Baby eczema is a common skin condition that affects many infants, while it can be concerning it’s manageable with the right care.
If you are a parent dealing with baby eczema, you are not alone. Many parents face the challenge of managing this common skin condition. Let’s walk through everything you need to know about baby eczema, from what it looks like to how you can treat it at home.
What Does Baby Eczema Look Like?
Eczema doesn’t look the same on every baby. In babies with light skin, it appears as patches of red skin. In darker skinned babies, the rash might look brownish, grayish, or purplish. Eczema is harder to see on babies with dark skin.
These patches are almost always dry, itchy, and rough. They can affect the skin anywhere on your baby’s body but are most common on their:
- Face
- Scalp
- Elbows
- Feet
- Knees
- Lower legs
- Ankles
It’s easy to confuse baby eczema with cradle cap, but cradle cap is much less itchy and irritating. It also usually appears on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and behind the ears. It generally clears up by the time babies are eight months old.
What Causes Baby Eczema?
The exact cause of baby eczema isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
If you or your partner have a history of eczema, asthma, or allergies, your baby might be more likely to develop eczema.
Baby eczema happens when there is a problem with your baby’s skin barrier, allowing moisture out and germs in and making it more susceptible to irritants and allergens.
What Triggers or Worsens Baby Eczema?
There are several common triggers that can cause eczema flare-ups or make the condition worse. Knowing what to avoid can help keep your baby’s skin as healthy as possible.
Common triggers:
- Dry skin: cold, dry air especially in the winter and not moisturising enough can dry out your baby’s skin, making eczema worse.
- Irritants: harsh soaps, laundry detergents, and even certain fabrics like scratchy wool, and polyester can irritate sensitive skin and trigger eczema symptoms.
- Heat and Sweat: overheating or sweating can lead to itchy skin and worsen eczema.
- Allergens: dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and certain foods like cow’s milk, peanuts, or eggs can trigger eczema flare-ups in some babies.
- Saliva: babies who drool a lot may experience eczema around their mouths or chin, as saliva can irritate the skin.
- Stress: stress can also play a role in eczema flare-ups. Believe it or not, even babies can feel stress, which can worsen their symptoms.
Do Babies Outgrow Eczema?
The good news is that many babies outgrow eczema. While it can be a persistent condition during infancy and childhood, it often improves as your child gets older. By the time they reach school age (4 to 5 years old), many children have much milder symptoms or their eczema may disappear altogether.
However, in some cases eczema can persist into adulthood. While there is no cure for eczema, managing it effectively can reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Home Treatments for Baby Eczema
Caring for your baby eczema involves a combination of gentle baby skincare and avoiding triggers. Here are some tried-and-true tips for soothing your baby’s skin at home:
1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Keeping your baby’s skin hydrated is crucial. Apply a thick fragrance-free moisturiser multiple times a day, especially after baths. Look for ointment or creams that are specifically formulated for sensitive or eczema prone skin.
Try: Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream, Mustela Stellatopia Emollient Balm, Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Cream.
2. Bath Time Tips
Give your baby short, lukewarm baths (around 5 to 10 minutes long) and use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. After bath, pat their skin dry with a soft towel, leaving it slightly damp, and applying moisturiser immediately.
Try: Aveeno Baby Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash, Mustela Stellatopia Cleansing Oil, Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash.
3. Dress for Comfort
Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton for your baby’s clothing. Avoid wool or synthetic fibres like polyester that can irritate their skin. Also, dress your baby in layers to prevent overheating.
4. Manage Scratching
Scratching can make the rash worse, leading to an infection, or cause the irritated skin to get thicker. It can be tough to keep your baby from scratching, especially at night. Keep their nails trimmed short, and consider using soft mittens or socks on their hands during sleep to prevent damage to their skin.
5. Identify and Avoid Triggers
Pay attention to what might be triggering your baby’s eczema. You might want to keep a diary to track flare-ups and identify patterns.
6. Choose Gentle Products
Use mild, fragrance-free soaps and laundry detergents that are formulated for sensitive skin.
7. Keep Their Environment Comfortable
Use a humidifier in your baby’s room to maintain moisture in the air, especially during the winter months.
When to See a doctor?
While many cases of baby eczema can be managed at home, it’s important to know when to seek medical advice. You should see a doctor if:
- The eczema is severe or covers a large area of your baby’s body.
- Home treatments aren’t improving the condition.
- Your baby’s skin becomes infected, which can appear as yellow crusts, pus-filled blisters, or red, swollen areas.
- Baby seems very uncomfortable or is having trouble sleeping due to itching.
Your baby’s pediatrician can diagnose and treat eczema. If your baby has recurring or severe symptoms, their pediatrician might recommend visiting a dermatologist (a skincare specialist).
Your baby’s doctor may recommend a prescription cream or ointment to help manage their symptoms or advice on further allergy testing if they suspect an underlying trigger.
Conclusion on Baby Eczema
Dealing with baby eczema can be challenging, but with the right care and attention, you can keep your baby’s skin as comfortable as possible.
Remember, many parents face this, and most babies outgrow eczema or see significant improvements as they get older.
With patience and a bit of trial and error, you’ll be able to manage your baby’s eczema and keep those adorable cheeks soft and smooth.
