A chronic, inflammatory skin condition, eczema usually manifests by the age of two in children. When it does, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the dry, itches rash usually develops on the cheeks, elbows and the inside folds of the elbows and knees. If eczema persists, the skin can thicken, forming bright red, scaly patches. If your child has eczema, healing requires lifestyle changes and the application of topical treatments to promote healing.
Step 1
Remove skin irritants from your child's environment. According to NYU Langone Medical Center, scented soaps, woolen fabrics, dust and latex can cause an eczema outbreak. Eliminating these irritants can reduce outbreaks and help the healing process.
Step 2
Bathe your child in lukewarm water, not hot. According to Sears Family Pediatrics of Capistrano Beach, California, hot water dries out the skin making the eczema condition worse.
Step 3
Pat your child's skin dry with an absorbent towel after lukewarm bathing; do not rub. Rubbing the skin can cause an eczema flare-up, reversing any progress made during the healing process.
Step 4
Lubricate your child's dry skin to help heal her eczema. Penn State University Health Services recommends applying mineral oil or petroleum jelly to the skin immediately after bathing.
Step 5
Visit your child's pediatrician if eczema persists. The Royal Children's Hospital of Melbourne reports that physicians often prescribe cortisone creams or ointments for the face and body, which can help reduce the redness and inflammation associated with eczema.
Tips and Warnings
- To calm and soothe irritated, dry skin, apply wet compresses to affected areas. Wet paper towels in cold water and lay them over the skin. Leave the compresses on your child's skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat the skin dry afterward. Overheating and sweating can make the eczema condition worse. Dress your child in light clothing when it is warm outside. During the winter season, layering his clothing is best.
- If your child's skin becomes painfully inflamed, cracks, bleeds or develops deep fissures, seek medical attention immediately. This could be the sign of a skin infection, which may require topical and oral antibiotic treatment. Do not allow your child to scratch the eczema patches. Scratching will prevent healing and encourage infections. If she must itch, have her use the balls of her fingertips instead of her fingernails.
Things You'll Need
- Absorbent towel
- Mineral oil
- Petroleum jelly
- Cortisone cream or ointment
