Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a condition that causes dry, itchy patches on the skin. This condition affects approximately 20 percent of all infants, according to BabyCenter, with approximately 65 percent of eczema sufferers developing initial symptoms within the first year of life. While this condition isn't usually life threatening, it can cause discomfort for the infant. It may also cause parents to worry.
Dry Scaly Patches
In some infants, eczema will manifest as white, scaly areas of skin. The skin may appear thickened in the area. One common example of this is cradle cap, which is eczema on an infant's scalp. You may notice your infant rubbing her head against her bed, or in some cases, attempting to scratch the affected area. If the eczema is on the scalp, you may see flakes of skin coming off when you brush her hair.
Red Bumpy Patches
Eczema may manifest as a pink area on the skin that has tiny red patches. You may notice that the red areas are slightly raised to form a bump. The area will usually appear extremely dry. Most commonly, parents will notice this form of eczema on the face; however, it may occur on other areas of the body. This form of eczema is extremely itchy, so you may notice scratches in the area where the baby tried to scratch.
Severe Eczema
Sometimes, infant eczema becomes severe, usually after the red bumpy eczema rash. If the rash becomes severe, the red bumps on the infant will develop pus pockets. These pus pockets may blister and burst. If this occurs, infection becomes a possibility in the area. If your infant has an area of eczema that looks wet or oozing, medical treatment should be provided as soon as possible to avoid a serious infection.
