Eczema is a group of skin conditions that causes highly sensitive, dry, scaly skin patches. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, affecting 20 percent of infants and toddlers in the United States, according to the BabyCenter website. The exact cause of eczema in babies is unknown, but the condition is linked to allergens and family history. The treatment of a baby's eczema depends on determining the cause, avoiding the trigger and keeping skin hydrated.
Eczema
Eczema is common in infancy and it often appears as dry, scaly, itchy skin on a baby's scalp, forehead and face; it then spreads to the baby's chest and limbs. It is not contagious, and children often outgrow it with little intervention. Scratching does not alleviate symptoms and can aggravate the condition, producing a rash of intensely itchy red clusters that ooze and weep. Once broken, a baby's skin is more difficult to treat and is vulnerable to infection. Treatment of a baby's initial dry skin can prevent the development of chronic, cyclical flare-ups. Cradle cap is a very mild and common form of eczema that is typically not itchy.
Genetics
Eczema tends to be hereditary. A baby whose parents have eczema is 80 percent more likely to develop the condition, the InfantsEczema website says. A family history of allergic conditions such as hay fever or asthma is also linked to eczema in babies. Infant lupus, an autoimmune disorder that can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy, sometimes causes eczema. A baby with eczema tends to have naturally dry, cracked skin, making it more susceptible to irritation.
Environment
Eczema may result from a hyper-response to an unknown allergen or "trigger" by the baby's immune system. These triggers cause itching, which leads to more severe symptoms of eczema such as rash. Often these triggers are common household items that come in contact with a baby's skin, including soap, detergent, fabric softener, baby lotions, fabric such as wool, animal dander, dust, pollen, mold or tobacco smoke. Extreme climate conditions such as excessive heat or cold, a common respiratory infection and stress may also trigger eczema in baby.
Food Allergens
BabyCenter says that in about 30 percent of cases, certain foods, either consumed or passed in breast milk, produce eczema symptoms in children. The most common foods linked to eczema are dairy milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts and fish, Dr.Greene.com says. Foods suspected to be a trigger should be eliminated from the diet individually. Breastfeeding may prevent the development of eczema in children genetically predisposed to it and other allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. Taking a baby off breast milk too soon is also linked to eczema.
Management
To prevent an eczema flare-up in a baby, avoid known triggers. Keep the baby's skin moist by washing him in lukewarm water with mild soap, pat his skin dry and apply lotion to seal and retain moisture in the skin. To alleviate symptoms when they present in a baby, place socks or mittens over her hands to minimize scratching and prevent infection.
