What Causes Eczema In Babies And Toddlers
The redness, dryness, itching and other symptoms of eczema in babies occur when something in the environment causes the immune system to overreact. There are a wide variety of baby eczema triggers, including dry skin, rough fabrics, soaps, detergents, heat, sweat, infections and allergens such as dust, pollen and pet dander.1
Key Points To Remember About Eczema In Children
- eczema is a dry, itchy skin condition
- you can usually control your child’s eczema by using lots of moisturiser, a bath once a day and using steroids when your child’s skin has active eczema
- avoid things which irritate your child’s skin, especially soap
- go to your family doctor as soon as possible if your child’s eczema doesn’t improve after treatment or becomes infected
Topical Natural Cures For Eczema In Children
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is a simple natural remedy to start with when trying to relieve a child’s eczema. This can be used as often as needed. Diluted Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is another natural treatment that has helped may Earth Clinic Readers. Add 2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 cup of water, and apply with a cotton ball as needed, even every couple of hours. The mixture can be made stronger or weaker depending upon how the child responds to this treatment. A salve made with the herb Calendula in it may be of help, if you can find a quality salve, or better yet, make your own!
Recommended Reading: Does Shea Butter Help With Eczema
What Causes Atopic Dermatitis In A Child
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known. But some things are linked to it. They include:
-
Genes. This skin problem can be passed on from parents to a child.
-
Immune system. An immune system that isnt fully developed may affect how much protection the skin can give.
-
External factors. These include being in winter weather, using hot water for bathing, using soap, and being in dry, hot temperatures.
Try The Following Home Remedy For Cradle Cap:
- National Eczema Association | 505 San Marin Drive, #B300 | Novato, CA 94945
- 415-499-3474 or 800-818-7546
Recommended Reading: How To Control Baby Eczema
Be Willing To Try Different Things
Experiment with different ways to stop scratching and learn a few methods that work for your child. Keep in mind that whatâs helpful one day may not work on another. So have backup strategies ready.
Show Sources
Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego professor of pediatrics and medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
FamilyDoctor.org: “Eczema: Tips on How to Care for Your Skin.”
National Eczema Association: “Bathing and Moisturizing.”
EczemaNet: “Wet Wraps Can Relieve Severe Eczema,” “Preventing Flare-Ups.”
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: “Atopic Dermatitis.”
What You Can Do
You can help reduce your child’s discomfort by:
- keeping their fingernails short to reduce the damage to their skin from scratching
- washing them with aqueous cream instead of soap – ask your pharmacist about aqueous creams and always follow the instructions on the product
- using non-biological detergent and a double rinse cycle when washing their clothes or bedding
- avoiding herbal, ‘natural’ or alternative creams – these can make eczema worse, as they may contain bacteria or high doses of steroids
- rinsing and drying them well after swimming
- dressing them in cool, breathable fabrics like cotton
- keeping them away from anyone with a cold sore – as the cold sore virus can cause eczema to become infected
- using extra moisturiser on areas your child scratches a lot
- avoiding anything you know that causes your childs eczema to get worse
Around 6 out of 10 children with eczema will grow out of it by the time they’re teenagers.
Don’t Miss: When To See A Doctor About Eczema
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
- asthma
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.
New Innovations In The Treatment Of Eczema In Children
Tacrolimus ointment this is an investigational ointment currently being tested in the U.S. for the treatment of eczema. It suppresses the part of the immune system that is responsible for the eczema rash and itching. This ointment is showing great promise, and will hopefully be available soon. It appears to be just as effective as steroid creams but does not have many of the side effects that the steroids have.
Recommended Reading: Why Does Eczema Come And Go
My 2 Year Old Has An Eczema Spot That Resembles Ringworm It Appears To Be Drying Up But It Has Also Gotten Bigger Is There Anything We Can Put On I
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
Related questions
Found in:
People also asked
When To See A Doctor
While you can do a lot to control your babys eczema, sometimes you have to seek medical attention. Look out for the following signs and see a doctor if any of these occur.
- Unresponsiveness to over-the-counter medications. There are a lot of over-the-counter creams available that can sooth eczema. These ointments are very good at treating eczema for your baby. If they arent working, however, you should see a doctor to get prescription medicine instead.
- Changes in responsiveness to prescription medicine. Just because one medicine is working today doesnt mean it will always work. If you have prescription medication for your babys eczema and you see it doesnt work as well as it previously did to control symptoms, its time to reevaluate the medicine. Your doctor will be able to examine your baby and see if another medicine will be better.
- Appearance of yellow crust on the eczema patches. Yellow crust indicates that there may be a bacterial infection. This needs to be checked out immediately by a doctor because if it goes untreated, it will get worse. Your doctor will be able to determine if antibiotics should be prescribed to stop the infection.
- Development of pus-filled blisters on the eczema patches. Blisters are also a sign that there may be an infection. They are also very painful and a sign that the eczema isnt being managed adequately. A doctor can evaluate your management plan and make adjustments, so you can better control your childs eczema symptoms.
Also Check: Is Dermatitis The Same As Eczema
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.
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
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Eczema On Upper Lip
When To Call A Doctor
Make the call if your babys eczema doesnt begin to get better within a week of starting over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. It may be time for a prescription medicine.
Also check with your doctor if yellow or light brown crust or pus-filled blisters appear on top of the eczema. This could be the sign of a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics.
You should call your doctor if your baby is around anyone who has cold sores or genital herpes. Eczema can make your little one more likely to pick up those germs.
Rethink Clothesand How To Wash Them
Fragranced products of any kind that come in contact with the skin can potentially cause an allergic reaction, says Yale Medicine dermatologist Christine Ko, MD. Any residue left on clothing can also lead to skin irritation. If you or your child has sensitive skin, adjust how you wash clothing, sheets and blankets to help prevent allergic and irritant reactions, she says.
- Dont use fragranced detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets or antistatic sheets.
- Always wash clothes before wear to remove finishing chemicals such as formaldehyde, flame retardants and dyes that can trigger sensitivity or allergic skin reactions.
- Opt for 100 percent cotton or silk clothing, mittens and hats as opposed to wool, which can be prickly, or polyester, which can cause sweating .
- Avoid overdressing your child in heavy clothing. Its better to dress them in layers and to open or remove jackets, as necessary, to avoid excessive sweating.
You May Like: I Have Eczema On My Neck
When To Talk To Your Doctor About Baby Eczema
Always talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your babys skin. Thanks to telemedicine, a video visit or quick photo is often all that’s needed to check for eczema.
Occasionally, infections develop on top of an eczema rash. If you see any yellow-colored crusting and scabbing, oozy skin, blisters or pus bumps, be sure to call your doctor right away. Always call if your baby has a fever. Your baby may need an antibiotic and to be evaluated in person.
Instructions To Soak And Seal
Dont limit moisturizing to just bath time. Slather it on your child throughout the day whenever their skin starts to itch or feel dry. Try using an ointment or a cream rather than a lotion and apply it with your palms, stroking lightly in a downward direction.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Itchy Scalp Eczema
Signs And Symptoms Of Toddler Eczema
Dermatologists have a saying: If its not itchy, its not eczema. These are some of the other hallmarks of eczema in toddlers:
- Dry, scaly, rough patches of skin that may appear red and inflamed
- Rash, which may have small, raised bumps that bleed or ooze when scratched
- Skin that becomes thick, dark, and leathery when excessively scratched
Eczema can occur on any part of the body, but in toddlers, its most likely to appear:
- In the creases of the knees and elbows
- On the wrists, hands, and ankles
- Around the mouth and eyelids
Does Your Child Need To See A Doctor About Eczema
Yes. Take your child to see your GP if your child:
- might have eczema for the first time
- is very itchy and uncomfortable
- has eczema thats weeping or bleeding
- has eczema that hasnt improved much after a few days, even though youve been treating it as usual
- is having trouble sleeping because the rash is so itchy
- has painful or eczema that has developed pus
- has eczema and is generally unwell for example, has a fever and/or is sweating, feeding poorly or tired.
You should also take your child to the GP if youre not sure whether the rash is eczema.
If your childs eczema doesnt improve with a combination of medical treatment and management at home, your GP might refer your child to a dermatologist. If the GP thinks your childs eczema might be from allergies, they might also refer you to an allergy and immunology specialist.
Read Also: Is Cetaphil Lotion Good For Eczema
My Daughter Has Excema All Over Her Body Including Her Head What Can I Put On Her Scalp To Stop Her From Scratching
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
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 .
You May Like: Can Eczema Spread By Scratching
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.
Keep Itchy Skin Covered
Kids may be less likely to scratch their skin when it’s covered up.
“For some reason, young children often start to scratch as soon as their clothes are removed,” Eichenfield says.
Choose loose-fitting, comfortable outfits. Cotton and cotton blends are best. Wool and some synthetic fabrics can cause irritation and cause kids to scratch more.
Read Also: How To Heal Eczema Flare Up
Progression Of Eczema In Infants And Children
Baby eczema is most prominent on the cheeks, forehead, and scalp of an infant within the first few months of life, and often tends to make the skin look more red and weepy than at other ages.
The eczema can appear on other parts of the body as well, including the diaper area.
When the infant begins to crawl, usually between 6 and 12 months, eczema will typically affect the elbows and knees, which rub on the ground. The eczema rash can become infected, resulting in a yellowish crust or tiny bumps of pus.
When the child is around age 2, eczema may begin to appear on the inside of the elbows and behind the knees, as well as on the wrists, ankles, and hands. It may also appear around the mouth and eyelids.
This eczema tends to be drier, scalier, and thicker .
What Does It Look Like
The signs of eczema in infants include itchy, dry and scaly skin, redness and swelling of the skin and small bumps that open and weep when scratched. In infants and young children, eczema is usually found on the face, outside of the elbows, and on the knees.
In older children and adults, eczema tends to be on the hands and feet, the arms, and on the back of the knees.Keep in mind that all patches of dry skin are not eczema. The cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can dry all babies skin in winter, causing dry patches. In children prone to dry skin, so can the sun, air conditioning, and pool and salt water.
We dermatologists usually say if its not itchy, its not eczema you cant make a diagnosis of eczema unless there is an itchiness that goes with the rash. Babies with cradle cap, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, can also have a wide-spread rash, which is not eczema in itself. But it is common for cradle cap and eczema to co-exist in the first several months of life.
Also Check: Does Allergy Medicine Help With Eczema