Eczema is a very common type of dermatitis that occurs very commonly in infants under the age of two.
According to estimates, around one in five children under the age of two suffer from eczema in Australia.
It is a frustrating situation for parents with bubs dealing with eczema, and whilst there is no “cure” currently available, there are a number of effective ways to treat eczema.
What are the causes of eczema?
Whilst the exact causes of eczema are unclear in most cases, it is thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to an irritant.
The eczema is a reaction to this function within the body’s immune system to things such as coming into contact with rough objectives, feeling hot or cold or using certain products that contain products that just don’t agree with you.
Additionally, certain infections or viruses can also cause a flare up!
It is always good to look at potential external factors that could be irritating your baby’s skin to try and find the source of the problem.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
The first symptom of eczema is the itching sensation that occurs on the skin.
A red rash later appears, with bumps of different sizes. The rash may burn and may become crusty or ooze.
Some people are actually left with painful cracks in the skin if left untreated.
Eczema exhibits anywhere on the body, but is most common in adults and older children on the neck and flexures of the legs and arm, whilst with infants it usually presents on the torso or face
As babies begin to crawl more, the rash usually extends to the skin of the elbows and knees where they are making contact with the carpet or the floor.
For infants, particularly, it can be very painful and cause intense crying and may interfere with their sleep.
How do you treat eczema?
Whilst there is no “cure” for eczema, there are ways to manage the symptoms.
It is wise to test for the triggers that set off the flare up in yourself or your baby.
However, sometimes if there is no change in the patient after taking away key external elements, there are a number of things you can do to control the outbreak.
The first thing is to establish a hygiene routine. This should include bathing and moisturising daily, ensuring that the skin is clean, but does not dry out.
It helps to use products that are specifically designed to manage your eczema as part of this routine.
The team at Padbury Pharmacy have many suggestions as to what can be used to really stop your eczema in its tracks.
Another thing to look out for is stressful situations; both in the case of adults and babies.
Eczema is sometimes a physical manifestation of stresses, so learning to cope with these situations can actually help reduce the severity of your eczema.
Lastly, you should attempt to stop any rubbing or scratching that occurs. Avoid dressing yourself or your baby in itchy fabrics that will only exacerbate the problem.
If you find that after attempting all of these things that nothing eases the situation, visit the team at Padbury Pharmacy to discuss your options.
The Content on this blog post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.