Treating Eczema in Babies and Children
Your children’s health is your priority. When they’re uncomfortable or sick, your focus is on helping them get better. If they’ve been scratching itchy skin, they could have eczema, a common skin condition for infants and kids.
The good news is, once you’re certain of an eczema diagnosis, there are safe eczema treatments for kids and babies your dermatologist can recommend.
Does My Child Have Eczema?
Ceramides are the fatty cells that help keep skin soft and smooth. If the body doesn’t produce enough, the skin can become dry and irritated.
Eczema appears as dry patches, often red, and can occur anywhere on the skin. Children and babies often get eczema on the cheeks, arms, and legs. Along with feeling dry, their skin could also feel itchy and irritated.
Why Does My Child Have Eczema?
Eczema often appears on babies’ skin thanks to genetics. Children can inherit eczema from either parent. There may also be an issue with your child’s skin barrier, which affects how moisture and germs are transmitted through the skin.
If your children have been stressed or upset by something at school or home, they could develop eczema as a result. Eczema could also happen due to mild allergies, or irritation from products that come in contact with the skin. Often soaps or lotions with heavy scents can cause the skin irritation that leads to eczema.
Can I Treat My Child’s Eczema?
There are over-the-counter treatments for eczema that focus on moisturizing the dry and irritated skin. Treating eczema in babies and children could be as simple as giving them warm baths and moisturizing their skin regularly. Of course, be sure to avoid soaps with irritants, scents, and additives that could further irritate the skin. It may also help to switch to a more mild laundry detergent, and to ensure your child is wearing loose and comfortable clothing that doesn’t scratch the skin or increase the itching sensation.
Keeping kids cool when possible is also helpful. When children sweat or become overheated, their eczema is more likely to flare up and cause discomfort.
When Do I See a Dermatologist?
Treating eczema in children and babies can often be done at home with great success. While flare ups may return, and some children do have eczema into adulthood, most kids’ eczema symptoms are alleviated with an attentive skin care routine. It should include cleaning and moisturizing the skin regularly, and caring for any irritation with petroleum jelly or a mild hydrocortisone ointment.
However, if symptoms persist, or if you notice your child’s eczema has started to bleed or ooze pus, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist right away, Dermatologists are experienced at treating eczema for patients of all ages. They can recommend a safe and effective course of treatment for your child to start feeling better and more comfortable in their own skin.
If you have questions about eczema symptoms you’ve noticed in your child, we are here to help. Make an appointment with Southeast Dermatology Specialists today. We are looking forward to meeting your child, and helping them to feel better as soon as possible.