Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, affects people of all ages and walks of life, including babies. In fact, about 20 percent of infants under the age of two in the United States have eczema symptoms. In this blog, you will learn more about eczema, how it affects babies and what you and your pediatric dermatologist in Phoenix, AZ, can do to manage it.
What Is Baby Eczema?
Baby eczema is a chronic skin condition. It causes red itchy and inflamed patches of skin on a baby’s body.
Eczema typically appears within the first few months of life and can continue into childhood and even adulthood. These itchy patches may ooze or crust over, leading to discomfort and potential infection if scratched.
What Are the Symptoms of Baby Eczema?
The most common symptoms of baby eczema are redness and itchiness on the skin. These areas may develop anywhere on the body but are most often on the face (forehead and cheeks), scalp, arms and legs. Affected areas may be very limited or widespread. Periodic flares can be expected as the skin symptoms come and go.
In severe cases, these dry patches can thicken. Babies with eczema also may experience blisters or weeping sores on their skin.
Other symptoms of baby eczema include:
- Dry and rough skin
- Cracking or peeling
- Discolored areas (hyperpigmentation)
- Pain and sensitivity to pressure and touch
Why Does My Baby Have Eczema?
The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but researchers believe it may be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Babies with a family history of eczema, asthma or allergies are more likely to develop the condition. Exposure to certain irritants, such as soaps, fragrances or even temperature changes can also trigger flare-ups.
How Can I Manage My Baby’s Eczema?
To relieve the symptoms of baby eczema, see your pediatric dermatologist in Phoenix, AZ, for a full skin exam and review of medical history and symptoms. The provider may perform other assessments, such as a skin biopsy and blood tests to rule out other medical problems.
Parents must know that babies can “outgrow” their symptoms of eczema as young immune systems mature. However, for many other infants, eczema continues to be a challenge through childhood, the teen years and into adulthood.
That said, eczema symptoms, while sometimes stubborn and uncomfortable, can be managed. One of the primary strategies is avoidance of common triggers–the things in the immediate environment which can cause a flare-up.
Common triggers for baby eczema include:
- Fabrics, such as wool or some synthetics
- Soaps and laundry additives
- Certain foods
- Very dry or very humid air in the home
- Temperature extremes
- Pet dander
- Plants
- Chemical irritants (such as perfumes or cleaning products)
To help identify and avoid these triggers, parents can keep a journal of their baby’s eczema flare-ups. This practice can pinpoint any patterns or common factors which cause the symptoms. Understanding triggers helps families avoid or limit the substances or environmental conditions which impact a baby’s sensitive skin.
In addition to avoidance, there are also various treatment options available for managing baby eczema. These may include topical creams or ointments to soothe the skin. Use preparations which contain beneficial ceramides. Ceramides are lipids which help skin retain moisture and protect against irritants.
It’s important for parents to work closely with their pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist to develop an individualized treatment plan for their baby’s eczema. This may involve trying different methods to discover what works best for the individual child.
Along with medical treatments, there are also practical, at-home methods of symptom control. These include:
- Dressing babies in light cotton clothing
- Applying over the counter cortisone steroid cream (no higher than a one percent strength)
- Applying fragrance-free lotions, creams and ointments to hold in moisture and reduce itchiness, dryness and scaling
- Keeping baby’s nails short to avoid small lacerations on itchy skin area
- Bathing in warm (not hot) water to soothe irritated skin
Get Personalized Care from Your Pediatric Dermatologist in Phoenix, AZ
At Happy Skin Pediatric Dermatology, we provide family-oriented, comprehensive skin care for babies and children through to the age of 21. Samantha Casselman, DNP, CPNP-PC is our pediatric dermatologist. She and her team work closely with parents to find the best solutions to their children’s skin conditions.
To know more about baby eczema, please contact our Phoenix, AZ, office for a friendly and helpful consultation with Samantha Casselman. Call (602) 837-3376 or request your visit here. We are open Monday through Friday and also have limited hours on Saturday mornings. We look forward to speaking with you.
