According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), The National Institutes of Health estimate that 15 million people in the United States have some form of eczema, and about 10 percent to 20 percent of all infants have eczema. The outlook is good, as nearly half of these children will experience great improvements to their skin. Others, however, may continue to have some form of the disease. Outbreaks can be prevented in some cases by taking care of the skin and avoiding environmental and food triggers.
Dry Patches/ Crusting & Oozing
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, eczema may look different from person to person, but is characterized by dry skin patches that itch and may ooze or crust over. According to the Mayo Clinic, the rash can be traced to diet, a change in formula or excessive perspiration in some babies. Other causes can be irritants like laundry detergent, soap or scratchy material like wool.
Redness
Eczema causes redness and can appear like a rash on the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can treat the "rash" by keeping your baby out of extreme temperatures, using a mild moisturizing soap and bathing him in a bath oil or finely ground oatmeal. In addition, taking special care of his skin by patting it dry and applying a moisturizer often may help. An infected or stubborn rash should be treated by a doctor.
Parts of the Body
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, eczema can occur on just about any part of the body; but in infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp and neck. To ease the symptoms of eczema, the AAD recommends keeping your infant's bedroom and play areas free of dust mites, which can aggravate the condition. Vacuum, dust and clean your home often to reduce dust.
