Dont Forget The Laundry Room
Those same rules apply to the laundry room as well. Make sure you purchase fragrance-free laundry detergent and wash your childs sheets and pillow cases every week. It can make a huge impact on eliminating those triggers!
After we had done all of that, the dermatologist sent us over to the allergist. It was to look for food and environment allergens that could be triggering the itch.
Things You Can Do When Your Childs Eczema Gets Bad
- By Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Follow me on Twitter @drClaire
Its winter, and in many parts of the country that means cold, windy weather and dry, chapped skin. For all of us that can be a problem, but for people who have eczema it can be miserable.
As a pediatrician, I have lots of patients with eczema. Each one of them is different, of course, with different triggers for their eczema and different therapies that help. But when eczema gets bad when parts of the skin get very irritated and scaly there are three things that help just about everybody.
1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! This may seem obvious, but I cant overstate its importance and helpfulness. When it comes to picking a moisturizer, think greasy when eczema gets tough. This kind of moisturizer is called an emollient. Even just petroleum jelly, or hydrated petrolatum, which are both widely available, can really help dry, irritated skin. And while they feel greasy when you put them on, usually the skin soaks them right up. Applying emollients two or three times a day can really help when things get tough and can also help prevent eczema from flaring.
Right after the bath you want to put on any steroids or moisturizers. And then, you might want to consider
As with any chronic medical condition, eczema is best managed when you work together with your doctor and come up with a plan both for treating flares and for preventing them in the first place.
What Triggers My Childs Eczema Or Causes It To Get Worse
Some of the most common eczema triggers include:
Even your babys stuffed animals may be a trigger for eczema
- Dry skin
- Infection
- Allergens such as pet dander, pollen or dust
Your childs eczema may be worse in the winter when the air is dry. Saliva from drooling can also cause irritation on your babys cheeks, chin and neck.
The best way to manage your childs eczema is by getting to know their symptoms and triggers so that you can help keep it under control.
Don’t Miss: Eczema And Food Allergy The Hidden Cause
What Are The Symptoms Of Seborrheic Dermatitis In Children
Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis appears on the infants face, especially around the eyes and nose area. It can also appear in the diaper area and in the folds of babies skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis in infants typically goes away at ages 6 to 12 months. Dandruff usually persists into adulthood.
In infants and children, seborrheic dermatitis can appear on the scalp or body as:
A severe case of seborrheic dermatitis in an infant. Note the yellowish crust and scale.
- Yellow crust
- Red skin with white or yellow flakes on top
- Pink patches that join with the red skin
- Swollen areas of skin
For the most part, babies are unbothered by the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. For more severe cases, it is important to be on the lookout for any signs of infection such as skin that feels hot, weeps fluid or smells bad. Contact your health care provider if you suspect your child has an infection.
Seborrheic Dermatitis In Children
Seborrheic dermatitis on an infants scalp is known as cradle cap.
Seborrheic dermatitis occurs in areas of the body where there are a lot of oil-producing glands such as the scalp, nose and back. In infants, seborrheic dermatitis usually appears on the scalp and is commonly known as cradle cap. In older children and adults, seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is typically called dandruff.
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of factors including genes, yeast that lives naturally on the skin, stress, chemical irritants and/or dry, cold weather that causes the skin to overproduce oil. In infants, researchers believe seborrheic dermatitis is triggered in part by hormones from the mother.
Unlike other forms of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis is not the result of an allergy.
Also Check: Get Rid Of Eczema Patches
Control The Heat And Humidity
While eczema itself can sometimes be dry, this skin condition is typically worsened by heat and humidity. Consider keeping your home a bit drier and cooler as a way of managing and preventing flare-ups.
Some people, however, experience flare-ups during the dry winter months. If this is you, using a humidifier can help ease your eczema symptoms.
Body heat can also play a role. Wearing breathable fabrics such as cotton can help heat escape from your body. Taking cool showers after workouts may also help.
Baby Eczema Risk Factors And The Environment
While baby eczema is the result of immune-system dysfunction, likely from a genetic predisposition, studies have found a number of risk factors.
For example, a study published in February 2018 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggested that children have a higher risk of developing eczema if their mothers experienced high-stress situations during pregnancy.
In a study published in May 2018 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers in the United Kingdom analyzed the sociodemographic characteristics of about 675,000 children in a primary-care database. They found that the children were more likely to be diagnosed with eczema if they fit one of the following descriptions:
- Male
- Black Caribbean
- Of high socioeconomic status
Another study, published in May 2018 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, looked at how the outdoor environment specifically air pollutants and meteorological conditions affected eczema risk in children of both sexes. The researchers concluded that high levels of carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, lead, particulate matter, and ozone levels may all influence the development of infantile eczema.
Recommended Reading: Will My Baby’s Eczema Go Away
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.
What Does Eczema Look Like In A Toddler
Eczema can look different in all children. It can even look different in your own child over time.
But for the most part, eczema in toddlers is characterized by dry, scaly patches of skin with pink or red raised bumps. Sometimes blisters can form. When they pop and ooze, they may leave a crust on the skin.
Recommended Reading: Steroid Ear Drops 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 .
Why Did My Child Develop Eczema
The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Researchers do know that children who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When something outside the body switches on the immune system, skin cells dont behave as they should causing flare ups.
We also know that children who come from families with a history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or hay fever are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Eczema Patches On Legs
Atopic Dermatitis Asthma And Allergies
Atopic dermatitis can exist with other known medical conditions. These other conditions are called comorbidities.
Atopic dermatitis is part of a group of allergic conditions. In fact, atopic means allergy. These include, asthma, hay fever and food allergies. If a child has one of these conditions, the likelihood of developing another atopic condition is increased. Contact dermatitis is also considered atopic, though its connection to asthma and hay fever is unknown.
About 50 percent of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis develop allergic asthma. Symptoms of allergic asthma include:
- Coughing
Simple Toddler Eczema Treatment #: Cut Out The Cows Milk Products
After a lot of testing, the allergist discovered that the girls had mild allergies to eggs, oak trees and cows milk.
I was surprised to find out that toddler eczema is often an external reaction to something going on in the inside. This means that making small adjustments to your childs diet can have a huge impact on the amount and severity of flare-ups.
The first thing usually recommended is to remove cows milk from your childs diet. This study showed that switching your child from a cows milk formula to a goats milk formula can cause drastic improvements.
If youre constantly battling with toddler eczema at home, I would recommend signing up for a free can of Kabrita and giving it a try for a week to see what happens. Youve got nothing to lose , and only smooth itch-free toddler skin to gain.
Recommended Reading: Manuka Honey Rescue Cream Eye Eczema
Try Wet Wrap Treatments
Wet wraps can increase moisture intake. A caregiver can take the following steps to apply a wet wrap to the toddler after bathing them and before putting them to bed:
Toddlers with eczema may be more prone to infections that require treatment with antibiotics. However, a caregiver can help prevent infections by giving a toddler diluted bleach baths 23 times a week.
The American Academy of Pediatrics gives the following instructions for a diluted bleach bath:
How To Use Topical Corticosteroids
Do not be afraid to apply the treatment to affected areas to control your eczema.
Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This will give details of how much to apply.
Most people only have to apply it once a day as there’s no evidence there’s any benefit to applying it more often.
When using a topical corticosteroid:
- apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes until the emollient has soaked into your skin, or apply the corticosteroid at a different time of day
- apply the recommended amount of the topical corticosteroid to the affected area
- continue to use it until 48 hours after the flare-up has cleared so the inflammation under the skin surface is treated
Occasionally, your doctor may suggest using a topical corticosteroid less frequently, but over a longer period of time. This is designed to help prevent flare-ups.
This is sometimes called weekend treatment, where a person who has already gained control of their eczema uses the topical corticosteroid every weekend on the trouble sites to prevent them becoming active again.
Read Also: Best Allergy Pill For Eczema
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Eczema
The signs of eczema :
- are mainly dry, itchy skin. Because it is so itchy, it is often called “the itch that rashes.”
- include redness, scales, and bumps that can leak fluid and then crust over
- tend to come and go. When they get worse, it is called a flare-up.
- may be more noticeable at night
Symptoms can vary:
- Infants younger than 1 year old usually have the eczema rash on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. It may spread to the knees, elbows, and trunk .
- Older kids and teens usually get the rash in the bends of the elbows, behind the knees, on the neck, or on the inner wrists and ankles. Their skin is often scalier and drier than when the eczema first began. It also can be thicker, darker, or scarred from all the scratching .
Am I Dealing With Toddler Eczemaor Something Else
Scientists arent 100% sure what causes eczema, but the current belief is that it is a genetic disposition that is triggered by something inside or outside of the body. This, in turn, causes the skin to get inflamed and inflamed skin itches.
Once youve crossed that itchy line, though its hard to stop, since itching actually makes it itch moreand round and round the crazy carousel we go.
Since we cant do much about genetics , the logical path towards a toddler eczema treatment is to try to stop the triggers. Here are some of the most common toddler eczema triggers:
- Food reactions from cows milk, soy, wheat, fish, peanuts and eggs.
- Certain metalsmost commonly nickel
- Cigarette smoke
- Fabrics like wool or polyester
- Antibacterial ointments
- Certain home products like soaps, cleaners, disinfectants, baby wipes, etc.
Here are four simple toddler eczema treatments that will do the trick, no matter which type youre dealing with!
Recommended Reading: What Is Good For Eczema On Body
How Is Atopic Dermatitis Treated In A Child
Treatment will depend on your childs symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. There is no cure for atopic dermatitis. The goals of treatment are to ease itching and inflammation, add moisture, and prevent infection.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis includes:
-
Staying away from irritants, as advised by your child’s healthcare provider
-
Bathing with a gentle cleaner or body wash advised by the healthcare provider
-
Keeping your child’s fingernails short, to help prevent scratching that can cause skin irritation and infection
-
Using moisturizing lotion advised by the healthcare provider
Your child’s healthcare provider may also prescribe medicines. They may be used alone or together. The following are most commonly used to treat atopic dermatitis:
Upgraded Toddler Eczema Bath Treatments
Thats the standard procedure for Soak and Seal, but what if your child has had a MASSIVE flareup and you need to kick up the potency of your evening bath? Try one of these upgraded toddler eczema treatments:
- Sprinkle baking soda into the bath water.
- Kill off any bacteria triggering this toddler eczema by adding ¼ cup of bleach to a half-full tub of water. Soak your toddler for 10 minutes, then rinse off. Do this 2-3 times a week, but since some people can be sensitive to bleach or chlorine fumes, you should check with your doctor before using this method. I wouldnt add any toys to the tub, and watch carefully to make sure he doesnt drink the water. Bath crayons are a good 10-minute distraction here!
- If your toddler cries that the bathwater is stinging his open sores, add 1 cup of table salt to the lukewarm water. It will make a big difference!
You May Like: Best Laundry Detergent For Babies With Eczema
What Causes Pompholyx
It’s not clear exactly what causes pompholyx, but it may be triggered or made worse by:
- a fungal skin infection this may be on the hands or at a distant site from the blisters and will need treating
- a reaction to something that has touched your skin such as certain metals , detergents, household chemicals, soap, shampoo, cosmetic products or perfume
- stress
- sweating pompholyx is more common in spring and summer, in warmer climates, and in people with excessive sweating
How To Use Emollients
Use your emollient all the time, even if you’re not experiencing symptoms.
Many people find it helpful to keep separate supplies of emollients at work or school, or a tub in the bathroom and one in a living area.
To apply the emollient:
- use a large amount
- do not rub it in smooth it into the skin in the same direction the hair grows
- after a bath or shower, gently pat the skin dry and apply the emollient while the skin is still moist to keep the moisture in
You should use an emollient at least twice a day if you can, or more often if you have very dry skin.
During a flare-up, apply generous amounts of emollient more frequently, but remember to treat inflamed skin with a topical corticosteroid as emollients used on their own are not enough to control it.
Do not put your fingers into an emollient pot use a spoon or pump dispenser instead, as this reduces the risk of infection. And never share your emollient with other people.
Read Also: Why Do I Have Eczema On My Elbows