About Baby Eczema
Soft, smooth, delicate but also sensitive – those are words suited to describe babies’ skin. Thus common skin problems can occur with these babies. Next to diaper rash, the most common is baby eczema.
Baby eczema, medically known as atopic dermatitis, affects between 20 and 30 percent of infants. This condition is characterized by red rashes and dry and itchy patches of the skin the face, neck and head. Baby eczema is not contagious and it is not an infection. But constant scratching of the skin because of itchiness which cannot be avoided from young children often causes bacteria to penetrate through the skin and causing an infection. Aside from usual areas mentioned above, it can also occur in parts of the body that has folds like arms and knees.
Eczema on babes can be caused by any number of things, including coarse clothing, heat, tobacco smoke and other chemicals, laundry detergents, harsh components of soaps, dirt and dust. Sensitivities to food are also a known cause, though uncommon.
Management of this skin problem includes application of creams with steroids on the affected area. These skin creams can differs depending on the severity of eczema. Topical steroids are also needed to be applied with care as they may result to thinning of the skin or atrophy. Antihistamines can be prescribed to alleviate itching. Antibiotics can possibly be prescribed if the eczema has already severed and bacterial infection is manifested. Dietary changes like avoidance of feeding milk from cows, prevention of food with MSG and breastfeeding are treatments for baby eczema caused by food.
These health plans for prevention and alleviation of symptoms of baby eczema includes: keeping bath time short, using lukewarm water with a infant soap particularly for sensitive skin, patting instead rubbing skin to dry your baby, applying thick moisturizers, such as petroleum jelly, over-the-counter ointments and creams applied daily on dampen skin since low moisturized skin are usual grounds for developing baby eczema. Fragrance-free detergents should also be used. Hot temperature causes baby eczema thus maintaining the home humid with a humidifier, especially in the bedroom. Have your baby wear light, soft and cottony fabrics and check to see if garments may have been outgrown and too tight, thus restricting air within the body. Checking baby’s temperature frequently is also important. In addition, eczema may be outgrown by baby reaching 3 years of age.