What to Do If Your Baby Has Eczema

As a parent, you might be worried if you see red, dry itchy patches appearing on your baby’s skin. It may help to know that eczema is quite common in infants and that it often clears up with time.

If your baby has been diagnosed with eczema, you’re probably wondering what it is, what’s caused it and what treatments might be effective for soothing your little one and helping prevent flare-ups. Read on to discover all this and more.

What Is Baby Eczema?

Though it can occur at any age, eczema is a skin condition that's common in babies and children, especially those below the age of 12 months.

Baby eczema can be uncomfortable, but it’s not infectious.

Eczema usually takes the form of red, dry and itchy patches of skin, that appear most commonly on the face or behind the ears, or in the creases of your baby’s neck, behind the knees and at the elbows.

Babies often grow out of eczema, but there are things you can do to soothe your little one’s discomfort and help prevent a worsening of the symptoms in the meantime.

More severe cases of baby eczema may need treatments that only your doctor can prescribe. Still, it’s important to have all cases of eczema professionally diagnosed, so check in with your doctor or health visitor if you notice any signs of the condition.

What Can Cause Eczema in Your Baby?

Eczema is thought to develop when the skin is unable to retain a lot of moisture. This in turn can make your infant more sensitive to certain irritants or triggers.

It's unclear why some people get eczema and others don't, but genetics plays a role. Your infant might be more susceptible to eczema if others in your or your partner’s family have had it before.

Your little one also has a higher chance of developing the condition if certain other conditions run in your family, such as hay fever, asthma or allergies.

Food allergies may be a factor sometimes, but don’t stop giving your child potentially important types of food without first consulting your doctor. Any allergies need to be diagnosed and managed separately.

Potential Eczema Triggers

Some of the triggers that might set off your baby’s eczema could include:

• Contact with soaps and detergents, including bubble bath

• Exposure to cold, dry weather

• Certain clothing and bedding materials such as wool or synthetic fibres

• Dust mites

• Pet hair

• Pollen

• Foods that your baby is allergic to.

Identifying Eczema on Your Baby’s Face and Body

With eczema, dry, red, itchy patches develop on your baby’s skin, often on the face or behind the ears.

It’s also common in the creases of skin, for example, behind the knees or on the elbows, but it can also appear in other areas of the body.

The patches caused by eczema can be mild and small, but they can also be extremely itchy, which can make your baby irritable.

If your little one scratches the itchy patches, the skin may become infected.

What Does Eczema Look Like

Eczema usually takes the form of red, dry and itchy patches of skin, that appear most commonly on the face or behind the ears, or in the creases of your baby’s neck, behind the knees and at the elbows.

Keep in mind that eczema on your baby’s head might look a little like cradle cap, which is another skin condition that can affect some babies. If you’re in any doubt, your doctor will be able to diagnose the condition.

When to See Your Doctor

It’s a good idea to see your doctor if you think your baby might have eczema. That way you can be sure of getting a proper diagnosis and the right treatment, if it’s needed.

If your baby’s eczema is severe, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter treatment or prescribe medication.

Sometimes eczema can become infected, especially if your child scratches the itchy patches of skin. It’s important to see your doctor if you notice any of these signs of a skin infection:

• Fluid weeping from the patches of eczema

• A yellowy crust on the skin

• Swelling of the skin

• Soreness of the affected area

• Yellowish white spots on the patches of eczema

• Fever or a high temperature.

How to Help Soothe and Manage Your Baby’s Eczema

As with all childhood illnesses, always follow your doctor’s advice on what treatment to use for your baby's eczema. Your provider may suggest taking the following steps to help soothe the eczema and prevent it from recurring or getting worse:

• Don’t use aqueous cream, soap, bubble bath, baby bath, scented soaps or detergents on your baby

• Treat your baby’s skin with an emollient or other cream, ointment or medication recommended or prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of eczema

• Apply a non-perfumed moisturiser to your baby’s skin several times a day

• Avoid dressing your child in wool, nylon or other fabrics that may irritate the skin. Cotton is the best material to use.

• Keep your baby’s bedroom cool to stop him or her getting hot and sweaty, as this can make eczema worse

• Keep scratching to a minimum by clipping or cutting your baby’s nails short. Anti-scratching mittens can also help protect your infant’s skin from further damage.

• Steer clear of any irritants or allergens – such as pet hair, pollen or mould – that may be causing flare-ups

• Go back to your doctor if the eczema seems to be getting worse, or if you see the signs of a skin infection, such as weepy or crusty skin, or a fever.

It can be worrying at first if your infant has eczema, but with care from your doctor and effective home treatment, your baby’s skin will likely improve in time.

In the meantime, get more advice on how to care for your baby’s skin and keep showering your little one with lots of love and kisses.