Is Eczema Different For Infants Or Toddlers Than It Is For 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.
Is Aquaphor Good For Baby Eczema Heres What Ive Found
Its no secret that eczema is a serious skin condition that a lot of individuals are living with. Studies have shown that eczema occurs in 10-20% of infants throughout the US. It usually occurs during the first few months after birth. Its a very common condition and the best thing is that its treatable . In fact, most infants will eventually outgrow the condition. Of course, this doesnt mean that you want to leave the condition unchecked. When you spot eczema on your baby, you will want to make sure that youre treating it with the right products because it can be extremely irritating. So, lets find out, Is Aquaphor good for baby eczema and can it be a product you use for years to come?
Managing Eczema In Winter And Year Round: A Parents Guide
Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. Red, crusty, dry patches can be common on a baby’s skin, particularly in winter, and cause concern for parents. Such symptoms can be treated, however, and many babies and children do outgrow the dry, itchy skin of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
We spoke with pediatric dermatologist Katherine Puttgen to learn more.
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Can A Breastfeeding Mom’s Diet Affect Their Baby’s Eczema
Certain foods in a mom’s diet could cause problems for their baby with eczema. If youâre breastfeeding, you may want to avoid common triggers like:
- Cow’s milk
- Tree nuts
- Shellfish
Signs that your baby is having a reaction to something you ate include an itchy red rash on the chest and cheeks, and hives. If you see these, stay away from whatever you think may be causing the problem for a couple of weeks.
If things get better, brings foods back one at a time, says Robert Roberts, MD, PhD, a professor of pediatrics at UCLA.
Get some help from your doctor so you’ll know when it’s safe to start eating those foods again.
Managing Babys Eczema: Bathing
Daily bathing and moisturizing is essential to managing baby eczema. Never skip a bath!
Babys compromised skin barrier makes it easy for moisture to escape from the skin, which can lead to dryness and flare-ups. But giving baby a daily bath, and moisturizing them regularly, helps keep that moisture from escaping.
National Jewish Health shares more on why a daily bath is so essential for baby eczema care:
The best way to bathe eczema babies, and stop dryness and flares, is with the “soak and seal” method. In the “soak and seal” method, you bathe your baby daily, then apply moisturizer right after the bath.
Follow these steps for the best way to give a soak and seal eczema bath:
Use The Right Temperature Water
Use warm water, not hot water. Keep the water temperature between 97 and 98.6 for the most comfortable bath.
- Water thats too hot for babys skin may make flare-ups worse.
- Also, repeated hot baths can make babies’ skin dry out more, compared to adult skin. Your baby’s skin hasn’t fully developed, so its more sensitive.
- Buying and using a bath thermometer is helpful for checking the water temperature.
Use Unscented Body Wash, Not Soap
Mild liquid body wash is the best way to cleanse your baby’s skin.
- This type of cleanser doesnt dry out the skin, because it doesnt affect the skin’s PH.
- Make sure the wash is unscented, mild, fragrance-free and dye-free
Stay away from soaps.
Scrub With Care
Have Baby Soak For The Right Time
Gently, Partially Dry Baby
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About Aquaphor: The Healing Ointment
If your baby is currently dealing with eczema, you have probably already scoured the Internet for a number of products to help battle the condition. Theres a good chance that you have come across Aquaphor. In fact, you have probably read many reviews about the product, but you are still wondering if Aquaphor is good for baby eczema. Well, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a product that has been around since 1925, and it was created by Eucerin. Its simply a gentle moisturizing treatment gel that was originally formulated to aid the delivery method of skin medications. Doctors alike would purchase five-pound tubs and mix them with their own traditional skin treatments and then apply them to the patients skin. However, after World War 2, the ointment was repackaged and sold directly to retailers and consumers. This is the very same manner that the ointment is sold today.
Managing Eczema: Knowing And Avoiding Possible Triggers
Although we dont know what causes eczema to develop in the first place, we do know many triggers that can cause baby eczema to suddenly get worse.
If your child has eczema, it may flare up when their skin is exposed to any number of triggers.
Some triggers that may cause eczema flare-ups include:
- Dry skin
- Environmental allergens, especially if your child already has an environmental allergy
- Common allergy-causing foods, especially if your child already has an allergy to that food
One key to baby eczema management is identifying possible triggers that seem to cause eczema to flare up, then keeping babys skin from coming in contact with them.
Some possible triggers should be avoided outright when your baby has eczema.
For example, stay away from shampoos, soaps, lotions, and laundry detergents that contain fragrances and dyes. Opt for unscented, dye-free bath and laundry products instead. Mild, unscented liquid body wash is always a good choice.
Also, dont dress your baby in synthetic fabrics like polyester, wool, and nylon. Dont use blankets and covers made from these fabrics, either. And avoid any other itchy, tight clothing. Opt for natural, loose-fitting cotton clothing instead, and use cotton bedding for their crib.
Be sure to wash new clothing and bedding before their first use as well, since unwashed fabric can contain irritating chemicals.
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The Atopic March Food Allergies And Eczema
Eczema and food allergies are very closely related. They are both considered allergic conditions, and they are both part of a progression known as the atopic march.
What is the atopic march? According to the atopic march, children with one allergic condition are at increased risk for others, and allergic conditions often appear in a certain order. In other words, one condition usually marches in front of the other, in a fairly predictable lineup.
Eczema comes before food allergies in the atopic march. This means babies usually develop eczema before food allergies, and babies with eczema are at the highest risk for food allergies.
But even though food allergies and eczema are closely related, and even though some symptoms may look similar, eczema rash is not the same as a food allergy reaction.
Food allergy rashes appear as raised bumps, which look different from the red, scaly rash of eczema. Learn more about how to tell the difference between a food allergy reaction and an eczema flare-up.
Ways To Soothe Your Babys Eczema
When your baby is itchy and in pain, youll do anything to help her feel better. Four experts weigh in on what actually works.
Watching your baby wail in discomfort from red, irritated, eczema-flared skin can make you feel like youre at your wits end, so we asked experts for tips on how to get the itchy condition under control.
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How Can You Prevent Baby Eczema
If your baby has contact dermatitis, you can try your best to prevent a flare-up by identifying and avoiding common triggers, which might include:
- Moisture . Dress your baby in lightweight cotton clothing. Gently pat drool away when you see it.
- Scratchy fabrics. In addition to clothes and rugs, even your babys stuffed animals can trigger eczema.
- Allergens. Think pet dander, pollen or dust.
- Harsh detergents and soaps. Consider using a sensitive detergent when washing babys clothes and crib sheets.
Researchers Identify Subtype Of Eczema Tied To Food Allergies
Other studies, though, have had contradictory findings. For example, one study of American children published in August 2016 in the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology suggested that a hot and sunny climate combined with high particulate matter and ozone levels actually appears to protect against eczema.
A small Australia-based study, published in March 2019 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found an association between ultraviolet sunlight exposure in early infancy and lower incidence of eczema by 6 months of age.
The scientists, though, caution against intentionally exposing babies to direct sunlight until researchers better understand this complicated issue.
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Home Remedies For Weeping Eczema
Certain methods, like using bandages to wrap skin and keep it moisturized and protected, should not be used if you have an infection unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Some people report improved symptoms with other approaches, such as:
- Antiseptic emollients. Your doctor may recommend these products to help hydrate your skin and protect it from bacteria.
- Stress management exercises.
Baby Eczema: Diagnosis And Treatment
Your childs doctor will diagnose eczema based on symptoms, the appearance of the rash, family and individual medical history, and evaluation for potential allergies.
There is no specific test to diagnose eczema, but a doctor might order blood tests and skin tests to look for allergies or rule out other skin conditions.
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How To Tell If Your Baby Has Eczema
Before you can begin treating your babys eczema, you need to know for a fact that you are dealing with eczema. The skin condition will usually show up as patches of red or dry skin. If you run your hand over the skin, it will almost always give off a rough texture. Unfortunately, eczema can show up just about anywhere on the skin so there will be no way to narrow it down to a single location. That being said, some of the most common places that you will find the skin condition is on the cheeks or joints of your babys arms and legs. Its extremely common for many new parents to confuse eczema with cradle cap and this is because they are somewhat similar. However, there are some key differences that you will need to be aware of to help you differentiate between the two. Cradle cap is a condition that will be much less red and scaly. It will not have the dry or flaky skin that is oftentimes common with eczema. Cradle cap is a condition that will generally clear up in eight months or less. Another major distinction is that cradle cap will commonly appear on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids, eyebrows, or behind the ears.
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:
For most infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study.
If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
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Conlcusion: Follow The Steps Above To Get Rid Of Weeping Eczema
Well there you have it, I really hope that you liked this article and that it helped you understand more about the causes of weeping eczema, and most importantly, what to do about it.
I had couple of situations where my primary eczema turned into a bacteria colonization, so along with my program, I tried to incorporate all of the above into my skin routine.
Here is how I got rid of my weeping eczema:
First, I would clean the areas with cotton and saline solution, gently removing any yellow crusts where those bacteria lived.
Then, I took more cotton and dipped them in a solution of Epsom salts + water. I placed this on my weeping areas, and let them soak in all the water!
After pat drying the area, I applied a lotion moisturizer around the weeping areas where my skin was badly cracked. I also put a layer directly on the areas itself, to thoroughly hydrate the area.
Finally, I got my 10 minutes of sunlight and then followed up again with more moisturizer as my skin was very cracked at the time.
Doing the steps above, helped the weeping stop within DAYS. Which is why I wanted to share this with you! As someone who struggled with this for years, it makes me want to help others who might have it too.
Hopefully, this article helps you finally know what causes it and what to do about it.
How do you deal with weeping eczema? Did these tips help you? Leave me a comment below!
PS: Don’t know where to start? Sign up to my free series The Clear Skin Plan !
What Is Baby Eczema / Infant Eczema
Baby eczema, or infant eczema, is a highly common and treatable skin condition which typicallyfirst occurs in children before the age of five. Also known as atopic eczema, infantile atopic dermatitis or just atopicdermatitis, the condition results in red, dry, itchy and cracked skin that may sometimescrack and bleed. Eczema can affect the whole body, though the hands, face and neck are the most commonly affected areas in babies.
Baby eczema will generally disappear before the child reaches their teens, but in some casescan continue into teenage and adulthood. The condition can be treated with a variety of creams,ointments and minor environmental changes.
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What Can Make It Worse
Each baby is different. But there are some common eczema triggers to avoid, including:
Continued
Dry skin. It can make a baby’s skin itchier. Low humidity, especially during winter when homes are well-heated and the air is dry, is a cause.
Irritants. Think scratchy wool clothes, polyester, perfumes, body soaps, and laundry soaps. These can all trigger symptoms.
Stress. Children with eczema may react to stress by flushing. That can lead to itchy, irritated skin. And that, in turn, ramps up their eczema symptoms.
Heat and sweat. Both can make the itch of infant eczema worse.
Allergens. Its not certain, but some experts believe that removing cows milk, peanuts, eggs, or certain fruits from a childs food may help control eczema symptoms. Remember that your baby can get exposed to these foods if their mother eats them before they breastfeed. Find out the connection between food and eczema flares.
How To Find A Food Trigger
Some are obvious. If your child eats lobster for the first time and breaks out in hives 15 minutes later, itâs probably not hard to figure out.
But with eczema, it’s often tougher. Symptoms may not show up for days after you eat something. If you do find a trigger food and get rid of it, that may help. Still, it may not make the eczema go away. Remember, 2 out of 3 kids with eczema don’t have a food allergy at all.
That’s why working with a doctor is so important. They can guide you toward the real cause through tests like:
Elimination diets. If your doctor thinks a food may be harmful, they may ask you not to give it to your kid for 10 to 14 days. Watch to see if it makes a difference.
Food challenges. After you’ve taken a food out of your child’s diet, your pediatrician might want you to add a small amount back in to see if it causes symptoms. They may want to do this in the office, just in case your child has a reaction.
Skin testing. A doctor can take an extract of the food and use it to scratch the skin lightly. If the area swells up, that could be an allergic reaction. However, it’s not always accurate.
Blood tests. RAST — a radioallergosorbent test — can check for special cells in the blood that signal specific food allergies. Again, it’s not always accurate. Other lab tests can check for cells that trigger swelling.
Tracking down a food trigger can take patience and detective work.
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Aquaphor Is Not Vaseline
Most new users of Aquaphor oftentimes mistake it as Vaseline. They both do feel somewhat slick and have a gel consistency, but the two products couldnt be more different. Theyre, however, both petroleum-based, but its Vaseline thats 100 percent petroleum. This means that when Vaseline is applied to the skin it works by both blocking moistures in and out of the skin. You can find out more about how vaseline treats eczema in an article I wrote here.
Aquaphor, on the other hand, works in a completely different manner. Its only 41 percent petroleum-based and this allows it to create a semi-occlusive barrier when applied to the skin. What this means is that the moisture in the air can still reach passed the ointments and be drawn into the skin. Due to the fact that it doesnt contain as much petroleum, it also gives water and oxygen the ability to circulate into the skin. This pretty much means that when Aquaphor is applied to the skin it actually helps heal the wound by providing a protective, moist healing barrier.