnosis. If your baby is at the risk of a milk protein allergy, you will have to give them hypoallergenic formula instead of the standard formula at your doctors recommendation.
Hypoallergenic formula is specifically formulated for babies who are at risk of being allergic to milk protein. Although hypoallergenic formula is made from cows milk, the allergy-causing protein is broken down in a process called hydrolysis. Hydrolysis breaks down the protein into smaller compounds that the baby can more easily digest. Consequently, the formula is less likely to trigger a potential allergic reaction when ingested.
Also Check: Coal Tar Shampoo For Eczema