Parenting Hacks: Dealing With Eczema On Babies

If you have a baby with eczema, you’re not alone. Baby eczema (including atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that affects millions of babies and children worldwide. While there is no cure for eczema, treatments can help improve your baby’s symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This blog post will share helpful tips and tricks to treat baby eczema.

How Can You Treat Eczema in a Baby?

Fig. 1. Eczema can affect even babies.

Having a baby with eczema can be a challenge. In addition to the apparent discomfort that your little one is experiencing, you must always be on guard, especially since your baby can’t tell you what they’re feeling.

Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to make life easier. Here are five hacks for dealing with a baby with eczema:

1. Keep your baby’s skin moisturized.

One of the most important things you can do for a baby with eczema is to keep their skin well-moisturized. This process will help to soothe irritation and prevent flare-ups. Apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer after every bath and as needed throughout the day. Avoid harsh soaps or detergents, which can further dry your child’s skin barrier.

2. Use gentle products on your baby’s skin.

When selecting products for your baby’s skin, look for those labeled “hypoallergenic” or “fragrance-free.” Harsh chemicals and fragrances can irritate your child’s skin and trigger a flare-up. Instead, choose gentle cleansers, lotions, and other products designed specifically for sensitive and dry skin. You may also want to consider using natural remedies, such as coconut oil, which can benefit infant eczema sufferers.

3. Avoid triggers that can cause a flare-up.

Certain things can trigger a flare-up in people with eczema, such as weather changes, stress, sweating, and certain fabrics. Avoid your baby’s eczema triggers by limiting their exposure to specific elements or environments. For example, dress your child in loose-fitting clothing from breathable fabrics such as cotton. And be sure to bathe them immediately after sweating or being exposed to other irritants. By taking these precautions, you can help to prevent eczema flare-ups.

4. Keep the house cool.

It might be tempting to crank up the heat during winter, but it can worsen babies’ eczema. So, keep your home comfortable—not too hot or cold—to help minimize irritation. And make sure to dress your baby in layers so they can adjust if they feel too warm.

5. Avoid scratching.

Fig. 2. Give your babies mittens to prevent them from scratching the affected areas.

Scratching can damage the skin and lead to infection, so it’s essential to keep your baby from scratching as much as possible. One way to do this is to dress them in soft clothing that doesn’t irritate their skin. You can also trim their nails short to prevent them from being able to scratch too much. If your baby is scratching despite your best efforts, you may need to wrap their hands in soft mittens or cotton gloves.

Ways To Prevent Your Baby From Getting Eczema 

Eczema frequently leads to skin infections, so you must be able to recognize the early signs of an infection developing. These signs include redness, swelling, pus-filled bumps, crusting, blistering, fever, or worsening itchiness. If you notice any of these signs developing, call your child’s doctor immediately so they can start treating eczema as soon as possible and avoid complications from an untreated infection.

Also, be cautious with new foods. Introducing fresh foods to your baby’s diet can sometimes trigger eczema flare-ups. If you think a particular food might be causing your baby’s eczema to worsen, talk to your pediatrician about eliminating it from their diet for a few weeks to see if their symptoms improve.

How Do Other Parents Cope With Having A Baby With Eczema?

Fig. 3. Seek your doctor’s help right away.

If you already have a baby with eczema, you’re not alone. Many parents find themselves in the same boat and often feel overwhelmed trying to figure out the best way to manage their child’s condition. An excellent place to start is by keeping their skin moisturized and using mild soaps or detergents whenever possible. In addition, invest in soothing lotions or ointments designed explicitly for eczema-prone skin.

If you’re struggling to deal with your child’s eczema, seek support from others who understand what you’re going through. There are many online support groups for parents of children with eczema where you can find information and advice from others dealing with similar issues. You may also want to consider talking to a counselor or therapist who can help you manage the stress and anxiety that comes along with having a child with a chronic condition like eczema.

Finally, it’s best to speak to your pediatrician about treatment options. A doctor can prescribe some medications to help manage eczema symptoms, such as topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. However, in severe cases of eczema, oral corticosteroids may also cause short-term control flares.