Baby Eczema Flare Up Treatment

How Does Baby Eczema Affect My Childs Skin

Baby eczema makes your babys skin dry, itchy and sensitive. This happens because your babys protective barrier on the outermost layer of their skin is weak and doesnt work as expected. Their symptoms can last for a couple of weeks each time theres a flare-up of symptoms.

Baby eczema is a chronic condition, where it can come and go unexpectedly. Some children grow out of the condition when they reach adulthood but will still experience symptoms of dry skin or mild flare-ups throughout their life.

What Causes Eczema In Children

Researchers dont know exactly what causes baby eczema, but they believe its most likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Eczema is not contagious.

Infants are more likely to develop eczema if family members have a history of eczema, hay fever, or asthma.

While these conditions dont cause one another, infants are more likely to develop hay fever or asthma if they already have baby eczema.

Scientists believe eczema results from an immune-system dysfunction that affects the skin barrier and its ability to hold in moisture.

Emollients And Fire Safety

Lotions, creams or ointments used to moisturise your childs skin are also known as emollients.

Emollients are very effective at treating chronic dry skin conditions, such as eczema.

But it is important to be aware of the fire risk linked with them.

Emollients won’t cause a fire on their own. But if there is a build-up of emollient residue on clothing and bedding, this can quicken the speed of a fire.

Do not smoke near your baby or allow them near naked flames:

• while they are wearing emollient
• if they are wearing clothes or bandages that may have emollient on them

There is a fire risk with all paraffin-containing emollients. There may also even be a fire risk with paraffin-free emollients. There might also be a fire risk with other products that you put on skin over large body areas for more than a few days.

Washing clothing or fabric at a high temperature may reduce emollient build-up. But it might not totally remove it.

Read Also: Uv Light Treatment For Eczema

Symptoms Of Atopic Eczema

Atopic eczema causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore.

Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.

Inflamed skin can become red on lighter skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on darker skin. This can also be more difficult to see on darker skin.

Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children.

People with atopic eczema usually have periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe .

The Difference Between Child And Adult Eczema

There is very little difference between child eczema and adult eczema. The main difference is the frequency with which flare-ups occur. As your child grows older, their skin becomes thicker and less sensitive. And with the right ongoing treatment, the occurrence of eczema flare-ups can be reduced.

So now that you know a bit about eczema, what causes flare-ups, and the difference between baby, child, and adult eczema, lets turn our attention to treatment and prevention.

Read Also: Where To Buy Neosporin Eczema Essentials

Plans For Children With Eczema

In severe cases, a 504 plan may be considered for a student. A 504 plan is a provision of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based upon disability. A 504 plan can be used to address physical, medical, or learning issues. All schools, school administrators, and teachers must comply with a 504 plan.

In developing a 504 plan, parents discuss and map out with the school all of the details regarding a childs disability. You might talk about which activities your child needs to opt out of or what can be done to help your child to accomplish a certain goal or task . Every 504 plan is unique, as it is based on a particular individuals needs.

• National Eczema Association | 505 San Marin Drive, #B300 | Novato, CA 94945
• 415-499-3474 or 800-818-7546

NEA is a qualified 501 EIN 93-0988840

NEA is a qualified 501 EIN 93-0988840

Get the latest eczema news delivered to your inbox.

• Advances in research and treatments
• Lifestyle tips and hacks

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your childâs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Baby Eczema Naturally

What Can Trigger My Baby’s Eczema Flare

• soaps, bath and skincare products, and laundry detergents
• synthetic or woollen fabrics, or clothes made using certain dyes
• environmental allergens, such as pets , pollen and household dust
• food allergens , such as milk, egg, wheat, soya and peanuts
• unusually hot or cold environments

What To Do About Itching

Try to keep your baby from scratching their itchy skin. Scratching can make the rash worse, lead to an infection, and cause the irritated skin to get thicker and more leathery.

Trim their nails often, and then take the edge off of them with a file if you can. Some parents also slip “scratch mittens” onto their little one’s hands. Others try long socks, tucked in under a long-sleeved shirt, so they’re harder for a baby to remove. View a slideshow to get more eczema skin care tips.

Recommended Reading: How Often Should I Shower With Eczema

How To Treat And Prevent Childhood Eczema

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin problem that can affect newborns, babies, children, and adults. Symptoms include dry, red, itchy skin that can flare up in the presence of a number of allergens and environmental factors.

In babies, eczema flare-ups can first appear between birth and three months. With the right treatment, those flare-ups will eventually disappear, but the potential for future flare-ups will always remain. For children, then, prevention is the key to keeping these uncomfortable dry, itchy patches at bay.

But what exactly is eczema? What causes flare-ups to occur? And what is the difference between baby, child, and adult eczema? The experts at Mustela will answer all those questions and give you seven steps to treat and prevent your childs eczema flare-ups.

How Is Eczema Diagnosed

There is no specific test used to diagnose eczema. The doctor will look at the rash and ask about symptoms, the child’s past health, and the family’s health. If family members have any atopic conditions, that’s an important clue.

The doctor will rule out other conditions that can cause skin inflammation, and might recommend that your child see a dermatologist or an allergist.

The doctor may ask you to ban some foods from your child’s diet, switch detergents or soaps, or make other changes for a time to see if your child is reacting to something.

Also Check: Best Diaper Rash Cream For 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.

Eucerin Urea Repair Face Cream

Just as the name suggests, this Eucerin face cream includes urea as the key ingredient. Urea is a multi-tasking skin care ingredient that exhibits five main functions: retaining moisture, barrier maintenance, exfoliation, increasing permeability, and providing pain and itch relief.

One way that urea provides these benefits is because its a component of the skins natural moisturizing factor . According to an article by Practical Dermatology,

the NMF is composed principally of free amino acids, as well as lactic acid and urea. All of these substances work together to keep the skins surface intact, supple, and hydrated.

The NMF can become depleted as we age, and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. The result is visibly dry, tight-feeling, flaky skin.

Therefore, using skin care products that replenish the components of the NMF such as urea in Eucerin Urea Repair Face Cream can help to reduce dryness and tightness to keep it soft, smooth and healthy.

Bottom Line: The urea in Eucerin Urea Repair Face Cream helps to replenish the skins NMF, thereby reducing dryness and tightness to keep it soft, smooth, and healthy.

Read Also: Organic Skin Care For Eczema

Apply A Sunscreen Before Your Child Goes Outside

To protect your childs skin from becoming irritated by the sun, always apply a sunscreen before they go outside. Even better yet, we recommend following the below steps:

• Apply an emollient first .
• Cover your childs skin with a high-SPF sunscreen like Mustelas SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen. Be sure to reapply often if your child will be outside for more than 2 hours.
• Finish by dressing your child in long pants, long sleeves, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Treating Eczema In Babies And Toddlers

Eczema is not contagious. You cant catch it from someone else.

For most types of eczema, including atopic eczema, managing flares comes down to these basics:

• Know your childs particular triggers to avoid exposure
• Implement a daily bathing and moisturizing routine to protect skin and lock in moisture
• Useover-the-counter and prescription medication consistently and as prescribed to curb symptoms

There is no cure for eczema but there are treatments and more are coming. These include OTC remedies, prescription topical medications, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants.

Eczema, especially atopic dermatitis , may look and act very differently as your child gets older. Its important to understand which type of eczema they may have and their symptoms and triggers so that you can better treat and manage it as they grow and change. The only way to be sure what type of eczema your child has is to make an appointment with your doctor.

Don’t Miss: What Can Make Eczema Flare Up

What Is An Eczema Flare

Eczema is the medical term for certain skin conditions in people with dry, sensitive skin that tends to get very itchy and develop rashes. Eczema usually comes and goes. When it becomes active, it’s called a flare-up.

A flare often occurs in response to a trigger, which may be an allergy, irritant, emotional state, or environmental condition. The itching can be very intense, making it hard not to scratch, but scratching makes it worse. The itch-scratch cycle can lead to skin damage or infection and make you miserable.

Complementary And Alternative Treatments

There are several natural treatments that have been shown to be effective controlling eczema symptoms. Many of these studies looked the effects on adults, so be sure to consult with your childs doctor prior to starting any natural treatments for eczema.

• National Eczema Association | 505 San Marin Drive, #B300 | Novato, CA 94945
• 415-499-3474 or 800-818-7546

You May Like: Severe Eczema Flare Up Treatment

Skin Barrier Dysfunction And Eczema In Infants

The other possible cause of eczema is a defective skin barrier. Some people have a genetic mutation where their body doesnt produce a key protein called filaggrin. This protein is what makes the skin soft and springy. Filaggrin also helps prevent excessive water loss through the skin.

This leads to dry, cracked, itchy skin that we know as eczema.

Other people may have a less healthy skin microbiome. Having the right microbes on your skin can help create and enhance its strength. The outermost skin wall is made of dead cells and ceramides . Humans dont make their own ceramides, the bacteria do. With the wrong bacteria, you can lose the mortar, causing cracks in the skin, which allows bad bacteria like staph A to infect the skin and cause irritation.

Read Also: What Is Eczema On The Face

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: How To Cure Eczema On Fingers

How To Use Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream

Use this product as directed. Some products require priming before use. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Some products need to be shaken before use. Check the label to see if you should shake the bottle well before using. Apply to the affected areas of the skin as needed or as directed on the label or by your doctor. How often you apply the medication will depend on the product and your skin condition. To treat dry hands, you may need to use the product every time you wash your hands, applying it throughout the day.

If you are using this product to help treat diaper rash, clean the diaper area well before use and allow the area to dry before applying the product.

If you are using this product to help treat radiationskin burns, check with radiation personnel to see if your brand can be applied before radiation therapy.

Follow all the directions on the label for proper use. Apply to the skin only. Avoid sensitive areas such as your eyes, inside your mouth/nose, and the vaginal/groin area, unless the label or your doctor directs you otherwise. Check the label for directions about any areas or types of skin where you should not apply the product . Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

Lets Learn From Each Other

As a doctor, I learn continuously from my patients, and I know that all of my patients and families are unique. Each person is an individual each family has their individual issues. But you are not alone. Birds of a feather who flock together are happier. You are fortunate to have a support organization like the National Eczema Association. Not all patients do.

Don’t Miss: Are Hot Showers Bad For Eczema

When Should I See My Babys Healthcare Provider

Visit your healthcare provider if your babys skin shows signs of an infection. Babies diagnosed with eczema are at a high risk of developing an infection because the protective barrier of their skin doesnt work as it should. Scratching can also break open your babys skin, exposing their body to bacteria or viruses that can get into their body. Signs of an infection include:

• Fluid-filled blisters or sores.
• A yellow crust forms around their eczema rash.
• Swelling and a dark red to purple tone to their rash.
• Pain or sensitivity to the touch.

Ways To Prevent Baby Eczema

Eczema itself cannot be prevented, but knowing and avoiding triggers can help prevent flare-ups of the condition.

Some ways to reduce triggers include:

• Keep your child out of cold, dry air.
• If they are 6 months or older, make sure your child gets an annual flu shot.
• Read labels on products to help your family avoid common irritants.
• Double-rinse your laundry to remove detergent residue.

Don’t Miss: Best Aveeno Body Wash For Eczema

Eau Thermale Avene Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream

If we talk about creams for eczema, Eau Thermal Avene cannot be absent because it has natural ingredients with healing properties to calm and heal the skin, penetrate deep into it and regenerate until providing long-lasting and fast relief.

It also provides anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, thanks to the fact that it has ingredients such as chamomile, calendula and evening primrose and these counteract ulcers, skin rashes and much more.

It also promotes cell granulation and regeneration, and its formulation is 100% vegan as well as natural and safe. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.

Also Check: Eye Cream For Eye Eczema