Dr Olson Huff
Pediatrician

Nicole Rawson-Huff
Child Development

Anne Oxenreider
Child Development

Dr William Lawrence
Pediatrician

Mary Lawson RN
Nurse Practitioner

Michelle Hutchison
Practical Parenting

ONLINE STORE

Check out our online store and save !

Eczema

From:

Your Name
Your Email Address

Subject	I thought this page on Sixty Second Parent might interest you !
Friend Email Address
Friend Email Address
Friend Email Address
Friend Email Address
Friend Email Address
Friend Message

Itchy red rashes can be very uncomfortable for babies and young children.

If you think your child has eczema here are some tips on how to manage it.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin disorder caused by allergens.

Eczema which is also called atopic dermatitis is characterized by skin that looks red, dry, scaly, and sometimes oozing blisters. If your child or baby has skin that looks like this than there is a good chance they have eczema. This condition can often run in families. Always consult with your family physician to obtain a correct diagnosis.

Dust (contains dust mites and finely ground particles from other allergens such as pollen, mold and animal dander).
Pollen (trees, grasses, weeds).
Fungi (including molds too small to be seen with the naked eye).
Furry animals (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, and other pets).
Latex (household articles such as rubber gloves and toys, balloons).
Foods (cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat and fish).
Food allergies also play a role in about 25 percent of cases of eczema in young children. Wheat, egg, milk, peanut, and soy account for over 90% of food allergies in children.

The good news is that there are simple things that you can do to manage it:

Avoid putting your child in woolen clothing. They need to be dressed in materials such as cotton which allows the skin to "breathe". This type of material allows air to circulate around it.
Soaps containing perfumes and deodorants may be too harsh for children’s sensitive skin. Try to avoid using soaps unless they are designed especially for sensitive skin and are fragrance free. Soaps tend to dry out the skin as does many commercially bought bubble bath products.
It can also be a good idea to wash your baby's/child’s clothes in a detergent which is just for sensitive skin. Use laundry products that are free of dyes and perfumes and double-rinse clothes, towels and bedding.
Launder new clothes thoroughly before your child wears them.
Avoid fabric softener.
Lukewarm soaking baths without soap are good ways to treat the dry skin of eczema.
Gently pat your child dry after the shower or bath to avoid irritating the skin with rubbing. Then, apply moisturizing cream. Choose a lotion wisely. Make sure it is for sensitive skin and fragrance free. Ask for advice if you are unsure which lotions are best.
To minimize damage done by scratching itchy skin - it's good to keep their nails cut fairly short. Long-sleeved sleepwear may also help prevent nighttime scratching. When your child is experiencing discomfort due to the eczema you can relieve some of this by applying cool (not cold) compresses to the skin.

Antihistamine medication may be prescribed to relieve the itching, and help break the itch-scratch cycle.
New non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams or ointments can be used for itching and redness and decrease the need for steroid creams. As long as steroid creams are used sparingly and at the lowest strength that does the job. Steroid creams are very safe and effective.
If the rash has not improved - make sure you consult with your doctor.

Abstracted from: the American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Allergies and Asthma.