Does your baby suffer from eczema? There are ways to help treat the symptoms of eczema for your baby. Learn the different ways to help your baby feel better and stop suffering.
Baby eczema, a condition of the epidermis that causes inflammation to the skin, according to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center affects millions of babies each year. Eczema can appear as early as two months old. Ranging from mild to severe it often causes itching, cracking of the skin, redness, and flaking of the skin and appears on the face, legs, stomach, and arms.
How to Treat Baby Eczema
Though the cause of baby eczema is unknown, studies by Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute, show it is likely to be inherited and triggered by different allergens such as soap, dust, or food. Eczema is not contagious. There is no need to separate a child from others if they have eczema.
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- Wash all laundry in a non scented detergent made for sensitive skin and avoid using fabric softeners. Both laundry detergent and fabric softener can leave a residue on your clothes that may cause irritation.
- Do not dress your baby in clothes made from a harsh material such as wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton clothing is a good alternative to dress your baby in because it allows the skin to breathe easier and is less irritating to the skin.
- Apply a cool compress on the area several times a day followed with a good moisturizer to help get rid of the itching.
- Trim your baby’s nails and place mittens on your baby’s hand to avoid scratching which will cause infection.
- Use moisturizer regularly to help control eczema. Use creams made from natural sources like tea tree oil to help relieve the itching. Applying frequent moisturizer is the foundation of positive treatment to hydrate the skin.
- Clean your baby’s bedroom and keep it dust free. Crib sheets should be soft to prevent further irritation from eczema. Dust mites are known to trigger eczema.
- Introduce one jar of food at a time. Solid foods are a cause for eczema outbreaks, according to the Oregon Health & Science University, there may be allergens in the food that cause eczema. If a baby that is strictly breastfed baby develops eczema, it could be from the mother’s diet. Eliminate these foods: cow’s milk, tomatoes, corn, wheat, nuts, soy, and egg whites.
- Visit a doctor if the eczema is not under control. The doctor may prescribe an oral or topical cream to help clear eczema. The signs of infection are seeping on the cheeks or other patchy areas and bleeding.
- Avoid giving long hot baths and do not give bubble baths. Short baths in lukewarm water will help lock in moisture and keep your child’s skin hydrated. Moisturize your baby’s skin within three minutes after a bath. Doing this will help absorb the lotion and help with the dryness of the skin.