What is Eczema In Children -Symptoms , Treatments and Remedies

Eczema in Children is not rare and it can happen to any child. Eczema in babies is quite common and the problem might even pass on from Generations. If your family has a history of asthma , hay fever or Eczema then it is quite natural that your baby or child has it . But you can treat Eczema in children with a few tips and tricks and help them feel relieved . Babies and children have a tendency to scratch the skin and make the condition worse. Here we tell you how you can make them feel better.

Eczema In Children :

Eczema , as we told you earlier is very common. It is believed that one in eight children have them and most of them grow out of the condition on their own. But it’s also a fact that with a little bit of tips you can help make them feel better.

What is Eczema ?

Eczema is primarily an inflammation involving the epidermis , which starts with redness, itching, peeling of skin . It is to be noted that Eczema is said to affect around 9 to 30% of the US Population. Dry weather is another main cause of Eczema and people living in Dry climates have the increased risk of having Eczema.  Eczema is mainly seen in babies with one out of eight babies having them at an early age, but it is equally common in Adults. If someone has been suffering from other atopic diseases such as hay fever, asthma or if someone has a previous family history of atopic diseases such as Eczema, hay fever or asthma, then it can happen to you.

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Eczema can be triggered by environmental elements and factors such as smoke, pollen etc but it can also be triggered by certain types of food. Foods which have been known to trigger Eczema in patients are Dairy products, few varieties of nuts, Eggs, Soy products and sometimes even simple grains such as wheat.

many other patients have seen their Eczema getting triggered by simple things like soaps and detergents ,  bathing products used for bubble baths, shampoos, dish washing liquid, house or simple disinfectants which have chlorine in them. Also direct contact with juices from fresh fruit juices, meats and vegetables have also been heard to aggravate Eczema. A few patients also see their Eczema being triggered by pollens, molds, dust mites, dandruff and even being around pets like dogs or cats.  perspiration from exercises, hot or cold weather and high or low humidity may cause Eczema to get triggered.

Symptoms of Eczema in Children:

Children Eczema - Eczema in babies

Eczema is quite common in children and babies. Here are the few symptoms you can check and see if your baby has Eczema.

  • Redness of the Skin which is usually dry and flaky
  • Itchiness and discomfort
  • Places it can occur are on the face or behind the ears, scalp, on the creases of elbows, knees, other skin areas. In many children it can also affect anywhere on the skin.
  • Severe Itchiness may lead to scratching and further spreading of the Eczema.
  • In toddlers and babies who are crawling it may affect the knee and elbow area.
  • In younger children Eczema appears redder , in older babies the skin becomes more dry and less red with the skin thickening .
  • prominent skin lines can be seen on area which are affected by Eczema

 

Treatments of Eczema in Children:

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Treating Eczema depends on what type of Eczema your child has. But in most cases Childhood Eczema goes away without leaving a trace. But during the time they have it, you can keep their irritations to the minimum, so that they don’t end up scratching and aggravating the situation . Here’s what you can do to help your child feel better.

  • It is advisable to take warm water baths as often as possible usually everyday with mild soaps . If you see that the Eczema gets severe after using soap or after bubble bath , bathe your child in simple warm water. You may also use a non-soap based cleanser to clean your skin.
  • Applying a moisturizer is a must for keeping skin feeling better . It is advisable that you apply a good moisturizer after bathing your child.
  • Choose the moisturizer with care and stick to lotions with no fragrance or substances which might irritate your child’s skin
  • Use light cotton and breathy clothes for your child. Rough and tight clothing items will only make things worse , so it’s advisable for your child to wear cotton loose-fitting clothes.
  • Do not rub the skin at any cost. After you bathe your child lightly pat the skin dry rather than rubbing. Rubbing will only make things worse. if your child is not being able to control his scratching habit or if they are doing it constantly then you can bandage the area or make them wear a glove.
  • Avoid rapid or sudden changes in temperature , as the rapid changes may cause discomfit or aggravate the Eczema.
  • If your natural climate is very Dry, then use a Humidifier to help your child. A humidifier will make your child’s Eczema be less irritating .
  • There are a few over the counter corticosteroid cream or ointments that can be used to help heal the inflammation. These creams or ointments are anti inflammatory and help reduce itchiness and inflammation – which are the main symptoms of Eczema.

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  • If local creams don’t seem to work you can get your doctor to prescribe systemic corticosteroids which are taken through mouth or injected .
  • Use an Emollient as soon as you feel that your baby’s skin is getting dry
  • Dust mites can be a reason for your Child’s Eczema so kill Bacteria and Dust mites by regularly cleaning the bed linen regularly and washing it at high temperature. Also disinfect the toys and soft toys your children come in contact with regularly. You can put toys in a plastic bag and freeze for a day or wash them at high temperatures to kill the dust mites.
  • If you suspect something to aggravate the symptoms, contact your health advisor or Child specialist to know more about it.

It’s quite easy to relieve the uneasiness of Eczema n children but if the situation seems to be getting worse it’s best to take preventive measures. You can consult your health professional for more information about your Child’s Eczema. Always remember that it is best to know from a professional and take measures beforehand.

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