Evening Primrose Oil For Atopic Dermatitis
Evening primrose oil can also be taken as a supplement or applied topically as an effective natural treatment for eczema. Oil extracts from evening primrose contain essential fatty acids that have a beneficial effect on the skin.
The University of Maryland reports that the most scientifically proven medical use for evening primrose oil is to treat the painful symptoms of eczema. A study into the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in reducing scaling and redness found that over 1,000 people found relief from eczema. Evening primrose oil also helped to reduce itching, swelling, and crusting in both adults and children with atopic dermatitis.20
Although some reports say that evening primrose doesnt help with eczema symptoms, many people have found it to be effective in completely relieving their itchy skin.
You can make a topical application to nourish dry and flaky skin by adding a few drops of chamomile oil to a tablespoon of evening primrose oil. Apply the remedy to the affected area 2-3 times a day to get relief from red, itchy skin caused by eczema.
You may find that taking evening primrose oil as a supplement could help alleviate the irritation caused by eczema.
Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations
If your childâs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
Ways To Prevent Infected Eczema
To prevent eczema from becoming infected, it is important to wash your affected skin areas regularly to help remove bacteria and viruses.
Harsh soaps and cleansers should be avoided to reduce skin irritation, and your skin should be patted dry with a towel. Rubbing your skin with a towel may be too abrasive and can increase skin irritation.
Regularly moisturizing your skin can help prevent it from drying out and cracking, which helps reduce the likelihood of bacteria and viruses entering through the skin. Avoid dipping your fingers into jars of creams or moisturizers since this can contaminate the jar.
Using a spoon or tongue depressor to remove a small amount of moisturizer can help prevent infection. Using a tube or pump applicator helps decrease the risk of spreading viruses and bacteria by avoiding contamination.
Always wash your hands before applying topical treatment to your skin, and avoid sharing clothing, bedding, and towels with other people.
You May Like: Best Soap And Lotion For Eczema
Read Also: What To Put On Toddler Eczema
Have Your Kids Play Outside And Get A Little Dirty
According to the Hygiene Hypothesis, sanitary conditions have disrupted the delicate balance between our bodys inner ecology and the balance of the type of immune cells we produce. Interestingly, as a result of our current lifestyle, we are not getting colonized with some important bacteria, leading to poorly maintained gut integrity and subsequent immune system dysregulation.
An easy solution to this is to encourage your kids to play outside, get dirty and play with other kids, avoid antimicrobial chemicals for handwashing, and simply wash with plain soap and water.
Food Allergy And Eczema Flare
- Food allergies are a factor in 30% of young children with severe eczema. This factor is mainly seen in babies.
- The main allergic foods are cows milk and eggs.
- The main symptoms are increased skin redness and itching. Some parents report these symptoms start during or soon after the feeding.
- The eczema becomes easier to control if you avoid the allergic food.
Recommended Reading: Oil Based Ointments For Eczema
Inspect Your Childs Environment For Triggers
Common environmental triggers include dust, rough fabrics, and even high temperatures that can irritate your childs skin, leading to a flare-up. To prevent these itchy, red breakouts, inspect your childs environment and remove or prevent contact with:
- Tight or rough clothing
For further flare-up protection, pat your childs skin dry with a soft towel and then apply an emollient cream immediately after bath time.
How To Treat Baby Eczema
Although there is no cure for baby eczema, your dermatologist can recommend an eczema treatment based on the severity of your babys symptoms, their age and where the rash is presenting.
The itching from eczema varies on a scale from mild, which doesnt interfere with sleeping or daily activities, to severe, which is itching that cannot be controlled and may be painful. Controlling this itch is a crucial part of the treatment.
There are several treatments which help with symptoms. They are:
You can manage mild eczema at home, but always talk to your doctor or dermatologist before beginning any symptom management involving the use of a topical substance on your babys skin.
Also Check: Eczema On Face And Neck
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.
Gentle Soaps And Detergents
Laundry detergent can contain harsh chemicals that aggravate eczema.
Many body washes and cleansers contain detergents, which help provide a soapy lather. Detergents and other lathering agents can dry out the skin, especially in people with eczema.
Bar soaps can also be harsh on the skin because of their alkalinity.
Try using a gentle, no-lather, fragrance-free cleanser. Avoid products with rough particles for scrubbing or exfoliating, as these can further irritate the skin.
Many people with eczema also find that switching to a more gentle, fragrance- or color-free laundry detergent can help improve symptoms.
Try skipping fabric softener, which lingers on clothes and often contains fragrances and chemicals that can cause skin irritation.
Sitting next to a fireplace or near a furnace may feel good, but it can make eczema symptoms worse. The hot, dry air can dehydrate the skin and aggravate the itchiness of eczema.
Use a humidifier during the dry winter months and avoid getting too close to heaters and fireplaces.
Read Also: Best Infant Probiotic For Eczema
How To Use It
People can buy aloe vera gel in health stores or online, or they can purchase an aloe vera plant and use the gel directly from its leaves.
Individuals should aim to use aloe gel products with few ingredients others can contain preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, and colors, which can irritate sensitive skin. Additionally, alcohol and other drying ingredients could make eczema worse.
However, start with a small amount of gel to check for skin sensitivity, as sometimes, aloe vera can cause burning or stinging. However, it is generally safe and effective for adults and children.
What Should I Do If My Babys Eczema Gets Worse
If your baby has wet, weepy skin and their eczema is not getting better with steroids, their skin may be infected and they may need antibiotics. If your babys eczema flare does not get better with the standard treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence , your GP should refer them to a dermatology specialist. If they suspect an allergy, they should refer them to an allergist or joint dermatologyallergy clinic.
Also Check: Things To Use For Eczema
Where Do Symptoms Of Eczema First Appear
Eczema most commonly appears on the face, neck, behind the knees, between the elbows, wrists, ankles, and fingers.
Depending on the age of your child, the appearance of eczema can occur in different places of the body. For example, infants have eczema on their face and scalp. As the baby gets older they may experience breakouts on their trunk, arms, legs, and neck.
Does Eczema In Babies Go Away
There is good news: Most children outgrow their eczema.
According to the experts at the University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital, many children see a big improvement in baby eczema by the age of three. About 66 percent of children with childhood or baby eczema outgrow it and only suffer from occasional dry skin during their teen years.
If your babys eczema does not let up, try keeping a journal to identify the triggers, then work to avoid those triggers. In the meantime, you can ease symptoms by treating baby eczema naturally.
You May Like: How To Sleep With 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 Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Eczema
Eczema can affect any area of the skin.
The severity of symptoms and areas affected can vary.
Itching is the most significant symptom of eczema, and scratching makes it worse. The itching is often bad enough to disturb sleep. Sometimes the scratching can be so severe that areas of skin start to bleed. They may also become infected so that the skin oozes and crusts. If inadequately treated patches of eczema may become thickened and discoloured.
Don’t Miss: Full Body Eczema Flare Up
How To Treat Your Baby’s Eczema
This article was co-authored by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO. Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master’s Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. This article has been viewed 5,980 times.
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a frustrating skin condition. If your baby frequently has dry, scaly, itchy, cracked and red skin, they may have eczema. You should monitor your babys skin in your health journal, including any irritants, new symptoms, or allergens. You may want to put together an action plan with your doctor, which should address the amount and type of bathing, moisturizers and topical treatments.
Remedies For Eczema In Babies Toddlers And Children
Eczema, characterized by dry or wet itchy and inflamed patches of skin, is common among babies, toddlers and young children. Natural remedies for baby eczema include topical use of coconut oil, calendula slave, or apple cider vinegar. There are also vitamins, supplements and dietary changes that may be helpful for children who suffer with eczema.
Read Also: If You Have Eczema Can You Get A Tattoo
Don’t Miss: Best Cream Or Lotion For Eczema
What Causes Eczema In Infants And Children
Eczema is brought about by the complex interplay of a genetic predisposition and the childs environment. Many things from the climate to possible allergens can cause eczema to flare. We know that eczema tends to run in the families with a predisposition to other atopic diseases, such as food allergies, asthma and hay fever. Individuals with atopic dermatitis may lack certain proteins in the skin, which leads to greater sensitivity. Parents with eczema are more likely to have children with eczema. However, the exact way it passes from parents to children is still not known. Most children who have eczema will show signs of the condition in the first year of life. It tends to wax and wane in severity.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Over The Counter Lotion For Eczema
Treating Eczema With Topical Immunomodulators
This steroid-free eczema cream works by suppressing certain cells involving the inflammation.
- Tacrolimus 1% or 0,03% ointment
- Pimecrolimus 1% cream Protopic and Elidel are usually prescribed if other eczema treatments have failed or if the child doesnt respond adequately to treatment with topical steroids.
Protopic is often used for treating baby eczema areas like the face, eyelids, groin, and upper chest. Topical Immunomodulators are only for a short time use because long-term safety effects are still being evaluated. They are also not suitable for children below 2 years of age or those with an immune deficiency.
Also Check: How To Get Relief From Eczema Itching
Can You Prevent Baby Eczema
Unfortunately, you cannot prevent eczema with 100 percent certainty. Remember that genetics is a big factor for eczema, but you can minimize your babys risk for eczema.
The first and most important step is to avoid the common environmental triggers, as well as the previously listed inflammatory foods.
Youll also want to:
- Avoid heat and sweat
- Keep nails short and use mittens if baby scratches frequently
- Use breathable natural fabrics like organic cotton only
- Avoid using products with fragrancesthis includes laundry detergent!
- It may seem obvious, but cigarette smoke can be an irritant
Causes Of Baby Eczema
It can be difficult to determine exactly whats causing your babys eczema. Its a skin condition that some people seem to inherit and is not spread through contact. There does seem to be a higher likelihood of suffering from eczema if a family member also has the condition.
Figuring out what causes your little one to have a flare-up is important to keep their skin comfortable and healthy. Here are some common causes of baby eczema:
- General dry skin: some babies have seasonal flare-ups because their skin tends to be drier in the winter. Anytime your little ones skin is especially dry it may put them at risk for a flare up
- Allergens: anything that your little one is allergic too can result in an eczema flare-up. This includes animal dander, pollen, and foods
- Soaps, lotion, detergents and fragrance: soaps, lotions, and anything with fragrance may cause flare-ups. For babies with eczema prone skin, its best to opt for all-natural, unscented, mild products. Ideally, look for something thats designed for sensitive skin
- Dry Air: not surprisingly, if you live in a dry climate or the air is very dry in your home, your baby may get dry skin which results in a flare-up. Try running a humidifier in your babys room to help with this
- Wool or other rough fabric: these types of materials can irritate the skin and trigger your babys eczema
Also Check: Eczema That Looks Like Hives
Should I Worry About Using The Topical Steroids Prescribed By My Healthcare Professional
No, you dont need to worry, as long as you follow your healthcare professionals specific instructions. Topical steroids are first-line treatments for babies with eczema. These creams have been used to treat eczema for more than 50 years, so there is a good understanding of how they work.
If you dont treat the eczema promptly and adequately, skin damage is far more likely to occur through scratching into the deeper layers of skin.
What Caused My Babys Eczema
There is no single cause of atopic eczema. Eczema is a complex condition it is genetic but also involves an overactive immune response to environmental factors, which cause eczema flares. Because the atopic gene is hereditary, it runs in families, and is responsible for three conditions: eczema, asthma and hay fever.
Fifty per cent of people with eczema have an additional genetic element a difference in a skin protein called filaggrin which leads to further problems in the skin barrier. All atopic conditions can be linked to allergies in some people, but there are also many universal irritants, such as soap and heat.
Don’t Miss: Dr Aron Eczema Treatment Discussion Group
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.
Best Ointment For Eczema Treatment
Finding the best ointment for eczema treatment has been a bit of a sore spot for me. Mainly because I researched like crazy, and each time I came across a new lotion that promised to be a miracle worker, I was disappointed.
I initially just used organic coconut oil on Hannahs skin. Coconut oil works a treat on me , and I wanted to keep things as natural as possible for my baby. But with increasingly dry skin, I eventually decided that shed need something more heavy duty.
As mentioned, Cetraben didnt work for Hannah. We were then prescribed another cream Epaderm without success. It seemed these thick, paraffin-based emollients just didnt agree with her.
I then tried Childs Farm after reading rave reviews. Some parents had hailed Childs Farm as a miracle cure for eczema. To be fair, it softened most of Hannahs skin a treat, so I bought bottles in bulk. But sadly it was too thin in consistency to make any real inroads on stubborn patches of eczema. And she was still itchy. It seemed that Childs Farm couldnt help Hannah when her skin flared up.
I moved onto Pure Potions Skin Salvation Ointment, which again had rave reviews. The thick beeswax-base cream is said to soothe itchy skin. This fared much better than Childs Farm as I noticed Hannahs dry patches softened within days. The Pure Potions ointment also helped Hannahs scars heal quicker.
Also Check: How Do You Say Eczema In Spanish