Who’s at risk?
Whilst eczema is a common skin condition for many individuals regardless of age, it is known to be extremely common in children. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, often begins in infancy, affecting around 15 to 20 percent of children. A whopping 60 percent of people who have developed eczema will have had it by the first year of their lives.
The likelihood of an individual developing eczema varies depending on several factors such as their environment and their family background. If their families have a history of diseases such as hay fever, allergies, or asthma (both part of a set of conditions known as the atopic march), they have a higher chance of developing eczema.
Eczema may not necessarily be a life-threatening condition. You can still treat it via the use of eczema creams and other similar products. But it is still a chronic one, meaning that it lasts for long periods of time and its symptoms may come back at random intervals. It’s also a condition that has no known cure.
This means that caring for your baby is extremely important in mitigating the symptoms of eczema. You never know what normal routine you might be doing that can be harmful to your baby. It may be easier to control and manage symptoms in adults, but doing so for children, specifically babies, can be quite a challenge. Eczema can be quite uncomfortable for them, leading to them developing harmful habits like scratching which can only exacerbate the symptoms. It may not be enough to buy skincare products for your baby’s eczema. Oftentimes, caring for a baby’s eczema entails a change in the parents’ routines as well. You never know, something you might be doing to your baby every day can be extremely harmful to your child.
Determining whether your child has eczema
Do you suspect that your child may have eczema? It can be hard for any first-time parents. There are a number of other conditions that you might mistake it for, such as allergies or cradle cap. Before buying any sort of baby eczema creams or other products for your child, check first if they have the following symptoms:
- Red and dry patches all over their skin. For children, it usually develops on the scalp and face, primarily the cheeks and forehead. In very rare and severe cases, eczema can develop on the whole body.
- Blistered or oozing skin. The skin can develop blisters and wounds if the baby scratches often enough.
If you see your baby scratching frequently, they may have eczema. When in doubt, call a dermatologist or doctor for your baby so you can confirm your suspicions. Calling a doctor is also prudent because you can ask for assistance and advice regarding your baby’s special circumstances.
Managing your child’s eczema
Some good news: most children with eczema will outgrow it sooner or later. By the age of four, some children will not exhibit symptoms anymore. But it can be difficult to tell whether your child will outgrow it or retain it until adulthood.
Regardless of whether your baby will outgrow it, parents need to help in managing their eczema so they can live a comfortable life. Learn more about how to manage infants’ eczema with these helpful tips.
- Deal with skin dryness. Dryness of the skin exacerbates the itchiness your baby feels, and can also be vulnerable to infections when it starts peeling or cracking. It is best to keep the baby’s skin moist or hydrated. Don’t forget to give your baby regular baths (but not too much as water can dry out your skin oils), and apply eczema creams that are safe for your baby.
- Do your best to prevent the baby from scratching. Even with moisturisers and other skincare products, preventing your baby from feeling itchy can be quite a challenge. But if they start scratching, you need to find ways to stop it as too much scratching can lead to wounds and skin infections. Keep your baby’s nails short or give them cotton gloves.
- Keep them comfortable. Their clothing can make a ton of difference in reducing itchiness.Some clothing materials, such as wool, can feel very itchy on the skin and won’t help them stop their scratching habits. Dress them in soft fabrics.
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