Helping Your Child with Eczema
Identifying Baby Eczema
Eczema, often called atopic dermatitis, is a disorder of the skin, where the skin around the folds become inflamed and rashes. The most commonly affected sites include the inside of the elbows, back of the knees, the buttocks, the neck, and the scalp. The skin of the affected area is generally dry, but when eczema is further irritated, may crack, or if scratched, become a weeping wound.
Eczema is an allergic reaction that is extremely common in children of developed countries. We do not know why but the number of children with eczema are on the increase. Eczema is closely related to allergic rhinitis or hay-fever, and asthma, and is partly hereditary, so if you or someone in the family suffers from these conditions, it is more likely that your child will have eczema.
Helping your baby cope with Eczema
Unfortunately, eczema is not a condition that has a quick cure. While many cases of childhood eczema will naturally resolve itself by adulthood, in others, it is a lifelong skin condition. First, visit your pediatrician for a treatment course for your baby. Do not bathe your baby every day, as this practice dries up a baby´s sensitive skin very quickly, aggravating the eczema. Most importantly, never apply your own medication on your baby, even if you have eczema yourself. Babies have very thin skin, and can absorb medications like corticosteroids much faster than an adult. It is essential that your baby be seen by a doctor for a proper assessment and a treatment plan.
As your baby develops, there is always the chance that they will outgrow their eczema. In fact, most cases of baby eczema either resolve themselves completely or become milder in their symptoms by the time that they are adults. Until then, it is important to teach your child not to scratch the eczema, as it makes the eczema, and their itch worse.
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