Infantile eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, can make your baby's skin red and itchy. Eczema often appears first in infants and reappears periodically throughout childhood and adulthood. It's not an allergic reaction per se, but it may be related to contact with allergens. Pediatricians recommend home remedies, over-the-counter treatments and prescription medicines to help control the symptoms of eczema and keep the baby more comfortable.
Definition
Atopic dermatitis is an itchy inflammatory skin condition that frequently runs in families in which other members have asthma or hay fever, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition is considered chronic, because it can recur throughout life, though it's most prevalent among infants and children.
Symptoms
During an eczema flare-up, your baby's skin may develop reddish patches. Her skin may have bumps that ooze when scratched. Skin may also be cracked, scaly and raw. Scratching the persistent itch often associated with eczema can aggravate the condition. The Mayo Clinic reports that eczema can appear anywhere on a baby, but common areas include inside elbows and behind knees, on the face and neck and on hands and feet.
Prevention
To help prevent flare-ups, the KidsHealth website recommends limiting the baby's exposure to dust, animal dander, pollen, high heat and other common eczema triggers. Also, be careful when introducing foods commonly associated with allergies, such as tomatoes and dairy products. Using only mild soaps, nonsoap cleansers and detergents made for sensitive skin, dressing your infant in natural, breathable fabrics and keeping your baby's skin moisturized may also help reduce flare-ups.
Home Remedies
To help your baby through an eczema flare-up, apply cool compresses to the eczema patches several times a day, then apply a gentle lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, the BabyCenter website advises. Also, clip your baby's nails short to keep her scratching from aggravating the already irritated skin.
Medication
Talk to your baby's health-care provider or a pediatric dermatologist about the eczema. The physician may recommend over-the-counter or prescription-strength steroid ointments to combat the condition. Pediatricians may also recommend brief courses of oral steroids, or direct you to oral antihistamines that will help your baby feel less itchy and sleep better at night.
