What Causes Eczema Flare Ups In Toddlers

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.

When Should I Take My Child To The Doctor For Their Eczema

If you think your child might have eczema, make an appointment with your pediatrician. A trained eye can tell the difference between eczema and other skin conditions.

Speak to your childs doctor right away if skin appears infected , if the eczema seems painful and blistered, or if it’s preventing your child from sleeping or is just generally making them miserable.

How To Help Your Child Prevent Eczema Flare

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions kids can get, affecting more than 9 million in the United States alone. The incessant dry, red, itchy skin shows up on various body parts from the scalp to the feet. Its not contagious, but its not curable either. It is, however, treatable.

at First Pediatric Care Center specializes in caring for the unique conditions that affect infants, toddlers, small children, and young adults including eczema. When youre at your wits end trying to find a way to comfort your child and help them cope with the constant presence of itchy eczema, Dr. Lubega can help.

In addition to medical treatment options, she offers these tips for how you can help your child live with eczema and prevent flare-ups whenever possible.

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What To Do When Your Eczema Flares Up

As you now know, there can be many different factors that influence your atopic dermatitis breakout. Pay attention to the patterns of your flare-ups to find the triggers that are relevant to you and take the steps you have control over to mitigate those contributing factors. The most important thing to do when you have an eczema flare-up is to consult a professional. Make an appointment with a dermatologist today to start down the road towards healthier skin!

Aspire Dermatology is equipped to treat a broad range of dermatological conditions. We hold our team of doctors and board certified experts to the exceptionally high standards, meaning that the care youll receive in our stylish office setting will be of the highest caliber.

Will I Have This Skin Issue For The Rest Of My Life

Under some circumstances, you might suffer from this skin issue for a short period of time. However, in many cases, you will have periodic flare-ups throughout your lifetime. These flare-ups may become more frequent if you go through a stressful time in your life or are exposed to extreme weather, harsh products, or other triggers.

Professional medical assistance can help you manage your symptoms and decrease the frequency of your flare-ups. In particular, using moisturizers and other gentle skincare products will help your skin become softer and less itchy. Further, medical assistance can be used to help you identify foods, products, and other substances that trigger your episodes. Avoiding these triggers can decrease the frequency of your flare-ups.

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Can Atopic Eczema Be Cured

The bad news is that atopic eczema cannot be cured but there are many ways of controlling it. Most children with atopic eczema improve as they get older . However, many of those who have had eczema continue to have dry skin and need to avoid irritants such as soaps or bubble baths. Eczema may persist in adults but it should be controllable with the right treatment.

You can help reduce your childs 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 theyre teenagers.

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.

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What Is Childhood Eczema

Eczema is a genetic condition that causes the hydrolipidic layer that covers your childs skin to become thin in certain spots and eventually break down. This protective layer does two things:

• It prevents moisture from evaporating.
• It protects skin from external irritation.

So when a small hole in the hydrolipidic layer develops, it allows moisture to escape and allergens to come in contact with the deeper layers of your childs skin. When that happens, a flare-up is likely to occur, causing your childs skin to become red, swollen, and itchy.

When To Speak With A Doctor

A person should see their doctor if they suspect they have a skin infection. This is particularly true when the infection develops in an area where their eczema tends to flare up.

If a person has noticed their eczema has worsened or is no longer responding to their usual treatment, they may benefit from speaking with a doctor or dermatologist.

A dermatologist can help a person identify the type of eczema they have and prescribe treatments that may be more effective. They can also refer someone for diagnostic tests, such as allergy testing, if necessary.

If a rash appears suddenly, spreads quickly, or shows signs of infection, see a doctor as soon as possible.

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What Causes Eczema To Wax To Flare

Different “triggers” can make eczema worse. For infants, these can be irritants such as wool, certain detergents or extreme temperatures, or other immune triggers, such as food allergies and asthma, and even pet dander.

Most kids with the condition have the hardest time in winter, when the air is cold and dry. A small percentage has a harder time in the summer, when it is hot and humid.

What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.

Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.

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Causes Of Eczema Flare

The true cause of why people suffer from eczema or this redness, dryness, itchiness, and inflammation of the skin is still unknown. But there are causes why this skin condition gets triggered, and it is important to be aware of them. While you can always purchase over-the-counter medications, prevention is still better than cure.

Here are some of the most common causes of eczema flare-ups. Look at them and see if these are what might be triggering your unhappy skin condition.

1. Saliva in children

This is most common in babies and younger children because they have sensitive and delicate skin. Drooling can cause flare-ups around the mouth, cheeks, and chin. Excessive wiping can also worsen it with the appearance of itchy red spots and patches.

To avoid this, make sure to moisturize the skin around the mouth using safe and nontoxic creams. You can choose the best products for children here.

2. Hormonal changes in women

For women, moments like menopause, pregnancy, and menstrual cycle can influence eczema. A decrease in estrogen makes the skin dull and dry, unable to maintain moisture, thus making the skin condition worse.

To avoid this, talk to your doctor about regulating your hormones. During these moments, moisturize your skin more than ever. Learn more about balancing your hormones here.

3. Skin infections

To avoid this, ask your doctor for the right antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal medication.

4. Exercise

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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.

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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.

Medical Treatment For Eczema

Eczema cant be cured. But it can be managed by preventing and treating flare-ups as soon as they appear.

If your childs skin is inflamed and itchy, theyll probably need some corticosteroid ointment or cream. For mild eczema, you can buy mild corticosteroids over the counter at your pharmacy. The most common is hydrocortisone 1% cream. For more serious eczema or if the over-the-counter products arent working, youll need to see your GP to get a prescription for a stronger corticosteroid.

Other eczema treatments include pimecrolimus, a non-steroidal cream. Doctors might prescribe this cream for children with mild to moderate eczema on the face and in body folds.

If your child is scratching at a rash, you could ask your pharmacist or GP about using an antihistamine medication for a few days. Together with a corticosteroid cream, this might give your child some rest and help the flare-up to settle.

If your childs eczema rash gets infected, your doctor will prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.

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Skin: Condition: Infomation Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors

Calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream, may be used when AE is not responding to topical steroids, or in skin sites which are more susceptible to the side effects of steroids, such as the face, eyelids and armpits and groin. The most common side effect is stinging on application but this normally disappears after a few applications. They are associated with an increased risk of skin infections and should not be applied to infected skin.

A maintenance regimen using intermittent calcineurin inhibitors is useful in patients who have frequent flare-ups of AE.

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

• 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.

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Talk To Your Childs Gym Teacher Or Coach

Because overheating and sweat are two of the most common eczema triggers, participating in sports or physical activity can be challenging. The more information you give to the supervising adult, the better. Here are a few tips that may help your child:

• Drink plenty of cool water
• Wear a loose-fitting uniform made of natural fibers
• Get rid of tags
• Cover itchy seams
• Shower or rinse off sweat

If swimming is the activity, moisturize your childs skin liberally before they enter the water. Petroleum jelly is also a good barrier that protects the skin from pool chemicals. Rinse immediately and thoroughly as soon as you get out of the pool. Pat the skin dry never rub.

Is Eczema Different For Infants Toddlers And Older Children

A painful, itchy rash on a babys face, torso or body may be eczema

Eczema looks and acts differently in infants and toddlers than it does in older children. The location and appearance of eczema changes as they grow, so its important to know what to look for during every stage of your infant or toddlers life.

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Can I Do Anything To Prevent My Baby’s Eczema Flare

• Keep your baby’s fingernails trimmed, to reduce any damage to their skin when they scratch. You could also consider buying some anti-scratch mittens to help protect their skin .
• If your little one gets a flare-up when they wear certain fabrics, dress them in natural materials such as cotton instead . Avoid wool though, as this can also be a trigger .
• Replace soaps and bubble baths with an emollient wash , which is kinder to your baby’s skin .
• There’s no evidence that using non-biological washing powder can help, however many parents say it works for them . You can also use a double rinse cycle to make sure that any detergent residue is gone from your baby’s clothes and bedding before they use them .
• Keep your home cool, especially your baby’s bedroom, as getting too hot and sweaty can cause a flare-up .
• When you take your baby swimming, rinse their skin well with fresh water afterwards to remove the chlorine, and moisturise them thoroughly after that .
• If being around your pets seems to make your baby’s eczema worse, keep them out of their bedroom and vacuum the rest of the house regularly . It’s also a good idea to wash and groom your pets, and their bedding, frequently . If your child’s eczema is particularly severe, you may even want to consider rehoming your animal . As tough as this can be, it may be the best option for your baby.

What Happens If My Baby’s Eczema Becomes Infected

skin infectionsBacterial infections

• ooze or weep fluid
• have a yellow, crusty appearance
• have small, yellow-white spots

Viral infections

• patches of eczema that are particularly painful for your baby, and get worse quickly
• fluid-filled blisters that burst, leaving small open sores on your baby’s skin
• a fever and seeming generally under the weather

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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

Establish A Daily Skincare Routine

As soon as you see signs of a flare-up or suspect that your child might have eczema, the best thing you can do is start a daily skincare routine that includes emollients like Mustelas Stelatopia Emollient Cream or Stelatopia Emollient Balm. These products provide four essential benefits:

• They reinforce the protective moisture barrier on your childs skin.
• They add moisture to your childs skin.
• They prevent moisture from evaporating.
• They soothe the itchiness and discomfort caused by eczema flare-ups.

All of Mustelas eczema-prone skincare products are safe for children, newborns, and adults.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• What treatment is best for me?
• Should I use a steroid cream or ointment?
• What are the side effects from the steroid cream or ointment?
• Do I need to take any other medicines?
• What is the best way to prevent flare-ups from eczema and atopic dermatitis?
• Is there a certain type of soap I should use?
• My child has eczema. What kind of moisturizer is best for him/her?
• How can I keep my child from scratching the rash?
• I have eczema. Will my children have it?
• How should I care for the rash if I have a flare-up?