There is no doubt that baby eczema is troubling for infants and parents alike. It can be uncomfortable and even distressing for baby, and doubly distressing for parents. For parents, infant eczema is distressing because it’s uncomfortable for their child and also because parents often feel they’re somehow to blame. However, many parents feel reassured when they realize how common baby eczema really is.
About two-thirds (65%) of all babies have eczema symptoms in their first year. Symptoms tend to ease or disappear by the time children are two years old, perhaps flaring up again now and then. By the time they are five almost all (80%) of children will have had some eczema symptoms at some time. Eczema often disappears with adulthood though about 60% continue to suffer eczema as adults. What exactly causes eczema at any age is difficult for medical experts to pinpoint – there are many possible causes of eczema, many of which are beyond a parent’s control. For instance, it is often an inherited condition. It is generally more useful – and better for baby too – to accept this and focus on relieving the symptoms.
Symptoms of Baby Eczema
There are several types of eczema. Infant eczema is almost always “atopic eczema” – the most common type of eczema. As with adults, the symptoms are a scaly or raised red rash, sometimes with bumps or blisters. Baby eczema appears most often on the face and neck, sometimes spreading to other areas such as between the folds of skin on the arms, or hands. Babies may scratch the rash, making it more red and inflamed. There is some danger of infection if the skin is broken by the child by scratching so extra precautions, such as keeping your child’s finger nails properly clipped, should be taken if signs of skin irritation are present.
Easing the Symptoms of Baby Eczema
Although it is difficult to identify and eliminate the exact causes of infant eczema, it’s known that certain things can make the condition worse. In some cases certain foods can worsen eczema. More often, infant eczema is made worse by things which irritate the rash, or make it more likely to spread. For instance, laundry detergents, soaps, clothing materials, overly dry skin or frequent changes of temperature. Because it is so common, older relatives often have plenty of common sense advice on how to ease a child’s symptoms. It’s also important to opt for natural eczema treatment where possible.
Long-term or regular use of prescription and over the counter eczema creams can be harmful even for adults, and babies’ skin is of course particularly delicate. Consider easing baby eczema symptoms using natural treatments such as those found in the popular book Beat Eczema to ease symptoms of baby eczema.
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