Treating Infant Eczema
Knowing Symptoms and Natural Remedies for Infant's Skin Conditions
May 27, 2008
No mother wants to worry about skin rashes, inflamed skin and irritation on her baby's body caused by atopic dermatitis, which is a type of eczema. It is a skin condition (usually hereditary or in infants with allergies) that cause patches of tiny itchy red bumps that tend to develop on the baby's scalp face and cheeks. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema that affects infants. It is important to know what to expect and how to treat it.
Don't be alarmed; the skin condition isn't harmful. Conversely, it can be extremely irritating for infants and painful to watch. The first stages usually occur with infants between two to six months of age. It usually disappears or improves from two to three years of age.
If an infant has eczema, small patches of red bumps can appear severely on the cheeks and forehead. In some cases the reddened bumps become moist and fluid filled. They may look scaly or like thickened dry skin that feels like sand paper. It appears on the scalp (which can also be cradle cap) neck, armpits and throughout parts of the body.
Eczema Caused By Infant Milk & Diet
Eczema can be caused by an infant's allergy to milk. If breast feeding, the baby can be allergic to what the mother is eating. To find out if this is the cause, a mother may need to take the infant to the allergist to get tested for allergies. The doctor can prescribe a milk that is compatible with your infants system. Infant milks that are reccomended for Eczema are Enfamil Nutramigen, and Similac Alimentum Hypoallergenic Baby Formula.
Under the Table and Natural Treatments for Eczema
Most pediatricians prescribe a 1% hydrocortisone cream, such as Locoid Lipocream, but one should take caution in African American babies with eczema because it bleaches the skin. A thin film of a .01% hydrocortisone cream on the area will be sufficient.
The best remedy is keeping the skin moisturized. Good moisturizers for eczema that are recommended by doctors are Eucerin Aquaphore and Eucerin Plus Lotion. They soothe the infected skin. Another good remedy, that also works for cradle cap, is 100% pure sweet almond oil. For itching, parents may use calamine lotion. Babies can also take an antihistamine by mouth, but doctors don't recommend this for babies under five months of age.
Make sure that babies are not bathing too frequently. If frequent baths are necessary, they should be shorter baths with lukewarm water. Water that is too hot dries out the skin. When bathing an infant with atopic dermatitis, Dove and Tone Soap are gentle enough to use on a baby's skin. Pouring baby oil in the bathtub water also keeps the skin moisturized.
Avoid Infant Eczema Triggers
Infant skin is sensitive, so the wrong treatment can irritate the skin.The baby's skin needs a natural moisturizer that does not have a strong fragrance. Avoid things that trigger an outbreak (contact dermatitis) such as: glues and dyes, liberal use of moisturizers and lubricants, nickel on pants buttons, poison ivy, wool or irritating fabrics and the use of steroid creams for flare ups.
Call Baby's Pediatrician if Eczema Symptoms Worsen
The pediatrician should be contacted if the baby's rashes do not improve with home remedies or if they worsen. Also, a pediatrician should be called if the baby gets a fever or infection or if blisters, redness, pain, oozing fluids or yellow crust occur.
Many infants get eczema in their first months of life. If parents apply these rules to the babies who are experiencing these skin conditions, they can control the problem. Their babies will be able to live happier healthier lives.
References:
Steven P. Shelov MD, MS, FAAP.Your Baby's First Year. 2nd Ed. New York, New York: A Bantam Book published by arrangments with American Academy of Pediatrics, Jan 2005.
