Unfortunately, parents with eczema are likely to have children with eczema as well. And if you are an eczema sufferer, you know how irritating and frustrating this condition can be.
Eczema can show up as early as an infant’s first few months of life and unfortunately, last a lifetime. Oftentimes it looks like crusty, red patches of skin on your baby’s cheeks or near the joints of their arms and legs. While there are many ways to treat the symptoms of eczema, a way to cure it completely has yet to be discovered. There are over-the-counter options, home remedies, and prescription treatment options that a dermatologist can recommend to help relieve the discomfort that eczema causes. If you are searching for treatment options and cannot wait to see your dermatologist, below are a few home remedies you can try to help relieve the discomfort your child is having.
Apply a wet wrap to help rehydrate and calm the skin. Doing this will help boost the moisture in and on your skin. After your skin is feels moist, use a thick moisturizer that contains oatmeal. Oatmeal has been found to calm irritated skin. Wet wraps work extremely well after a shower or bath.
Try a soothing bath. Add colloidal oatmeal to your child’s bath can help relieve itchy, dry skin. When adding the oatmeal to your child’s bath, make sure the water is lukewarm and not hot. Hot water can irritate dry skin and make eczema worse. Have your child soak for about 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid scrubbing the affected area with anything harsh, including a washcloth.
Moisturize. After the bath or wet wrap, apply your child’s moisturizer within 3 minutes to keep that moisture in the skin. Using a moisturizer at least once a day.
Avoid harsh soaps or added perfumes. Consider switching your laundry detergent to something that is perfume-free and avoid using fabric softeners. Eczema sufferers often find that added ingredients such as dyes, perfumes, etc. can cause more irritation.
If you’re finding that your child is not getting any relief with over the counter medications or home remedies, seeking the help from a dermatologist would be a great next step. There are many therapies that a dermatologist can perform to help relieve the stress of eczema. Some of these therapies include phototherapy or stronger topical medications. Phototherapy exposes the skin to a special ultraviolet light that helps reduce itchiness, calms inflammation, and increases vitamin D production.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about medical, cosmetic, mohs, and surgical dermatology. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed dermatologist or other health care worker.