Baby eczema is becoming more and more common in our society. You are not the only parent wondering what to do if your baby has it. It can be very stressful to see your baby so uncomfortable.
If your baby has eczema and you are worried, you should bring it up with the baby’s doctor or to the staff at any baby clinic that you attend. Eczema is an irritating skin rash and will make the baby want to scratch. It most commonly first appears between the ages of 2 months and 24 months but can start at any age.
Although babies may have it on any part of their body, it usually appears on the head, cheeks, forehead and scalp. It is believed to be caused by the baby not being able to tolerate the environment or some elements in the food. Baby eczema is increasing and people believe this is the result of more pollution and chemicals entering our bodies in our industrial societies.
There also may be a hereditary element in the tendency to develop eczema. It usually eases as children get older, and the majority outgrows it completely and it is not much comfort to the parent with a crying baby who is sore and red. There are many things a parent can do to ease the baby’s eczema. One of the first is to make sure your baby’s skin does not become too dry. There are mild creams suitable for baby eczema. Apply it all over immediately after giving the baby a bath. Use a special mild soap and do not make the water too warm.
Some ordinary soap or lotions could irritate the skin. Dress the baby in 100% cotton. Synthetic and man-made fabrics can cause the skin to sweat and lead to more irritation. Don’t use wool or anything that feels scratchy on the skin. Make sure you always use a mild detergent suitable for people with sensitive skin when you so the family wash.
Whenever you hold the baby, he or she comes in contact with your clothes and can be affected by the detergent you use. It is important to keep the house as clean as possible. A dust mite is in most every household and if you have rugs and carpets it is hard to avoid. Regular vacuuming really helps. Babies may react to pollen, so it is advisable to keep flowers out of the house. Another common form of irritation is animals.
If you have animals, try to keep the house as free as possible from their hairs. The baby’s diet is often a factor and parents have switch from cow’s milk to soy because of the eczema. There may be other foods irritating your baby’s system too. You can ask the doctor if the baby can be tested for food intolerance. You will have to eliminate any foods your baby cannot tolerate from your diet, if you are breastfeeding.
Make sure you and your baby are still getting all the nutrients needed. The last thing is to stop the baby scratching, as that will make him or her more uncomfortable.
Have your baby wear cotton mittens at all times and keep your baby’s fingernails short and smooth to lessen the damage of scratching.
Please do speak to your doctor about your baby’s eczema problems if it persists.
