How To Know If Your Eczema Is Infected

How Can I Tell My Child Has A Skin Infection

A skin infection can look a lot like eczema. Both cause swollen, itchy skin that can ooze fluid and form crusts. By looking closely at your childs skin, you can find signs of a skin infection.

Youll want to look for:

• Yellowish-orange or honey-colored crusts, often on top of eczema.

• Pus-filled blisters, especially on top of eczema.

• Sores that look like cold sores or fever blisters.

• Reddish, swollen bumps on skin.

• Streaks or redness spreading on skin.

Youll also want to check your child for:

• A fever

• Swollen tonsils and other lymph nodes

Infection or eczema?

A skin infection can look a lot like eczema. Looking for some common signs can help you spot a skin infection.

Checklist For Diagnosing Atopic Eczema

Typically, to be diagnosed with atopic eczema you should have had an itchy skin condition in the last 12 months and 3 or more of the following:

• visibly irritated red skin in the creases of your skin, such as the insides of your elbows or behind your knees at the time of examination by a health professional
• a history of skin irritation occurring in the same areas mentioned above
• generally dry skin in the last 12 months
• a history of asthma or hay fever children under 4 must have an immediate relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who has one of these conditions
• the condition started before the age of 2

Will Petroleum Jelly Help Ear Eczema

Petroleum jelly or skin care ointments can help treat your ear eczema. These products moisturize and protect your affected skin. Theyre hypoallergenic and have antibacterial and antifungal characteristics that help heal your skin.

Gently wash your ears with warm running water and mild soap. Then, use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or skin care ointment over your ears. Try to avoid touching your ears to prevent dirt or bacteria from entering the area.

Recommended Reading: How Can I Cure Eczema

Should I Be Wary Of Topical Steroids

Topical steroids, used appropriately and under medical supervision, are a safe and effective treatment for eczema. The likelihood of side effects occurring is directly related to the potency of the preparation, where it is being used, the condition of the skin on which it is used and the age of the user. All these factors will be taken into consideration when a prescription is given to treat eczema.

Pregnant women should consult their GP regarding the advisability of continued use of their usual topical steroid preparation.

Side effects such as skin thinning usually only occur when potent or very potent steroids have been applied for a long period of time to more delicate areas of skin, such as the face and neck, or flexures .

Cat Makes Sure To Change Her Razor Every Week Or So To Avoid Developing Folliculitis On Her Legs Again

OK.And so when you developed folliculitis on your legs did you what did you do about it how did you respond?Symptoms of infected eczema

• inflamed skin
• blistered skin, boils and cysts
• pus/weepy fluid coming out of the skin and crusts or scabs
• painful skin like youve got cuts everywhere
• high temperature
• feeling unwell and tired
• becoming confused and forgetful

Getting medical help and treating infected eczema

Recommended Reading: Eczema Back Of Neck Treatment

Staph Infections Are Most Common

Staphylococcus aureus, or staph for short, is a type of bacteria frequently found on our skins surface, but it appears to be found in even greater amounts on the skin of people with eczema. Eczema makes it more likely youll scratch your skin, creating small openings for the bacteria to enter. A staph infection may manifest itself in the following ways:

• Boils: Staph is the most common cause of boils. A boil develops when a hair follicle becomes infected and usually appears as a red, swollen lump. Boils are filled with pus that may break open and drain. They are most likely to appear on your head, face, neck, armpits, thighs, or buttocks.

• Impetigo: This type of skin infection is considered contagious. Impetigo is characterized by painful, oozing blisters that form honey-colored crusts on the open sores.

• Cellulitis: If the infection goes deep into your skin, cellulitis can develop. The affected area often becomes very red, warm, swollen and painful. You may feel ill and have a fever. Blisters, streaks on the skin, or ulcerations in the skin may appear. It is often seen on the lower extremities, though it can occur anywhere on your body.

Eczema-related bacterial infections, like staph, are generally easily treated with antibiotics. But its important to notify your doctor if you experience symptoms, so you can be evaluated and treated promptly.

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: What Probiotics Are Good For Eczema

Whats The Difference Between Dermatitis And Psoriasis

Psoriasis and dermatitis can appear similar. Both cause patches of red skin. However, in psoriasis, the scales are thick and the edges of those scales are well-defined.

Discuss with your healthcare provider your questions about which type of skin condition you have. You can have more than one skin condition at a time. Treatments for one may not work for the other.

Doctor’s Notes On Fungal Skin Infection Vs Eczema

The fungus candida commonly causes fungal skin infections , although some other types of fungi can cause infection as well. Examples of fungal skin infections include diaper rash, systemic candidiasis, candidal paronychia, and body rash. Eczema is a common skin condition that causes skin irritation and inflammation.

Symptoms and signs of candida fungal infections and eczema that are similar include:

• skin redness,
• itching , and
• red rash.

Symptoms and signs of fungal skin infections vary depending on the location of the infection and may also include:

• softened red skin in body fold areas,
• hot and painful skin, and
• discoloration of the fingernails and toenails.

Symptoms and signs of eczema also include:

• oozing or crusty sores.

What Is the Treatment for Fungal Skin Infection vs. Eczema?

Fungal infections of the skin are treated with antifungal medications. The exact type of treatment depends on the type of infection. Some infections may be resolved with an over-the-counter antifungal cream, while others may require prescription topical or oral medications to eradicate the infection.

Eczema treatment involves creams to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Some newer topical drugs affect the bodys immune reaction. Severe cases are sometimes treated with oral corticosteroid drugs. A new, injectable drug known as dupilumab may be used to treat severe cases that do not respond to other treatment options.

You May Like: Stress Related Eczema On Hands

Can People With Eczema Swim In A Pool Or In The Sea

As a form of exercise, swimming doesnt involve getting too hot and sweaty however, chlorine is a chemical irritant. Some people with eczema may experience irritation or drying of their skin others experience no negative effects .

If swimming indoors, apply your usual emollient 30 minutes before entering the pool, perhaps before you leave home to travel to the pool. Its a good idea to put on more cream than you usually would, so that it acts as a good barrier to the water. As soon as possible after swimming, shower off using your usual emollient wash/oil/gel. Then apply more leave-on cream than usual.

If swimming outdoors, be aware that emollients will increase your risk of sunburn. When you get out of the pool, after showering, apply emollient first and then sunscreen once the emollient has soaked in. This will prevent the sunscreen becoming diluted by the emollient and ensure that the sunscreen keeps its reflective properties and protects your skin.

My Partner And Son Both Have Eczema I Am Now Pregnant What Can I Do To Prevent My Baby From Getting Eczema

Unfortunately, there is no known way of preventing your baby from developing eczema. There is nothing you can do to alter your childs genetic risk, but you may choose to pay closer attention to caring for your babys skin and minimise exposure to potential triggers.

If youre starting to decorate your babys room, you might consider using laminate flooring and blinds rather than carpets and curtains, to reduce the babys exposure to house dust mites. However, the evidence showing a benefit in doing this is limited.

If your child does show signs of developing eczema despite your best efforts, you should not feel guilty. We would suggest seeking professional advice. If well-controlled, eczema is unlikely to have any long-term effects on your childs health and wellbeing.

Don’t Miss: What Causes Eczema In Adults

How Much Emollient Should I Apply

Use your emollient of choice frequently. Ideally, this will be every few hours, but should be at least twice a day, and every few hours if the eczema is flaring. It is recommended that an adult use at least 500g per week when the eczema is affecting a large area of the body. Apply emollient gently in the direction of hair growth. Never rub up and down vigorously, as this could trigger itching, block hair follicles and lead to infection in the hair follicles.

What Are The Most Common Nummular Eczema Symptoms

Avid coin collectors may recognize the prefix num from the word numismatics, which is the study of coins and money. Thats because nummular eczema was named after its most defining characteristic: the clearly defined coin shape the skin spots tend to take, according to Dr. Silverberg. Dermatologists sometimes refer to this eczema type as discoid eczema, another reference to its signature circular marks.

Shape aside, the AAD says nummular eczema symptoms can be identified by:

• Skin sores: These start as a cluster of tiny solid or fluid-filled bumps that are usually found on the arms and legs. If you had a recent injury, like a scrape on your knee, the sores may appear in that general area.
• Spots or lesions: The inflamed, coin-shaped bumps may appear brown or gray on medium-to-deep skin tones and pink to red on fair-to-medium skin. The lesions are typically raised and scaly, can grow in size , and may last for weeks or even months.
• Itchy, dry skin: Generally, the skin surrounding the lesions is dry and may peeland the spots themselves can really itch or burn.
• Raised lesions that flatten out: Usually, the spots flatten during the healing process. The middle area of the skin lesion starts to fade away first.

Also Check: Do I Have Eczema On My Scalp

The Rash Isnt Responding To Regular Treatments

Most kids with eczema have an established treatment routine. This may involve applying ointment or moisturizer, giving your child specialized baths, using wet-wrap therapy or undergoing another treatment prescribed by your pediatrician or dermatologist. While there is no cure for eczema, these treatments usually can provide some relief from its symptoms.

If your childs skin rash seems to worsen in response to their treatment routine though, this could be a sign of infection. Why? Treatments for eczema might only aggravate an infection more.

Whether your child has a bacterial, viral or other form of infection, the treatments differ from those prescribed for eczema. Antibiotic creams and pills are used to treat bacterial infections. Antifungal creams and pills are used to treat fungal infections. And antiviral creams and pills or just simple supportive care are used to treat viral infections.

Overall, when in doubt, talk to your pediatrician or dermatologist. Or, in the case of high fever or other serious symptoms, seek urgent care. Not everything that is red and swollen is an infection, but its always best to make sure.

What Is Nummular Eczema

Nummular eczema is one of the numerous forms of eczema, which is an umbrella of skin conditions that can cause inflamed, dry, itchy, or scaly skin, as well as uncomfortable or even painful skin rashes. In the case of nummular eczema, the patches usually appear on the legs, forearms, or backs of the hands, according to the American Academy of Dermatology . Nummular eczema typically presents as circular itchy patches, which may look pink or red on lighter skin tones and dark brown or gray on deeper skin tones, according to the Skin of Color Society.

Generally, all eczema is caused by a disruption in the skin barrier, which is the outermost layer of your skin that is responsible for keeping irritants out and locking essential moisture in, according to the AAD. Nummular eczema is not contagious, meaning it doesnt spread from person to person.

Its not totally clear how common nummular eczema is. Some research estimates that 1 out of every 1,000 people have nummular eczema, while other studies report that 9 out of every 100 people live with the condition. Since people with nummular eczema often have other skin conditions as well, some individuals may attribute their symptoms to something else and never seek additional treatment. Or nummular eczema symptoms may go undetected by providers who arent skin specialists.

Also Check: What Are The First Signs Of Eczema

What Should I Do If My Child Seems To Have A Skin Infection

Flu-like symptoms or a fever : Get immediate medical care.

Signs of infection without fever: If you see signs but your child seems the same as usual, contact your childs dermatologist.

If you are using wet-wrap therapy, occlusion , or soak and smear, stop. These can worsen the infection. Before using one of these treatments again, ask your childs dermatologist when its safe to start.

Ways To Tell If Its Eczema Or A Skin Infection

Eczema is a skin condition that affects many infants and children. Although its symptoms of dry, itchy and flaky skin are usually mild, eczema can become more than just a nuisance. The more severe forms of this condition can lead to skin infections when bacteria, viruses and other germs enter the body through bleeding and cracking skin.

A skin infection can look a lot like the more serious form of eczema, making it difficult for parents to decipher their childs symptoms. Luckily, there are a few guidelines to follow. If your little one is suffering from swollen, itchy, crusty and/or oozing skin, here are three ways you can tell if they have eczema or a skin infection.

Recommended Reading: Best Disposable Diapers For Eczema

How Much Topical Steroid Should I Apply

There are guidelines on the amount of topical steroid required to cover body areas that are affected by eczema. The guideline amount varies depending on your age. The guideline is based on the Finger Tip Unit , which is the amount of cream or ointment that just covers the end of an adult finger from the tip to the crease of the first joint when squeezed from an ordinary tube nozzle. One FTU is enough to cover an area of skin the size of two adult hands with the fingers together. Adjustments will be required if the whole area is not covered by eczema. Further information is often provided in the leaflet supplied with your treatment, or can be found in our factsheet on Topical steroids.

How Is Weeping Eczema Treated

Weeping eczema treatment depends on what caused your condition. There are several options that can help manage your symptoms. These include:

• Corticosteroids: Topical steroids can help reduce inflammation and itchiness. In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe oral steroids, such as prednisone.
• Antihistamines: Commonly used for allergies, these medications are taken in pill form to reduce the itchiness associated with eczema.
• Immunosuppressants: These medications help lower your bodys immune response. As a result, inflammation is reduced.

If a secondary infection has developed, other medications may be needed.

Read Also: What Kind Of Doctor Should I See For Eczema

When Should My Baby Go To The Doctor For Eczema Treatment

If your baby has symptoms of eczema and at-home treatments have not helped, make an appointment with your pediatrician.

If your baby’s eczema is crusty, oozing fluid, or if your baby is showing any other signs of infection , call your pediatrician right away. Eczema rashes can become infected and may require antibiotic treatment.

What Is Infected Eczema

Our skin is a finely balanced ecosystem of bacteria, and Eczema increases the risk of disrupting the ecosystem causing something called Infected Eczema, this is also known as a Staph Infection.

At any given time there are a health amount of Staph bacteria on our skin, but Eczema, which via scratching breaks the skin barrier as well as introducing bad bacteria from the nails we use to scratch, disrupts the ecosystem on the skin and increases the risk of getting a Staph Infection or Infected Eczema. Eczema also increases the chance to get other types of skin infections as well.

In all cases infected Eczema is to be taken seriously because not only is your Eczema infected, it also means your skin barrier is now compromised and the infection is likely traversing in your blood and to other parts of your body, which may become dangerous, or at the very least make you feel very very sick.

Read Also: What Does Eczema Look Like In Adults

How Is Eczema Treated What Medications Are Used

Treating eczema can be difficult if the cause is something you cant control, like genetics. Fortunately, you may have some influence over your environment and stress levels. Do your best to figure out what triggers or worsens your eczema, and then avoid it. The goal is to reduce itching and discomfort and prevent infection and additional flare-ups.

Consider these treatment tips:

If your child has skin problems, such as eczema, you can:

• Avoid long, hot baths, which can dry the skin. Use lukewarm water instead and give your child sponge baths.
• Apply lotion immediately after bathing while the skin is still moist. This will help trap moisture in the skin.
• Keep the room temperature as regular as possible. Changes in room temperature and humidity can dry the skin.
• Keep your child dressed in cotton. Wool, silk and manmade fabrics such as polyester can irritate the skin.
• Use mild laundry soap and make sure that clothes are well rinsed.
• Watch for skin infections. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice an infection.
• Help them avoid rubbing or scratching the rash.
• Use moisturizers several times daily. In infants with eczema, moisturizing on a regular basis is extremely helpful.