Baby eczema
The causes and symptoms of baby eczema explained with advice on treatments and natural remedies you can try to soothe your baby's irritation.
What is it?
Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is the term used to describe a range of skin conditions characterised by very dry, itchy skin. Other common symptoms include a reddening, cracking, swelling or scaling of the skin as well as tiny bumps that bleed or ooze, although it is not contagious. Eczema can occur anywhere on the body but in babies it mainly manifests itself on the scalp, forehead, chest and around the joints. In more severe cases it can be incredibly itchy and irritating for your baby and may even disrupt their sleep.
What causes baby eczema?
A large number of babies suffer from atopic eczema which is largely hereditary based and tends to develop around 2 -3 months of age. The term atopic refers to an oversensitivity of the immune system which causes sufferers to react to aspects of their environment that would not normally elicit an immune response. There is no real way of knowing whether a baby will develop atopic eczema although there is a increased chance if other members of the family suffer from atopic conditions such as eczema, asthma or hayfever themselves.
Irritant contact and allergic contact eczema are also common and tend to be brought on by either prolonged (irritant) or immediate (allergic) exposure to a specific allergen. Suffering from one type of eczema increases the chance that you will develop other types, so if your baby suffers with atopic eczema you may notice that exposure to certain things in his or her environment causes flare ups.
How can I treat it?
Unfortunately, because atopic eczema is an allergic condition there is no specific catch-all treatment, however there are several remedies that may help to improve the condition of your baby's skin and reduce irritation significantly.
Will my baby grow out of it?
Seeing your baby suffer with itchy eczema can be really distressing especially if the discomfort is disrupting their sleep. It can be helpful to know that most babies grow out of eczema by the time they are two or three, with most symptoms reducing after 12 months of age, additionally, scaring from eczema is uncommon. So, by ensuring you keep your baby's skin well moisturised, steering away from soaps and strong detergents and taking the advice of your doctor you should be able to soothe your baby's discomfort and help stop the itching.
Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is the term used to describe a range of skin conditions characterised by very dry, itchy skin. Other common symptoms include a reddening, cracking, swelling or scaling of the skin as well as tiny bumps that bleed or ooze, although it is not contagious. Eczema can occur anywhere on the body but in babies it mainly manifests itself on the scalp, forehead, chest and around the joints. In more severe cases it can be incredibly itchy and irritating for your baby and may even disrupt their sleep.
What causes baby eczema?
A large number of babies suffer from atopic eczema which is largely hereditary based and tends to develop around 2 -3 months of age. The term atopic refers to an oversensitivity of the immune system which causes sufferers to react to aspects of their environment that would not normally elicit an immune response. There is no real way of knowing whether a baby will develop atopic eczema although there is a increased chance if other members of the family suffer from atopic conditions such as eczema, asthma or hayfever themselves.
Irritant contact and allergic contact eczema are also common and tend to be brought on by either prolonged (irritant) or immediate (allergic) exposure to a specific allergen. Suffering from one type of eczema increases the chance that you will develop other types, so if your baby suffers with atopic eczema you may notice that exposure to certain things in his or her environment causes flare ups.
How can I treat it?
Unfortunately, because atopic eczema is an allergic condition there is no specific catch-all treatment, however there are several remedies that may help to improve the condition of your baby's skin and reduce irritation significantly.
- Moisturise - As eczema is characterised by very dry skin, keeping your baby's skin moisturised can really help to reduce discomfort - try generously applying an emollient several times throughout the day but especially after a bath. While baby lotion or oil can be used for this your doctor may be able to recommend a more effective moisturising cream (as you may find that even special baby products may irritate your baby's skin).
- Careful bath times - Bathing your baby in lukewarm (rather than warmer) water will help your baby's skin to retain moisture and stay hydrated. You should avoid using soap based bath products and instead go for those designed for babies with sensitive skin. Leave washing your baby with product until just before you take them out the bath as this means they will not be sitting in 'soapy' water. Additionally, you should always pat rather than rub your baby dry as rubbing removes some of the much needed oils that form part of the skin's defence.
- Avoid detergents - Household detergents such as washing powders can be irritating to your baby's skin so try to use sensitive products and dry linen outside on the line rather than in the tumble dryer whenever possible.
- Choose cotton - Clothing your baby in cotton rather than in synthetic or woolen materials will enable your baby's skin to breathe and help to reduce irritation. Cotton bedding will again stop your baby from overheating, becoming clammy and flaring up.
- Go dust free - Keeping your home and especially your baby's nursery dust free may help to reduce eczema flare ups. Keep soft furnishings in the nursery to a minimum and try to hoover as often as possible. Keeping your home well aired should help too. If you have longer pile carpets rather than wooden or laminate flooring, sitting or laying your baby on a cotton or plastic playmat can be better than playing directly on the carpet.
- Keep pets away - Pet hair is a common irritant so at the minimum you should keep your pets out of your baby's nursery and wash your baby's hands when they have been touching animals.
- Diet - There is a limited amount of evidence that suggests sensitivity to certain foods can cause eczema flare ups. If you are in the process of weaning your baby you should make sure you introduce one food at a time so that you can notice any reactions. You should also make sure that you follow current recommendations for when to introduce certain foods into your baby's diet, leaving more 'allergenic' foods such as cow's milk and wheat til later. Breastfeeding your baby until they are at least 4 months old is one of the best ways to minimise eczema, however you may need to look at your own diet if they are showing sensitivities. However, you should never restrict your own or your baby's diet without seeking the advice of your doctor first. If you think that your baby has a problem with certain foods see your healthcare provider at once.
- Minimising scratching - Itching and scratching can make eczema flare ups worse by breaking the skin and letting infections in. Try keeping your baby's nails short and fitting them with cotton mittens and socks before a nap to help to reduce this.
Will my baby grow out of it?
Seeing your baby suffer with itchy eczema can be really distressing especially if the discomfort is disrupting their sleep. It can be helpful to know that most babies grow out of eczema by the time they are two or three, with most symptoms reducing after 12 months of age, additionally, scaring from eczema is uncommon. So, by ensuring you keep your baby's skin well moisturised, steering away from soaps and strong detergents and taking the advice of your doctor you should be able to soothe your baby's discomfort and help stop the itching.
Chat or Ask a Question:
If you have a question about this article or something else, visit our friendly forums & ask the AskBaby community.
 |
Chat about baby eczema with our friendly community... |
Your Comments:
Related:
Advertisement
Join Our Community
No Question is too big or small. Find advice, support and friends in our forums.
Your Baby's Development
Watch your baby's development from conception right through to birth - now you can actually see how much your baby is growing each day!
Survey
We'd love to hear your comments on this article...
Login to add your comment:
Baby developed a rash around his neck at around 3 months which I thought was due to him showing very early signs of teething - however after a visit to the doctor I was told that he had thrush and was given cream to treat this. (apologies, we have tried so many creams now i cannot remember the names) Needless to say it was not thrush and the cream given burned into his skin and caused terrrible discomfort, I only used it once; from there the rash seemed to spread up and onto his cheeks - we were told this was now infected and were given the first lot of antibiotics... The rash got worse and worse , baby started to scratch and we were dished out 3 or 4 different creams and antibiotics before anyone even diagnosed him with eczema. Meanwhile my baby's face looks like he has been dragged along a carpet and from a distance that he has a 5 o clock shadow as there was just no way to stop fluff and 'stuff' sticking to it. I had barely any sleep and was very stressed out, so much so that I didn't feel I was able to supply baby with the goodness he needed and decided it was time to introduce formula milk before bedtime in the hope of him sleeping a little longer at night. Here the problems really began - I will skip the parts about useless annoying dietician and extremely rude unsypathetic pharmasist - we discover the hard way the baby has an allergy to milk. He was prescribed neocate which he absolutely HATED. I believe this is very common - I did try to persevere but he was having none of it. I tried going back to breastfeeding and putting myself on a dairy free diet but i was simply exhausted and after some amount of persistance were then prescribed Aptamel Pepti which contains just a little lactose to make it taste sweeter and it seems to suit our boy. Apparently the more the milk protein is broken down the worse it smells and tates, hense the reason neocate was refused. (it really does stink)
My boy is now nearing 7 months old, his face and now most of his body is covered with eczema though at this point in time his face isnt weeping though it still often does especially when he gets overheated and upset. I have found that Aveeno cream has helped us, it is made with oats and definately helps to dry out his skin when it is weeping. I started by applying a very thick layer when the broken skin on his face was at its worst and it definately made a difference. I now use a layer thin enough so as you see the skin through it- any more than that can irritate him - but I apply this ALL THE TIME. Perhaps 20 times a day on his face and at least 10 over the rest of his body. I also use Aveeno bath sachets in the morning and again in the evening or run the hot water over porridge oats in a sieve when we run out. I have used epiderm cream and emolient which i find works fine over his body but not his face - apparently cream is better when the skin is broken and emolient (vaselene-like consisteny) is used for dry areas as it soaks in slower and forms a protective layer. At present I am experimenting with a tip I found on one site and am using Lansinoh Lanolin (the miracle cream i used for my nipples during breast feeding) over these dry areas I will post again to let you know how this works for us.
As someone else previously posted, I am not a fan of using steroid creams and wish with all my heart we didnt need to but that's just it; right now he NEEDS it. He has hydrocortisone on his face and eumovate on his body - these are such mild steroids there is really no danger in using them. We are trying homeopathy over the next few weeks so again I will post any news or ideas which come from that.
The only advice I can add which isnt noted above is to keep a detailed record of what your baby does on a day to day basis - I include details of what he eats, what activities and where he goes, when nappies are changed and what result he has, times of day he becomes more aggitated and of course sleeping and nap times. This helps you to gather information and try to pinpoint what can irritate your child's condition. I have quickly been able to see which foods do not suit him and have cut out wheat as well as dairy to see if that makes a difference. Incidentally this also helped me to discover that after a day of being in the car seat my baby would later struggle to go to the toilet and this is why he would become irritated and start scratching - probably due to his tummy being bent over most of the day.
Also I do not wear perfume any more as this irritates his little face - seems obvious but even other people holding your baby for a short time who are wearing perfume, a wooly jumper or even make-up may make a difference, i always make a note of who we have seen during the day too... seems to some that i am overprotective or even obsessed but i am sure you will all know where i am coming from and just how frustrating and heartbreaking it is to see your baby so upset and I dont care what people think - they dont get to hold my baby unless they're in 100% cotton!!!
Good luck to you all.
It seems to reduce redness and itchiness greatly. The trick with applicationi that i've discovered is to apply the cream all the time (at least 10 times a day) in a very thick layer. I've spoken to some adults with eczema and they all suggest to apply any moisturiser in a very very thick layer so that the skin (especially on the face) is covered by the cream all the time.Since we've started doing that I've noticed difference.
As for the bath additives again after numerous trials, we have found a Eucerin bath oil (we have bought it in France, but I am sure you can order it online), it seems to be much better than prescribed oilatum, dermoil etc.. good luck.
My husband and I did a lot of research on eczema after our baby developed it. And from the research and numerous discussions with our pediatrician we found that ointment based moisturisers are better than cream based ones. Cream based moisturisers have water which when it drys has a drying effect on the skin but ointment based moisturisers (though very greasy) will be absorbed by the skin slowly, provide a protective barrier by preventing moisture loss and will not irritate the skin. Diprobase , 50% soft paraffin and 50% liquid paraffin and believe it or not simple vaseline have worked for us. We apply it thinly 5 times a day (before baths and almost immediatley after baths). We also use the hydrocortisone - we have come to accept that this steriod has its place in the treatment of eczema and not to apply it and to leave my LO scratching and crying seemed cruel.
But what cream works for one may not work for another but please try the ointment based moisturisers (the less ingredients it has the better).
Topically, I used the Aveeno cream and during the bath the Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal (both on a doctor's prescription). There is a fantastic detailed ebook called Heal Your Baby's Eczema available from simplyeczemafree website that gives the most practical and up-to-date tips and info on how to go about finding the trigger that is individual to your baby.
Wishing you all the best.
Had tried everything befores this including Cetraban, E45, Salcura, Hydracortisone creams etc....
Aveeno is wonderful .. just wished I had found it earlier !!!
added by AJR [Thu 11th Feb 2010 @ 09:19:56]
my son had exactly the same problem, and was also given fucidin and hydrocortisone. We recently spoke with the skin specialist who told us that, although it is no good to have prolonged use of the above creams, that once you stop using them, the eczema comes back with a vengeance. so now i have been given Hydromol Ointment which is greasy and is to be put on the whole body several times a day, and Betnovate RD Ointment which is (for the first 5 days, morning and night) to be put on the affected areas, and then for the last 5 days (night time only). so far, and only 3 days in, it seems to be clearing up gradually. she also gave me Hydromol bath and shower emollient, which i haven't started using yet.
Hope this helps.x
doTERRA essential oils. These are absolutely pure, 100% no fillers, preservatives or additives. I use Lavender and Melaluca oils combined with fractionated coconut oil. I'm in the process of making up her own blend with an additional Rosemary and Thyme oils. I also add these two additional herbs in her food whenever I can as well. But the majority of the time, I just dropper it on to existing flare-ups or areas that seem to show a dryer patch from her blended bottle. We put it on and massage it in before bedtime. She loves it and it really keeps her skin clear and healthy.
After looking into every lotion, and creme. I found that using Lansinoh for her patches works better then anything else I have ever tried. (I originally used it for breastfeeding.) But its a main staple now in our house. Its completely natural, coats the dry or raw patches, and helps heal those cracks, scrapes, and tiny cuts that form. And as always a little goes a loonnnggg way!
Giving her lots of water, and these spot treatments, we've been able to just use "regular" EcoStore baby massage oil or all natural/organic lotions for her body as a whole. I watch what she eats, and am hoping that as she gets older her reactions for environtment, allergens, or foods decreases. Also, I've got her on an organic, preferably low/no gluten, low sugar diet. I love the Blood Type Diet. For lack of a better word, the "Diet" in this means lifestyle and does it ever WORK. It suggests foods that the body (depending on blood type) would digest and accept more then others. There are lots of variations that have developed since the first book, but that is the only one you need to read. But if your like me, you'll buy the whole lot and love it too!
Thanks to you all for giving me some peace of mind and knowing that we're not alone in this. Hope these things will help someone else too!
the rash started as a few simple pimples on her scalp 10days ago and as now spread to the majority of her face and scalp and seems to be merging in to itself. heat seems to make it flare up. drs precribed fusidin cream but this just aggrevated it so i was advised to use the diprobase i was using on her body for dry skin on the rash - this hasnt helped either.
no dr will tell me a probable cause or even what it is - 1 tryed to tell me my central heating was causing it! i dont know if it itches her yet as all babies keep there hands by their face, i guess time will tell as she gets older.
if anyone has any advise or suggestions please let me know!
I also tried Glysolid body lotion and the Glysolid 250ml thicker cream. The body lotion is thinner and meant to be better for the face. The thicker cream is for everywhere else (apart from genitals). I had amazing success with Glysolid. He's now 2 years old and I still have a tin of it on the go in the house and one that goes to Nursery with him. As long as I keep on top of it with regular applications, he's fine. I am also going to get him allergy tested privately. he loves his cows milk and won't drink goats milk. I buy my glysolid creams from "equine internet supplies" - if you google them they will come up.
it has taken 2 years to find the solution.
HE HAS AND SENSITIITY TO SALICYLATE OR SALICYLIC ACID GO TO ANY WEBSITE TO SEE THE FOODS WHICH ARE LOW AND HIGH IN THIS INGREDIENT AND STOP BABY ECZEMA which starts when your child starts on solids!
I am a 1st time mummy my son is now 5 months old but has had ezcema since 3 months. We are currently using a 1% hydrocortisone cream on a daily basis, and bathe him daily in QV flare up bath oil for atopic ezcema. Immediately after bathing him we moisturise him with cetaphil however other products like sorbolene and QV intensive moisturizer are just as good.
Yes using a steroid cream can thin the skin but it is reversible and something that you can see from looking at the skin. bear in mind that a 1% steroid cream is an over the counter product also so no prescription is required so rest assured that it is only a very mild/low dosage steroid cream when purchasing the cream the pharmacist will make a big fuss over the fact that the cream can only be used fo one week max and to apply sparingly only however we have now used it for 3 weeks - daily. the problem is once u stop applying altogether flare ups take place so there needs to be a maintenance program recommended by a dermatologist ie once ezcema has settled u may need continuing to apply steroid cream ie 2 x weeklydepending on the severity etc
as our dermatologist has advised us the greasier a moisturiser is the better it is - stay way from johnsons and huggies products.
Wash babies clothes with ie omo sensitive.
hope this helps! but in my opinion see a dermatologist - get a referral from ur GP
Anyhow, the doctor reckons her eczema might be related to her milk allergy, so i'm having to cut milk completely out of my diet to see if this will help. Mean while she has corticosteroid cream on prescription (which i'm not that keen on using) as well as oilatum and diprobase cream - but the health visitor also gave us epiderm which seems to work better as i basically smother her in it completely.
Could be that your little boy has an issue with milk too that may be causing his eczema? You can get hypoallergenic formula (i.e. formula without milk in it) from the doctors - but if he's used to normal formula he probably won't take the stuff as it tastes really bad. Or you could try soya formula (SMA do one you can buy in boots) but it's probably best to go see the doctor first.
I'm not sure yet if me cutting milk out of my diet is helping (i've only been doing it for a few days and god I miss chocolate!) but i'll keep you posted if that helps. Meanwhile I'm starting to wean her but making sure I avoid anything with milk products (e.g. butter etc.) - as her milk allergy is really bad ...but hopefully she'll grow out of this as well as the eczema - fingers crossed!
I have the same problem with my little boy! If anyone out there has any advise for me an twokids please let us know!
Thanks
Usage of the cream right when you have identified such disorders can help control further aggravation of the deformation. As my personal experience of hostel life goes, there are two types of problems, one the itch of the skin itself and second you could be picked upon by others on the abnormal type of skin resulting in quarrels and all that mess. So! it is advised to get hold of the cream and begin a regular usage to help control these type of skin disorders as only a few people are aware of how the cream can help. The cream is economical as a 250ml jar is conting here in south asia somehhere around USD 5/-.
If wanted, advice from dermatologists can be sought to make you content. Anyways i have already had a fair deal of all that and most of the dermatologists are surpised to see the results. As most people say its gone by far.
Now, at times my skin feels more sexy than most of you ladies ;)
Any further information can be sought on my email. Im more than willing to help...!
And yes, browse the web to locate the nearest stores for Glysolid products. The cream is German and the homesite is, www.glysolid.com.
Regards.