Baby eczema

Although a great deal of research has failed to discover the reason why eczema affects some people and not others it is clear that the immune system is involved. Typically, contact with some external allergen triggers an allergic reaction, leading to the typical skin symptoms and changes seen in sufferers. Baby eczema is first noticed as a reddish scaly rash on the baby's face which gradually worsens to the point where it becomes irritated and cracked. The situation is relatively serious with figures of anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of babies affected by this condition.

In the majority of these cases, the condition resolves by the time they reach two years of age. There are some cases though that do not clear up, even becoming serious enough to continue when they become adults. Although this skin disorder can affect someone at any stage in their life, it is most prevalent in infants. Approximately 33 percent of sufferers have had the condition before they were twelve months old and the majority before their fifth birthday.

When baby eczema is found it affects their face and head but can also be found on their legs and arms. This type, atopic eczema, tends to run in families and is often triggered when the baby's skin isn’t moisturized correctly. In some babies, wearing clothes that have been washed in certain detergents or treated with fabric softeners may trigger the condition. Other studies carried out on baby eczema have linked early weaning to be a causal effect.

Other medical conditions, such as respiratory infections, may also act as triggers. Food allergies, allergic rhinitis or mothers who also have an asthma condition are all reasons that could make it more likely that a child will suffer from this disorder. Specialists in food allergies believe that up to 3 cases in ten of childhood cases are because the child has a food allergy, however, if this is the situation, there is no longer any reason why the child should have it its diet once the problem food has been confirmed. some commonly implicated foods are:

Marine foods including shellfish
Food containing milk
Bread
Any type meal prepared using eggs
that contain peanuts

Baby eczema is often the result of antibiotics given to the baby when it is born, as many doctors will attest. Babies naturally have more sensitive skin so treating them requires bathing in lukewarm water and then using hypoallergenic creams, using only fragrance free products.Once out of the bath they need to be dried off carefully and then clothed in a soft natural cotton fabric which should prevent irritation. Baby's often scratch themselves so keeping their nails short is the way to prevent inflamed skin becoming infected from scratching. For infants with more serious baby eczema, antihistamine cream may be prescribed which should help stop the itching,the application of a steroid cream for a limited time to help heal the skin quicker may also be used. It is not yet possible to completely cure this skin complaint but at least a number of treatments can help ease the situation.