Baby eczema is a common skin condition that affects many infants and young children. Eczema causes patches of your child's skin to be dry, itchy, and bumpy. This baby eczema or infantile eczema usually remains through childhood and adolescence, in some cases even into adulthood. The usual spot where symptoms of eczema will show and affect your baby is on the face.
How does baby eczema affect your baby's skin?
Babies with eczema experience dry, itchy, and sensitive skin. This occurs due to your baby's protective barrier on the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) being weak and does not function well. The symptoms can last a few weeks every time there is a flare-up.
What causes baby eczema?
Eczema is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors including:
- skin irritants and allergens - There are various things in your baby's environment that can trouble the skin. If your child has allergies, the eczema symptoms can flare up on their skin. The most common environmental irritants and allergens include fabrics, soaps, and certain foods.
- immune system reaction - The immune system of babies with eczema can overreact and confuse healthy skin cells and small irritants in your child's environment as foreign invaders. Due to this, your child's immune system will combat your baby's skin cells which may cause eczema symptoms.
- genetics - Sometimes, changes to your baby's DNA happen, which can affect how your baby's body functions and develops. An eczema diagnosis could cause a lack of proteins in your child's body that are responsible for maintaining their skin's protective barrier.
What are the symptoms of baby eczema?
You may start to notice the symptoms of baby eczema in the first six months of your baby's life. Symptoms may include:
- dry skin
- itchiness
- bumpy rash
- skin discolouration (red or darker than natural skin tone)
Where do eczema symptoms affect your baby's skin?
Baby eczema can affect the skin anywhere on your baby's body particularly:
- face
- scalp
- feet
- arms
- legs
What are the triggers of baby eczema?
Your child's skin is unique and can react to different triggers in their environment that can cause the flare-up of eczema symptoms. Some of the triggers include:
- pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and mold
- allergenic foods (soy, egg, and peanuts)
- clothing made of wool and synthetic fibers
- scented products (laundry detergents, perfumes, and air fresheners, especially those that contain alcohol)
- excessive heat or dryness
- sweating
Treatments for baby eczema
There's no cure for baby eczema, however, the condition will become less severe over time. Treatments are often focused on managing skin dryness to prevent flare-ups and on reducing inflammation.
Consider the following strategies to manage your baby's eczema symptoms:
- avoid giving your baby long hot baths (use lukewarm or cool water instead) or rubbing your baby's skin too much
- moisturize your baby's skin often with fragrance and dye-free ointments, creams, and lotions, especially right after a bath
- dress your child in soft cotton, breathable clothing
- avoid using scented products
- keep your baby's fingernails short to prevent scratching or use mittens during sleeping
- keep your baby cool to avoid excessive sweating
Here are some products for managing your baby's eczema symptoms
Buds Soothing Organics: Super Soothing Rescue Lotion
Mustela: Cicastela ® Moisture Recovery Cream
