Baby Eczema Types

Eczema is one of the most common skin problems for children. It is a condition of dry, extra-sensitive skin. Most infants will outgrow it by the time they are 2 to 3 years old. Children who still have it will usually outgrow it by the time they become teenagers -- just in time for acne (sometimes life doesn't seem fair). If eczema runs in the family, it is more likely to be a lifelong condition. Even so, it is often worse in the first years of life.

Types of Baby Eczema:

A few different types of eczema exist, the most widespread suffered by babies being atopic dermatitis which is also known as atopic eczema.

Around ten to twenty percent of babies have eczema during their first year. By the age of 2 years old many improve and stop being troubled by eczema.

Atopic eczema most often appears between two months and two years of age. The eczema generally comes out on a baby's cheeks, forehead or scalp but it can spread to other parts of their body.

It can affect a baby in many different ways, from slight redness of the skin to relentless itching. Itching takes place with all types of eczema, differing from mild itching to a hopelessly distracting and distressing symptom. This is why it is essential you should a continuously moisturize your baby.

After a prolonged episode of scratching, severe eczema may form and the skin's protective ability will be reduced.

The baby skin will become damp with colorless fluid (occasionally with blood from the small damaged blood vessels) which oozes from the tissue. Wet severe eczema is very likely to become infected.

Food and Eczema:

Eczema is caused by an allergic reaction to food or foods in the baby's diet. In general, breast milk is tremendous for controlling eczema (in fact, 6 months of nursing can actually prevent eczema in some children).

In some cases, if the nursing mom is consuming dairy products, nuts, eggs, seafood, or possibly other foods (which vary from individual to individual), the baby will be negatively affected.

Foods children directly consume that can make eczema worse include cows' milk, egg whites, citrus (such as tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, and lemons), chocolate, and nuts. If you are using a cows' milk-based formula, you may want to try using a soy formula or another hypo-allergenic formula.

Tips for Preventing Eczema:

Humidifiers are useful if there is central heating in your home.
Cool bedrooms are helpful.
Ideally both school and the workplace should be cool and as dust free as possible.
Skin contact with chemicals and dirt should be minimized.
Vacuuming of carpets, curtains, and bedding should be done at least weekly.
Washing the bedding weekly at high temperature and higher indoor humidity inhibits mites and benefits atopic skin.
Fluffy toys need to be washed and shaken outdoors regularly to minimize the accumulation of dust mites. A reduction in house dust mites has been shown to reduce the severity of eczema.
A restriction of milk in those young children with cow’s milk allergy showed a delay in growth.
In pregnancy, it would appear that it would be best for the atopic mother to minimize the consumption of milk, tomatoes, or any foods that she herself reacts to.
Breastfeeding would appear to be of benefit for atopic children.
Food additives such as sulfites, MSG may worsen eczema.
Elimination diets may be useful if all other treatments have failed.

Baby Eczema Treatment

What are the options for Baby Eczema Treatment?