Baby Eczema 1 in 6 Babies May Get It the First Year!

My 9 year old grandson suffered from severe eczema since he was little, he used the product while visiting me and for the first time he was able to do without his topical medicine to treat his eczema, I was blown away.

Anity Woodland Hills, CA

My second daughter was born with severe eczema. If one of your babies’ has it, you have my complete and total sympathy. It’s hard enough to keep a child, much less an adult, from scratching and itching those dry scaly spots, but a baby…it’s almost impossible. We were in the midst of the two-year process of developing Nature’s Baby Products when my second daughter was born with eczema on her face. As I developed this line of gentle, allergen-free products, it seemed as if her rashes began to improve. The more careful I was about the products I used on her tender skin, the fewer rashes she seemed to have. Many of you have written in with similar experiences. While we don’t claim that Nature’s Baby Products are a baby eczema remedy, our products certainly seem to comply with pediatrician recommendations to use gentle products or those designed for sensitive skin.

What does eczema look like?

Eczema appears as dry, thickened scaly skin or sometimes even little red bumps that could blister or ooze. Usually it’s found on cheeks or chin but can show up on the forehead, scalp, and can spread to the arms, legs or really, any part of the body. It is extremely itchy and scratching can cause the rash to become infected.

What causes eczema?

No one seems to know for sure although they’re pretty certain it’s inherited. Very frequently, its found in families that have a history of allergies or asthma. (Both my daughters have asthma). While eczema is not an allergic reaction, it certainly seems as if it can be initiated by allergens. Some researchers feel that diet and products used on your baby can trigger an attack of eczema or that certain chemicals, over-heating, dry skin, changes in temperature or skin irritations can aggravate the condition.

Recommended treatments for baby eczema:

• Don’t let your baby’s skin get too dry. Some doctors believe daily bathing is ok as long as you use a mild products, don’t leave shampoos or body washes on for a long time, pat skin dry but leave it moist. Moisturize your baby’s skin within 3 minutes of finishing his bath. Water should be lukewarm (around 85 degrees). Hot water can cause the skin to release histamines and that makes the skin red and itchy and even more irritated.
• Don’t let your baby get overheated. Rapid changes in temperature can exacerbate eczema so try not to let your child either overheat or get too cold. Some recommend dressing your child in natural fabrics like cotton and avoiding potentially irritating fabrics like wool.
• Examine your detergents. Avoid those with fragrance and look for mild products or those marked for sensitive skin when washing baby clothes and bedding.
• Again, allergies may also worsen eczema, so if there is a history of allergies in your family, you may want to consult an allergist to see how you can protect your child from pollen, animal dander, dust mites and other allergens.
• Prevent scratching. Scratching or even rubbing against a crib sheet can irritate his skin and make matters worse. In severe cases, infection results. If the skin gets infected with bacteria (impetiginized eczema) the rash will begin to produce pus and your should consult your doctor. Use the softest crib sheet you can find, trim your baby’s nails and use mittens and socks to prevent scratching. If your baby can’t sleep because of the itchiness, your doctor may recommend antihistamines (only in doctor recommended doses and in products made for babies) to make your baby drowsy.
  

If the baby eczema is severe, your pediatrician may in some instances recommend a steroid cream like hydrocortisone. Please consult your pediatrician if the eczema is not getting better.