How To Deal With Your Baby’s Eczema

April 22, 2009 by  
Filed under Baby

Eczema in babies is getting to be widespread in the West. So if you’re one of those parents whose baby has eczema, don’t worry. You’re not the only one! Baby excema is really disturbing because of the discomfort it causes to the baby. To sort out this issue, you’ll need to see your baby’s paediatrician or go to a baby health care clinic.

What exactly is eczema?

Eczema is a skin complaint that causes a lot of itchiness and irritation. Although eczema can appear at any age, it normally occurs in babies between the age of two and twenty four months, and is more prevalent on the cheeks, forehead and scalp, as compared to other body parts.

How is Eczema caused?

Babies may be allergic to some ingredients in food or even some environmental factors, which lead to eczema. Babies who get eczema are thought to have developed it through some hereditary elements or even through the chemicals and pollution prevalent in the industrial environment. Eczema gradually decreases as the baby grows older and most children totally outgrow it, which is a relief for parents! However, when your baby is suffering from eczema now, it’s hard to be happy about what’s going to happen in the future!

What Should I Do To Ease My Baby’s Eczema?

There are plenty of things that parents can do to relieve their baby’s eczema! First of all, it is essential that the skin of the baby retains moisture. There are plenty of mild creams which can be applied after bath-time. For bathing your baby, use special soaps with water that isn’t too warm for the baby. Normal soaps could aggravate this condition rather than soothing it.

Also, buy only 100% cotton clothes for the baby, because synthetic materials cause a lot of perspiration which causes more irritation! Don’t dress the baby in any woollen or scratchy fabrics. Moreover, use a mild detergent for everything that needs to be laundered in the house; towels, bed sheets, clothes and so on. This is done to prevent the baby form suffering by coming in contact with your clothes.

Babies tend to develop allergies to dust, so it’s very important to keep your house clean. Vacuuming regularly is essential if there are lots of rugs and carpets in your home. And if you have any flowers, get rid of them, as your baby may be allergic to pollen. Animal hairs are also known causes of allergies, so try to keep the house free of these.

Eczema can also be caused by dairy products, so it’s a good idea to shift your baby to soy milk from cow milk. If there are any reactions to food, get your baby tested and find out which ones. Breastfeeding mothers need to cut out foods that the baby cannot take from their diet. Look for alternatives so that the required nutrition reaches the baby.

Itching can drive anyone crazy, and babies are no exception. It is important that you stop babies from scratching by entertaining them to divert their attention from the skin rash. If this doesn’t work, try keeping their fingernails short and smooth, and put on cotton mittens on their hands to reduce the effect of the scratching.

If all else fails, try talking to your doctor to see if any medical solutions exist for your baby’s eczema. Don’t give up. It’ll go away one day!