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Example of Eczema |
Best Eczema Home Treatment
Eczema or Dermatitis is a skin disease which afflicts both infants and adults. Typically, babies in the age between 2 – 6 months develop this disease. It is not contagious, so you cannot both catch it from someone else or transmit it to other people. Statistics show that in the UK, one of five children as well as one in twelve adults have Eczema.
There are many forms of Eczema, and it may sometimes be difficult or impossible to distinguish between atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and psoriasis, which also commonly involve the hands.
Some kind of Atopic dermatitis may begin at any age, however this is not the norm. 90% of individuals who suffer from atopic dermatitis develop the disorder before 5 years of age. Eczema is most commonly seen in children and in infants, but as you and I know, adults can also suffer from the various forms of atopic dermatitis.
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Who Gets Eczema?
Eczema tends to be more common in families that have a history of eczema, hay fever, and asthma. These disorders are all a part of what is called the “atopic triad.” A first or second degree relative with a history of one of these atopic conditions can often be identified in the family of a child with eczema. Children with
eczema may be more likely to develop allergies or asthma but one does not cause the other.
What Causes Eczema?
We don't know exactly what causes eczema, but genes may play a role. Allergic conditions, including eczema, asthma, and hay-fever, have increased over the last few decades, though it has started to level off.
Eczema affects the skin in flare-ups. Your baby's skin may have dry and itchy patches of skin most of the time, but during flare-ups, these areas worsen and become inflamed. This happens as his the immune systems overreacts to substances he's allergic to (allergens). He may then need more intensive treatment.
Eczema flare-ups can sometimes be triggered by skin irritation caused by chemicals, such as the detergents in bubble baths, shampoos, washing powders and fabric softeners. Use bath emollient rather than soaps and detergents in the bath. You could also try changing your washing detergent to non-biological, to see if this improves your baby's eczema.
Eczema can be extremely distressing in babies because they find it very difficult not to scratch, which can lead to infections. In some cases eczema can disturb your child's sleep and affect his confidence.
What Does Baby Eczema Look Like?
Baby eczema (also called infant eczema or atopic dermatitis) appears in about 10% to 15% of children. It shows up as patches of red skin. The skin is almost always itchy, dry, and rough.
While it may appear just about anywhere on a baby's body, eczema most often occurs on a baby's cheeks and at the joints of their arms and legs.
Infant eczema can be easily confused with cradle cap, another red, scaly rash of infancy. Cradle cap generally clears up by 8 months, and usually appears on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids and eyebrows, and behind the ears.
What Is The Treatment For Eczema?
The treatment of eczema depends on how serious it is. If your baby has a mild case of contact eczema, you may simply be advised to use a short course of a low-strength steroid cream.
Avoiding irritants is a good way of reducing the outbreaks of eczema. You may want to experiment with changing detergents and soaps, choosing cotton clothes, avoiding chlorine and sand and overheating. Some babies benefit from wearing gloves overnight to stop them itching and having short fingernails.
It is known that dryness of the skin makes it worse and so preventing flare-ups by moisturizing the skin is crucial. There are a huge variety of moisturizers or emollients available and you may have to try several to find the one that suits your child best. These are available as creams, ointments, lotions and bath additives. You may have to use large quantities on a regular basis and your doctor may consider issuing repeat prescriptions once you know which one works best.
Secondly, some doctors will recommend that babies with atopic eczema from time-to-time use stronger steroid creams than are available over-the-counter. It is vital that these are used sparingly to avoid the risk of side-effects, especially in young children. Eczema may also be complicated by skin infections often caused by scratching until the skin is broken. In this situation your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in addition to topical eczema treatment.
Evening Primrose Oil is being used as a popular moisturizer of the skin, though the evidence is not clear about its effectiveness.
Warding Off Eczema Naturally
- Besides the diaper area, babies don’t really get that dirty, so bathe your critter no more than three times a week. Keep baths lukewarm and short so you don’t dry out his tender skin.
- When tub time’s over, lock in moisture on your bathing beauty’s damp skin with a good slathering of a gentle, hypoallergenic baby lotion. Reapply later (and a couple of times a day even on days you skip baths).
- Bubble baths can really dry out baby skin (not to mention irritate a little girl’s vagina), so skip them altogether.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's bedroom (clean it frequently to prevent bacteria buildup) to keep his skin super-hydrated.
- Wash those itty-bitty baby clothes and bedding in a laundry detergent made for sensitive skin. And set your washer for an extra rinse cycle to get rid of detergent residue that can irritate your cutie’s complexion.
- Watch out for common food allergens, which are linked to eczema breakouts. Keep citrus fruits, cow's milk, egg whites, chocolate, and nuts to a minimum in your own diet if you’re breastfeeding. Follow your pediatrician’s suggestions on when to introduce those foods to your baby, and add them one at a time so you can be on the lookout for any allergic reactions.
- Be on drool patrol. Gently wipe spittle away whenever you see it (especially on his lips, chin, and neck) because excessive wetness can set off an eczema outbreak.
- Dress your baby in cotton (organic is a great option for sensitive skin) and other soft, smooth clothing, rather than scratchy fabrics like wool.
- Know that animal dander and saliva can trigger eczema, so if you’ve got a family pet, keep an eye out for baby eczema. If you think there’s a link, do your best to keep Fido away from your baby (and his clothes and out of his nursery).
If, despite your supermom efforts, your sweetie comes down with a
case of eczema, keep his nails extra short, or cover those paws with baby mittens or socks so he can’t scratch, which could spread the rash. Then, use these commonsense skin soothers and natural eczema treatments to make things better.