Recognition and Treatment of Baby Eczema

Baby eczema or infantile eczema affects nearly twenty percent of babies and is typically outgrown by the time the child reaches school age however, in some cases this condition can continue into adulthood or may not even present itself until later on in an individual's life.

Eczema is a form of "AD" or "Atopic Dermatitis" which is an inflammation of the skin and is believed to be caused by a combination of certain allergens and hereditary or genetic factors. In this parenting guide, you will learn how to recognize the symptoms of infantile eczema, what to avoid, and some treatment options which can be beneficial in alleviating your baby's symptoms.

The Symptoms and Causes of Infantile Eczema

Infantile eczema is a rash which typically appears on the scalp and facial area but can occur on any part of the body including the back, chest, arms, and legs. This rash is typically reddish in color and can appear as patches which are dry and scaly or tiny bumps which ooze and is noticeably uncomfortable to your baby as it is very itchy.

Eczema is not contagious however; complications can arise from infections due to your baby scratching from the intense itchiness. There is no definitive cause of atopic dermatitis. However, there are indications that the medical condition is a combination of factors that are both hereditary and environmental.

It is common for this condition to be commonly seen among families that have a medical history of eczema, allergies, and asthma. In addition to this, this skin condition may be induced by food based allergens such as cows' milk, eggs, wheat, and soy products. Heat which causes your baby to perspire can make the itching from the eczema much worse causing your baby great discomfort.

Treatment of Baby Eczema

When it comes to treating baby eczema, one of the ways which works extremely well in mild cases is moisturizing the skin. This will help in retaining the natural moisture of the skin and products such as petroleum based jelly or skin creams which are fragrance free should be applied to the infants' skin daily and especially after bathing.

It is also believed that bathing your baby on a daily basis can be very helpful in treating eczema and should be done using only lukewarm water to avoid the skin becoming drier which tends to happen with water which is too warm.

It is essential that you dry your baby immediately after getting out of the water by gently patting them dry without rubbing and immediately thereafter apply the moisturizer to seal in the infants own moisture.

It is essential that you consult with your baby's doctor as soon as the signs of eczema appear to ensure a proper diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment for your baby. In some cases of infantile eczema medications may be prescribed which are topical and help relieve the inflammation of the skin.

In more severe cases of this condition antibiotics may also be required due to infections from scratching. Ultraviolet light therapy is another form of treatment used to treat the most severe cases of atopic dermatitis however, this is rarely used in children because of if its severe side effects.