How to Treat Baby Eczema
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditAbout 20% of parents of infants need to find new ways to treat baby eczema. The eczema is seen as a scaly or bumpy rash typically on the baby’s facial area. However, it has been known to spread to arms, legs, and the rest of the body. In most cases, the rash begins when the baby is an infant and becomes less severe when the baby is 2 years of age. While no one knows exactly what causes this skin rash in infants, there are several ways to treat baby eczema.
Steps
Identify the Culprit Causing Eczema Outbreaks- Watch for eating habits that cause the eczema to worsen.
- Milk, high acid fruits, certain preservatives and colorings, eggs and seafood are known to trigger eczema.
- Because all babies are different, watch for eczema caused by other foods..
- Milk, high acid fruits, certain preservatives and colorings, eggs and seafood are known to trigger eczema.
- Identify any clothing, lotions or detergents that can cause an eczema outbreak.
- Bath your baby in lukewarm water to prevent skin from overdrying.
- Only use mild, if any, soaps.
- Keep baths as brief as possible to avoid prolonged exposure to the water.
- Do not allow your baby to sit in soapy water by applying soap and shampoo at the very end of the bath time.
- Use patting rather than rubbing to dry the baby.
- Moisturize skin with a mild, fragrance-free lotion that locks in moisture.
- Keep the affected area moisturized.
- Treat the affected area with a mild cortisone cream.
Be Cautious about the Clothes that are Used to Dress the Infant
- Use lightweight clothing, such as cotton, to allow the baby’s skin to breathe.
- Avoid heavy, scratchy material like wool.
- Wash the baby’s clothing in fragrance-free, mild detergents.
Tips
- Place soft socks or mittens on the baby’s hands to prevent him or her from scratching the affected areas.
- Use a humidifier in the baby’s room to help moisture in the air.
- Place the softest sheets possible in the baby’s crib.
- Keep the baby’s nails trimmed short, so scratches will be minor.
- Avoid using too many blankets around the baby that causes sweating.
Warnings
- Be careful about exposing the baby to rapid changes in temperature. Moving from warm or hot to cool or cold makes eczema worse.
- Do not try any home remedies or self treatments without discussing the procedure with a doctor or pediatrician.
Related wikiHows
- How to Take Care of Dry Skin
- How to Get Rid of Dry Skin
- How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Using a Lemon
- How to Rehydrate Skin
- How to Take Care of Your Skin
Sources and Citations
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Treat Baby Eczema. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
