Eczema in toddlers is quite a common incidence, which usually starts before their first birthday. The effective way to treat eczema in them is to identify the causes and avoid them. Read on to know more.
Eczema is an umbrella term for red, itchy skin rashes that develop in any part of the body. However, when we say eczema in toddlers, it refers to a particular skin problem called atopic dermatitis. In such a case, skin flare-ups are manifested as patches in the face, abdomen and other areas. The symptoms for eczema in babies and toddlers are itching, accompanied with redness, dryness and flakiness of skin. Here, we shall take a look at the causes and treatment for baby eczema.
Causes
It is estimated that about 15 percent of the babies and toddlers are affected with eczema. In majority of the cases, eczema runs in families. The primary cause for eczema in toddlers is allergies to certain factors, including chemical agents, pollutants and environmental conditions. Those children who are hypersensitive or allergic have a higher risk of manifesting this skin problem than others. Listed below are the triggering factors for eczema in infants and toddlers:
- Low humidity levels
- Dry skin condition
- Warm climate and overheating
- Excessive moisture (moisture and milk)
- Woolen fabric
- Milk and dairy products
- Egg based food items
- Certain foods (soybean, wheat, peanut)
- Wearing clothes washed in strong detergent
- Pet dander (cat and dog)
- Adverse reaction to soap
- Exposure to cigarette smoke
The notable signs of eczema are patches of dry flaky skin in neck, hands, elbow crease and outer side of knees. The itching and skin symptoms become worse, if the child continues to scratch the affected skin areas. With constant scratching, the outer skin layer peels off, thus increasing the risk of infections.
Treatment
This skin disorder subsides gradually as a child grows older. However, basic skin treatment is followed to reduce discomfort symptoms. Baby eczema treatment starts at home, with the objective of keeping the affected skin clean and moist. Do not make the mistake of applying over-the-counter eczema lotions in toddlers. As the skin is extremely sensitive, it may respond differently to the topical lotions, thus worsening the symptoms.
Early addressing of eczema problem is best for combating the skin conditions in babies and toddlers. Fortunately, prompt treatment can be done with natural remedies and basic skin care tips. The best treatment approach is to take a note of the probable triggers and avoid them as far as possible. Other effectual home remedies are as follows:
- Bathing at least once daily with warm water is good for treating eczema symptoms in toddlers. Do not apply harsh soaps, rather use a soap substitute and bath oil for bathing.
- Apply the soap substitute to the toddler’s skin and wash it with lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water, as it will increase itchiness. After bathing is over, dab the skin dry with a clean towel.
- Make the bath time short, as long baths wash away the skin moisture. And rubbing the toddler’s skin while drying can aggravate skin irritation, so dab gently.
- In case, eczema related skin rashes are spread to all body parts, consider using an antiseptic solution in the bathing water.
- Keep the skin soft and moist at any point of time. For this, you will need to apply a good quality baby moisturizer two times a day, especially on the affected skin areas.
- Woolen clothes should be strictly avoided for toddlers, who experience frequent outbreaks of eczema. The fabric itself causes overheating, thus serving as a trigger for eczema in toddlers.
- Wearing comfortable clothes, preferably cotton, is another effectual tip to reduce discomfort. Also, make sure that the clothes are not very tight for the toddler.
Speaking more about treatment, homeopathy has shown impressive results in many cases. To be on the safer side, research about homeopathy and eczema in children, before you really proceed with this therapeutic option. For severe problems, steroid creams of a specific potency are recommended. But, never apply them on a toddler’s sensitive skin without consulting the doctor.
