Symptoms: It usually starts with a red rash on the infants face and gradually gets worse until the skin becomes ridged and cracked. It is characterized by itching, and red, scaly skin on the scalp, face, arms or legs. It’s not contagious.
The exact reason for eczema is unknown. Infantile eczema tends to run in families and usually starts when they are 2 to 3 months old. Fortunately, most of these cases are cleared up before the child reaches 2 years of age.
Mothers who have asthma are also more likely to have a baby that has the condition but allergic rhinitis and food allergies can also play a part. If the cause is food-related, discovering the food(s) responsible can be removed from the diet completely. Removing the guilty food comes down to trial and error. Start with eliminating specific foods from their diet. There are some common foods that should be looked at first including: milk products, fish, shell-fish, wheat flour products, eggs, tropical fruits and chocolate. After the eczema has cleared up, introduce these foods one at a time, a week apart, so that the problem food can be identified.
Home treatment:
- Apply oils or moisturizers to the to the skin
- Avoid harsh soaps and detergents
- To relieve dryness let the child soak in warm water but after bathing coat the skin with oil to seal in moisture.
- Avoid rough or scratchy clothes
- A baby’s nails should be kept as short as possible to prevent itchy skin from becoming further damaged or infected from excessive scratching.
Medical treatment: Unfortunately, baby eczema sometimes needs further help and in these cases, the doctor might prescribe the use of antihistamines to relieve the itching; when required a hydrocortisone ointment may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation. Bacterial infections will be treated by a physician with antibiotics.
One thing is certain; this skin disorder is very common, yet remains a difficult form to control and fully overcome.
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IMPORTANT: The information found on this blog is a general educational aid. Do not use this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider about any medical or health-related questions.
Filed under: Common Ailments | Tagged: baby eczema, baby skin condition, child eczema, eczema, infant eczema, infant skin rash, itchy skin, skin disorder
