Does your newborn baby have eczema?
Also known as atopic dermatitis, it influences approximately 13 percent of all children Under 18 in the United States.
The situation is characterized by dry, itchy, bumpy, hasty and inflamed skin. You can also notice skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation).
It is a helpless feeling, seeing how your little one struggles with this type of skin condition and you ask how you can help without making the symptoms worse.
In this article we investigate baby eczema and give you the information you need to determine if your baby has it – and if so, what you can do to help manage it safely and effectively.
What is Baby Eczema?
Baby -eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that makes the baby’s skin dry, itchy, bumpy and susceptible to red rash. It happens because the barrier of the skin is weakened, making the skin more sensitive to irritating substances and allergens.
But why do some babies get it while others don’t do that? Doctors are not exactly certain, but they believe it comes from a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic factors
If eczema runs in your family, your baby will develop earlier. Scientists have discovered that a mutation in filaggrins (that helps the skin to stay firm and hydrated) is strongly associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema). Research shows That 20 to 30 percent of people with eczema have a filag grining well compared to 8 to 10 percent of the general population without eczema.
A mutation in this gene leads to the production of proteins that affect the barrier function of the skin. It also leads to a shortage of moisture, causing excess water to be lost due to the skin.
Other genes and environmental factors also play a role.
Other causes
Problems in the skin barrier – not related to gene mutations – can also cause eczema. In some cases it occurs when the body makes too little fat cells, called ceramides. Without enough of them, the skin easily loses water and it becomes very dry, which in turn weakens the outer barrier even more.
Other possible causes are:
- Immune system malfunctions
- Mother’s age At the time of birth (for unknown reasons, children of older women develop eczema rather than children born with younger women)
- Endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease
- Certain environments– Children in higher social classes, people who live in urban areas with higher levels of pollution, and those in colder climates are all more risk.
Environmental factors
Even if eczema is not in your family, environmental factors can activate it. These can include the following:
- Irritating substances such as soap, detergents, scented lotions and raw fabrics
- Allergens such as dust mites, pets dire or certain foods
- Weather changes (cold air and low humidity can dry out the skin)
- Warmth and sweat (too much heat can make itching worse)
- Saliva (drooling can cause eczema flare-ups around the mouth and cheeks)
How can I see if my baby has eczema?
It is not always clear whether your baby has eczema or just a small red skin or acne. Search for these common signs:
- Dry, rough or flaky skin
- For babies with light skin, the rash can have red or pink spots (especially on the face, scalp, feet, arms and legs); In babies with dark skin it can look purple -like, brownish or grayish.
- Itchy skin (babies can rub their faces against bedding to scratch)
- Small, raised bumps that can walk out or crust
- Thickened or leathery skin by frequent scratching
Baby eczema makes your baby’s skin dry and can cause itchy pieces of skin that form rash. Eczema can also cause bumps on your baby’s skin. Baby acne can solve in itself, but baby eczema needs treatment to rehydrate your baby’s skin.
Your doctor can help to diagnose the condition. They will examine the baby and then perform tests to determine the cause. The tests can include a blood test, allergy test and/or a skin biopsy.
What makes baby eczema and decreases?
Different triggers can make eczema worse. Every baby is different, so what bothers one child cannot bother the other. Some of the most common triggers are similar to the above -mentioned environmental factors and include:
- Dry air (especially in winter)
- Smell In lotions, detergents and soap
- Certain substances (Wool and Polyester are common perpetrators)
- Saliva and drool (causes rash on the face)
- Certain foods (In some cases, dairy, eggs or nuts)
- Dust, pollen or skin flakes
The easiest way to identify your baby’s triggers is to keep a baby -eczema diary. Write when flare-ups happen and what your baby was exposed to that day (new food, detergent, extra dry weather, etc.). Over time you can spot patterns and then you can work to help your baby avoid the biggest triggers.
What are the best treatments for baby eczema?
Baby -eczema needs treatment to help heal the skin and make the symptoms disappear. The best treatment is the use of a moisturizing cream during the day to keep the baby’s skin hydrated.
Your doctor can recommend a steroid cream or antihistamine, but you can also try more natural treatments at home to prevent both flare-ups and to calm them when they occur.
If you are looking for something natural, choose moisturizing creams and ointments such as CV SkinLabs formulas that do not irritate your baby’s skin, are safe for babies and clinically proven to reduce itching, redness and irritation. These include very moisturizing ingredients of the skin repair helping to restore the delicate natural moisture barrier of the skin.
All CV SkinLabs formulas are hypoallergenic, odor-free, petroleum-free, steroid-free and free of potentially harmful ingredients.
1. Keep the skin hydrated (always!)
Remember that your baby’s skin probably has difficulty staying hydrated because the skin barrier is weakened. That means that it needs more moisture than normal because it cannot stick to what it has. Apply a scent-free cream at least twice a day, especially immediately after the bathtime mast, more is needed. Search for products without scents that have ceramides and natural oils to help strengthen the skin barrier.
*Safe and soothing choice: CV SkinLabs offers non-toxic, hypoallergenic skin care that is safe enough for use on babies! It helps to cure irritated skin and restore moisture without hard chemicals or irritating substances. These super calming formulas include oats extract and other vegetable ingredients to calm down the skin and help heal eczema flare-ups. Apply our calming moisture to the baby’s face and then use our Body Repair lotion for the rest of the body.
2. Choose odor -free, soft products
You can reduce the chance of a flare -up by using odor -free, soft products in your home.
B Imh soap, detergents and other products can get rid of the skin of its natural oils and aggravate eczema. Try safer options such as odor -free body flushes, hypoallergenic and odor -free detergents and soft, breathable substances such as 100 percent cotton or bamboo.
3. Give short, lukewarm baths
Hot water can dry out the skin, so lukewarm baths are better to prevent irritation. Use a soft, moisture -rich cleaning agent and immediately apply moisturizing cream after drying to lock hydration.
Extra soothing tips:
- Use bath products based on oatmeal, because oatmeal soothes naturally
- Limit bath time to 5-10 minutes
- Beat the skin dry – but don’t rub
4. Stop scratching it
It may be difficult to prevent your baby from scratching, but scratches the skin breaks, which can lead to infections. Try to keep the baby’s hands covered and relaxing itchy spots as soon as they appear with our rescue and auxiliary spray.
- Use cotton mittens or socks on your hands
- Keep the baby’s nails short and submitted flexible
- Apply cool compresses to itchy areas
*Safe and soothing choice: Apply our cooling, soothing rescue agreements in all areas that are inflamed, red or itching. It will immediately suppress the itch, reduce inflammation and calm the redness or rash, making the skin feel more comfortable while it also adds moisture.
5. Treat seeking or cracked skin
If your baby’s skin starts to see or crack, use a healing balm or ointment to protect the area and promote healing. Whitling eczema often indicates that the skin barrier is seriously affected, making it more vulnerable to infection. Applying a rich, protective balm helps to seal moisture, creating a barrier against bacteria and calming irritation.
*Safe and soothing choice: Use our restorative skin balls on seeping or cracked skin. It is not toxic and designed to calm inflammation and repair sensitive skin without hard chemicals. It can help treat the current flare-up, while it protects the skin barrier to prevent future flare-ups.
Restorative skin balm is also a great softening that helps keep moisture to be locked in the skin. It contains no petroleum, mineral oil or steroids and can be used for more than cure eczema. Use it to help heal and calm down the painted skin of the baby of teething problems, diaper rash, chapped skin and more.
Will my baby’s eczema disappear?
According to the Mayo Clinic, most babies will outgrow their eczema by the time they are 3 to 5 years old. This can be a reassuring thought if your little one is struggling with that itchy red rash!
According to the National Eczema SocietyHowever, if your child has a mutation in filaggrins, they will not grow out. Even if it seems to go back, it can return during teenage years or in adulthood.
The good news is that once you know how to manage it, you can teach your child how to do the same as they get older. This will help them learn the basic principles from a daily skin care routine with which they can enjoy more comfortable, healthy skin in their adult years.
Does your little one struggle with baby -eczema?
Featured image by Helena Lopes via Pexels.
