Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that generally occurs in infants and children. According to MayoClinic.com eczema often appears behind children's knees and on their arms. Signs and symptoms include reddish patches on the skin, itchiness, tiny red bumps that may ooze fluid and dry skin. Eczema can occur if there is a family history of allergies, a reaction to foods or laundry detergent, or to the weather.
Step 1
Give the baby a bath in warm water with oatmeal. According to NatureMoms.com, place two cups of oatmeal in a food processor to grind up the oatmeal. Then add the powdered oatmeal to a warm bath and mix well. Let the baby soak in the bath for 15 minutes, then rinse him with clean, warm water. Dry the baby by patting the skin, not rubbing the towel across his body which can irritate the eczema. Oatmeal baths can be given twice a day if eczema gets worse.
Step 2
Apply lotion to keep baby's skin moisturized. NatureMoms.com suggests using a lotion with natural aloe vera and applying it after the baby's bath. Avoid using lotions with fragrances, since those lotions contain chemicals that may irritate the baby's skin. Petroleum jelly is also a good barrier to apply to the skin. Petroleum jelly can be applied on the face, especially during the winter when the air inside and outside is drier.
Step 3
Bathe the baby with a mild soap. Soaps that have fragrances contain chemicals that can irritate the skin. Soaps that contain moisturizers, such as lotion, are gentle on the baby's skin. There are many natural and fragrance-free soaps on the market that are safe for a baby's skin.
Step 4
Skip fabric softener and harsh detergents. Look for detergents that are dermatologist recommended and fragrance free. These detergents do not contain dyes or fragrances and are hypoallergenic. There are also fabric softeners that are hypoallergenic that a parent can try if she feels the need to use a fabric softener.
Step 5
Place a humidifier in the baby's room to add moisture to the air while the baby sleeps, recommends MayoClinic.com. There are also humidifiers that a parent can attach to the furnace that will add moisture to the air throughout the house. This may be a smart investment if there is more than one child in the family with eczema.
Things You'll Need
- Bathtub
- Water
- Oatmeal
- Lotion
- Petroleum jelly
- Soap
- Humidifier
