Symptoms of eczema

Eczema is an intensely itchy rash that tin can look similar dry out, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made upwards of tiny red bumps that ooze or go infected if scratched. The rash tin be unsightly, and so it may present a social challenge for a child.

In babies it tends to show up on the cheeks and scalp just tin can be anywhere on the body. After a kid'southward first year, it'due south about likely to show upward on the insides of the elbows, the backs of the knees, the wrists, and the ankles, but information technology can too announced elsewhere.

Your dr. can diagnose eczema past examining your child'southward pare but may ship you to a dermatologist for confirmation and treatment.

shiny hand with areas of dry cracked skin

What causes eczema?

• Genetics. The tendency to have eczema is often inherited. So your child is more than likely to accept it if you lot or a close family unit member has had eczema, asthma, or allergies.

• Environment. Eczema is not an allergic reaction to a substance, just allergens or irritants in the environment (such as pollen or cigarette fume) can trigger it.

Medication for eczema

You lot can manage mild eczema by fugitive triggers and using an over-the-counter ointment or moisturizing cream on your child'southward pare. The National Eczema Clan maintains a directory of products designed for people with eczema that meet their standards.

If an otc product doesn't to the trick, your md may prescribe a topical steroid cream or a not-steroid eczema cream (these are mostly used on frail areas of the skin similar eyelids, armpits, and groin). In add-on, she may recommend a "biologic" medicine that targets the part of the immune system that is causing the irritated pare rash.

Studies accept shown prenatal and baby supplementation with probiotics may assist prevent the development of eczema in infants who are at high risk of developing allergies or eczema (those in families with older children who have eczema, for case).

How do I manage eczema on my child's hands?

Apply a petroleum-based moisturizer after handwashing and before bedtime. Frequent handwashing is important simply it tin can cause your child'due south skin to dry out, flake, itch, fissure, and even bleed. This is oft referred to as "mitt eczema" and tin cause open wounds in the skin that tin allow in bacteria and other germs and increase the chance for infection. Then proceed your child's easily moisturized and avoid using sanitizers unless you're out and about since they are more drying than soap and water.

Is bathing helpful for children with eczema?

Yep. Daily bathing is one of the virtually effective ways to soothe skin with eczema.

• Requite your kid a bath using lukewarm (non hot) water for five to 10 minutes. Use a gentle cleanser on the affected skin. Launder and shampoo your child at the finish of the bath then he isn't sitting in soapy water.

• Afterward bathing, pat the excess h2o from your child's pare with a towel or washcloth leaving information technology slightly damp.

• If you take one, utilise the prescription topical medication to the afflicted areas.

• While the skin is all the same damp, promptly apply a moisturizer all over the body. It'southward of import to apply moisturizer inside three minutes or the skin may become fifty-fifty drier. Use a heavy fragrance-free foam or ointment.

• Await a few minutes to let the moisturizer absorb into your child's skin earlier dressing.

If your child suffers from severe eczema, diluted bleach baths may help prevent Staph infections, according to a 2009 study. Researchers establish that soaking for five to ten minutes 2 to 3 times per week in a diluted bleach bathroom, which is similar to a chlorinated pool, was 5 times more constructive at treating eczema than evidently water. (It's important to rinse well after a bleach bath as bleach tin can exist drying.) Check with your kid's medico before trying this method at domicile.

woman holding baby and man petting a dog

Learn easy steps for reducing dust, pet dander, and other allergens at abode.

How tin can I prevent my child from scratching at eczema?

Your child may endeavour to become relief by scratching with his hands or by rubbing his confront confronting the sheet during slumber. Only scratching and rubbing tin can further irritate or inflame the pare so you'll desire to try to foreclose this. Here are some tips:

• Utilise the softest sheets possible in the crib or bed.

• Keep your child's nails trimmed.

• Put your child to bed with cotton fiber mittens or socks on his easily.

If your child has trouble sleeping considering of the itching, ask your doctor if you tin give him an antihistamine like diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine to aid him rest ameliorate. Antihistamines exercise not normally accept away the crawling, though.

When to telephone call the doctor for eczema

If your child's eczema is astringent, he may develop a Staph bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Be sure to requite the doctor a call if your child develops fever or other signs of an infection:

• The rash is warm to the touch on.

• The rash is oozing nbsp;or has a yellowish crust.

• There are pus bumps or fluid-filled blisters.

How to avoid eczema triggers and forestall flare-ups

Once you lot know what triggers your child's eczema, attempt to avert those things. These are the almost mutual eczema triggers:

Allergens. Examples include pollen, grit, pet dander, food coloring, and preservatives. If eczema seems to exist triggered by ecology allergens, such asseasonal allergies, you lot might desire to consult an allergist for tips on how to deal with these allergies.

In about ten pct of eczema cases, allergenic foodsare the triggers. The most probable culprits are moo-cow's milk and eggs, followed past soy, wheat, peanuts, and fish. (It's best to run across an allergist if you suspect a food allergy.) If you're using formula and your infant has eczema, the md may propose switching to a hypoallergenic (simply not soy) multifariousness.

Temperature extremes. In hot atmospheric condition, sweat is very irritating. In cold weather, the air and skin tend to be dry out.

Scratchy or synthetic fabrics. Let your child'southward skin to breathe and stay cool. Dress your him in polish natural fabrics, similar cotton fiber. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials, which tin can irritate sensitive skin.

Irritating ingredients in pare products. Utilise mild, fragrance-free soaps, shampoos, creams, and detergents or those made for sensitive skin. (Make sure they are marked "fragrance-free." "Unscented" is not the same thing.) Don't use fabric softeners or dryer sheets.

What if my child is cocky-conscious about eczema?

If your child is in daycare or schoolhouse, you lot can talk with her teachers and caregivers about the eczema. Explicate that the rash is non contagious but that it may prompt teasing.

You can suggest that your school use the National Eczema Society School Data Pack to educate kids about eczema. It includes lesson plans for ages 3 to 11.

Here are some helpful children'due south books about eczema:

I Have Eczema (Coping with Chronic Conditions for Preschoolers)

Itchy Pig

Camille's Itchy Twitchy Eczema

Emmy's Eczema

The Itchy-saurus

Princess Emily and the Terrible Itch

Once your child is sometime enough, encourage her to talk about her feelings about eczema, and be a good listener. Role-play how she might explain her status to her buddies. If you think she needs more than help, enquire the physician virtually counseling.

Learn more than:

Visual guide to children's rashes and skin condition