Eczema also commonly known as dermatitis (derm-muh-TIE-tis) is an inflammatory reaction in the skin due to a variety of causes.
Children may get a form of genetically inherited eczema called “atopic dermatitis” (AD) during their first year of life. If a child gets AD during this time, dry and scaly patches appear on the skin. These patches often appear on the scalp and face as well as the folds of the neck, arms and legs.
No matter where it appears, AD is often very itchy. Infants may rub their skin against bedding or carpeting to relieve the itch to the point of bleeding.
In children of all ages, the itch can be so intense that they cannot sleep through the night leading to daytime irritability and difficulty in school. Scratching can lead to a secondary skin infection, so prompt intervention and treatment to prevent this is important.
Although many children will “outgrow” their eczema eventually, atopic dermatitis can be a chronic waxing and waning condition for many years which makes proper education on how to control and prevent flares so important for parents. Treatment and good skin care can alleviate much of the discomfort which makes for happy babies and happy rested families.
Contact Dr. Heather Roberts for further information.
Eczema Care
In controlling your eczema, remember:
- Keep your skin well lubricated. If skin feels dry, apply Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaniply Ointment or plain Vaseline after you rub in your cortisone cream or lotion. Applying body oil or moisturizers right after bathing will help keep your skin soft and smooth.
- Avoid using harsh or drying soaps on your eczema areas. Traditional soap can irritate and dry out the skin. When bathing or showering, warm water and non-soap cleansers like Cetaphil or CeraVe are preferred. Once your eczema is controlled, limit use of true “soap” to the “dirty areas” (i.e. face, armpits, genital area, and feet). If you must wash your hands frequently, try to use a non-soap cleanser, but if unavailable, thoroughly rinse off soap and apply a creamy moisturizer after each hand washing.
- Avoid overheating. Most persons with eczema find that hot weather and heavy sweating worsen their eczema. In hot weather, wear cool, loose cotton clothing, and try to stay in air-conditioned buildings.
- Avoid direct skin contact with wool or similar rough clothing.
- Avoid anything that aggravates your eczema including creams, makeup, perfumes, nail polish, hair dyes and chlorinated pools.
- It is usually possible to find a treatment routine that lets you control your eczema. Most treatments involve some form of cortisone ointment or cream initially. When properly applied, these medications can be used safely for years.
- If your eczema worsens and you cannot control it, please return so we can give you a different treatment.
- Bleach baths are often used to control and prevent eczema by reducing the level of bacteria living on the skin.