Eczema in Babies

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin disorder amongst babies and toddlers. Usually, it affects newborn babies and those infants who are under one year old. About 20 percent babies are diagnosed with this itchy skin problem. And the painful part is, that the little angels cannot express their discomfort symptoms. At the most, they cry continuously, and do not feed and sleep properly. Hence, for parents, it is very important to understand the causes, symptoms and effective treatment for eczema in babies.

Eczema in Babies: Causes and Symptoms

The causes for eczema in babies are still unknown to health experts. Nevertheless, according to them, baby eczema is triggered by several factors, some of which include dry skin, reactions in feeding, environmental allergens and heat. In most cases, eczema in babies is developed due to a genetic predisposition. Thus, babies born to parents having eczema, asthma or other allergies are at a higher risk of manifesting an eczema skin condition than others.

The most notable symptom of eczema in babies is severe itching that tends to continue for a few days. In the first outbreak of this skin problem, the affected baby exhibits mild, red skin rashes, which are either localized in specific body areas (cheeks, forehead and scalp) or scattered throughout the body. The eczema affected skin portions appear dry, scaly or at times, you may notice small red bumps and fluid-filled blisters. Constant scratching and irritating the baby's skin may lead to severe eczema in babies.

Eczema in Babies: Treatment and Remedies

In case, your baby is manifesting the above skin conditions, then you might be wondering how to cure eczema in babies. For parents and doctors, treating eczema in babies is easier said than done. After all, you are dealing with the baby's sensitive skin. Some of the prescribed natural remedies for eczema in babies are:

• Moisturize Baby Skin - As mentioned already, eczema affected skin looks dry and scaly. So, ensure that you use a good baby eczema lotion to keep the skin moist and less itchy.
• Diluted Bleach Bath - Effective cures for eczema in babies include bathing the baby in a diluted bleach water for two times in a week. In a bathtub filled with water, add half a cup bleach and soak the baby for approximately 5 minutes.
• Use Mild Soap - While bathing the baby, make sure you use recommended mild baby soaps and lukewarm water. And shampoo the baby only when you are done with the rest of the body. By doing so, you are shortening the time period that the baby sits in soapy water.
• Comfortable Clothing - Another very important tip for getting rid of eczema in babies is dressing her in comfortable clothes (preferably cotton and natural fabrics). Many parents tend to over dress the baby, which is a triggering factor for causing eczema skin condition.
• Keeping Clean - It is of utmost importance to keep the environment free of pollutants to help treat and prevent eczema in babies. Her bed sheets and clothes should be washed regularly with mild, non-allergenic detergents.

If the symptoms of eczema in babies persist for more than a week's period, consider taking advice from a pediatrician for therapeutic treatments. Never use anti-inflammatory or baby eczema treatment creams without consulting the doctor. While speaking about the precautions to prevent eczema in babies, employing correct tips for baby skin care are the best solution. You can massage your baby with massaging oils to prevent dryness. Or else, using a baby moisturizer two to three times daily will help in minimizing the risk of eczema in babies.