Skin Care tips Infantile Eczema for the baby:
Due to their sensitivity, your baby's skin is more susceptible to various infections and skin issues. It can be a common issue and should not cause undue worry. However, if you realised that they are having frequent bouts of outbreaks or the skin problem do not seem to be receding, it is best to seek the advice of your doctor the soonest. Still, more often than not, it can be easily remedied or prevented. The key is to understand the type of skin issue that is happening to their skin.
Infantile Eczema-
Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that causes itchiness and dry skin. In babies, it may start to show up only after two months old. Eczema comes and goes, often with differing severity, but it is treatable and some children eventually outgrow it, though some others may carry it to adulthood or develop other atopic illnesses like allergy and asthma.
Symptoms-
The first sign of eczema is often patches of red, leathery skin which may appear anywhere on the body. Although it is not localised and may spread to other parts of the body - especially around the folds of the skin, behind the knees, and the nappy area - it is more commonly found on baby's cheeks, neck folds and joints of the limbs. This can sometimes be mistaken for heat rash. Eczema results in extremely dry and sensitive skin so you may find baby being unusually irritable and often attempting to scratch at the affected areas.
Causes-
Allergens. Eczema causes baby's skin to be highly sensitive to minute dust particles like air pollutants, dust mites, pollens, moulds, and pet dander.Parents who suffer from eczema often pass it on to their child. Aside from hereditary cause, eczema, an atopy illness, may also be triggered by a variety of irritants that result in a reaction in the body's immune system. Some of these irritants include:
Weather- Climate and temperature changes and high humidity can trigger infant eczema because baby's skin perspires less effectively, thus it is also less efficient in regulating the body temperature.
Diet.-Some food are known to cause skin reactions in babies, particularly citrus fruits (e.g. orange), dairy products (e.g. milk, egg, peanut, chocolate), and seafood (e.g. shrimp). Food colouring and preservatives can also cause eczema.
Clothing- Babies with eczema should avoid clothing made from wool and lycra as they tend to irritate the skin.
Toiletries and detergents- Everything from body lotion, bath foam, perfume, to the type of laundry detergent and hand soap you use on and around baby can cause eczema to flare up because of the harsh chemical components in these products.
Who is more prone to eczema?
If you have a family history of atopy illnesses such as eczema, allergies and asthma, there is a 50% chance of your child inheriting it. Babies with dry and sensitive skin are also prone to eczema.
Treatment
Eczema is treatable with over-the-counter liniment such as a mild topical steroid like hydrocortisone cream. Steroidal creams helps soothe the itch and reduce the redness by reducing inflammation but this should be used sparingly as it can lead to thinning of the skin if overused. Hydrocortisone should generally be avoided for use on children under 10 years old so use only as directed or prescribed by doctors and use sparingly. If you are unsure, always check with the doctor. For more serious cases of eczema, antibiotics may be recommended if there is an infection. Your doctor may also prescribe oral antihistamine to relieve the itch.
Prevention
1. Taking a bath once a day helps keep baby cool but be careful not to use water that is too hot as high temperature can cause eczema to flare up. Keep bath time under 10 minutes using only lukewarm water.
2. Choose bath products wisely and use only those that are mild, unscented, and hypoallergenic. You may also use an oatmeal-based bath lotion to help relieve the itch. Bubble baths are not suitable for babies in general.
3. When drying off baby, simply pat down with a towel as rubbing causes friction which may aggravate the skin problem. Pay extra attention to the folds of the skin.
4. Daily moisturising helps keep baby's skin well-moisturised as it dehydrates easily. Pick a good moisturiser containing petroleum jelly for best effect and apply immediately after a bath while the skin is still wet for best absorption.
5. Dress baby comfortably. Loose-fitting - but not oversized - cotton garments are best in minimising skin irritation caused by chaffing. New clothes should always be washed prior to first wear.
6. Scratching can aggravate existing rash. To prevent baby from scratching, trim and file baby's nails regularly.
7. When putting baby to bed, dress baby sensibly to keep him cool and comfortable. Fleece blankets and quilts make nice gifts but are often unsuitable for the high humidity of equatorial countries.
8. Clean baby's bedroom and play areas regularly, especially if you have a pet, and sun baby's bedding often. Dust mites and pet dander are common triggers of eczema. Remove objects like a fluffy stuffed toy or a carpet that trap dust readily.
9. Avoid bringing baby from a cold place to a hot one (and vice versa) as abrupt changes in temperature can cause eczema to flare up.
When to see the doctor
Severe eczema can result in scaly skin and rashes with pus-filled bumps. This is an indication of bacterial infection and requires proper medical treatment. You should also avoid having baby come in physical contact with persons with open wounds and cold sores.