Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common pediatric ailment that affects almost 20 percent of infants and young children, according to BabyCenter.com. While there is no cure and the exact cause of this skin condition remains uncertain, treatment options do exist. Infant eczema remedies focus on controlling and preventing inflammation and itching.
Bleach Baths
The BabyCenter website summarized the findings of a May 2009 "Pediatrics" study, which examined the beneficial effects of bleach baths on pediatric eczema. The study determined that five- to 10-minute soaks twice weekly in a tub filled with water and a half a cup of bleach was five times more effective than plain water soaks.
Skin Moisturizing
Regular moisturizing can help hydrate the skin and reduce susceptibility to eczema-exacerbating irritants. Moisturizers come in ointment, cream, lotion and oil form. Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego considers ointments to be the most effective treatment followed by cream options. The Keep Kids Healthy website recommends parents apply creams like Eucerin®, Cetaphil® or Lubriderm® liberally in large quantities everyday and immediately following baths. Parents can use petrolatum or vegetable shortening as a less expensive alternative.
Itch Relief
Scratching usually makes things worse, according to Keep Kids Healthy. Parents can give their baby oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine to control itching. Steroid creams available by prescription, along with wet or damp dressings, can also provide itch relief.
Keep Kids Healthy recommends dressing a baby in a damp set of pajamas covered by a dry set in cases of extreme itching. Parents should also remember to keep their infants' fingernails trimmed short to limit damage caused by scratching.
Trigger Avoidance
Parents can help prevent eczema flare-ups by taking measures to avoid triggers. For many children, this includes avoiding foods with milk, eggs, peanut butter and fish, which are the usual culprits. Parents should dress their infant in loose-fitting clothing made from cotton or other "breathable" fabrics, as tighter clothing made from coarser fabrics can cause skin irritation. Make sure to wash fabrics in detergents marketed as "allergy free," which can help avoid eczema triggered by harsh chemicals and additives.
Rady's Children's hospital recommends bathing infants with low pH soaps and avoiding extreme temperatures that can lead to overheating and sweating, which irritate the skin. Air-conditioned or temperate environments are best for infants with eczema.
