Statistics show that eczema is a very common skin problem in children. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis which often begins in infancy and affects about 15%-20% of children. Lets go through some easy steps on how to manage baby eczema or treat babies with eczema.
What is eczema?
Eczema doesn’t look the same on every baby. It can show up as crusty, flaky patches on baby’s skin, often during the first few months. These patches are almost always dry, itchy and rough. Babies can get the condition just about anywhere on their bodies.
Most often, it affects their cheeks and the joints of their arms and legs. In babies with light skin, it usually shows up as patches of red skin. In darker-skinned babies, the rash might look purplish, brownish or greyish. Eczema can be harder to see in babies with darker skin.
Most children outgrow infantile eczema between the ages of three to five. Not sure if your baby’s itchy, irritated rash is eczema? Ask your doctor so you can tell for sure.
The question I’m asked the most is: “My baby has eczema. What can I do?”
So, Here are a few easy steps parents can consider when handling children suffering from eczema.
Change bathing conditions
A lukewarm bath hydrates and cools the skin, and may also ease itching. Make sure the water isn’t too hot. Try to keep the bath shorter than 10 minutes. To soothe itchiness even more, expressed breast milk or oatmeal soaking products can be added to baby’s bath water.
Use a Good Moisturiser
A good moisturiser, fragrance-free cream, or ointment, when used several times daily, will help baby’s skin retain its natural moisture. Apply immediately after a bath and several times throughout the day. A good time to do this is with each nappy change.
Be Sure of Wash Products You Use
Use mild, unscented body and laundry soaps. Perfumed, deodorant and antibacterial soaps can be rough on a baby’s sensitive skin. When trying a new soap or moisturiser, test it on a small area of baby’s skin first to make sure it’s well-tolerated. I recommend Zuru Baby Products because, they are all made of natural ingredients and are paraben-free, making them gentle and suitable for daily use or eczema treatment.
Clean More Carefully
Use soap only where your baby may be dirty on areas such as the private parts, hands and feet. Simply rinse off the rest of your child’s body.
Drying The Baby off
Pat skin dry, don’t rub.
Getting dressed
Make baby wears loose clothes made of cotton to avoid the irritation of clothing rubbing against the skin. Avoid overdressing baby or using too many blankets because that can trigger an eczema flare if they become hot and sweaty. Always wash new clothes before you put them on your baby. Remember to use a mild, fragrance-free detergent.
Prevent scratching
To prevent your little one from scratching the rash, it may help to keep baby’s nails clipped short or to put on cotton mittens during nap and sleep times.
If the condition persists or the rash is purple, crusty and weepy or has blisters, take your baby to a healthcare worker for a consultation. A child who has a fever and a rash must be taken to the doctor.
