Eczema in Babies
Baby eczema is becoming more and
more common in western societies. If your baby suffers
from it, you are not the only parent to be wondering what to
do. It can be very upsetting to see your baby so uncomfortable. If
you are worried about your baby's eczema, you should mention it to
your doctor or to the staff at any baby care clinic that you
attend.
So What Is Eczema?
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Ezcema is an irritating skin rash that your baby
will want to scratch. It can start at any age, but most commonly first appears
between the ages of 2 months and 24 months. It usually appears on the head (cheeks,
forehead and scalp), although babies may have it on other parts of the body
too.
Eczema is believed to be caused by the baby not
being able to tolerate some elements in food or the environment. Infant eczema is
on the increase and most people believe this is as result of more pollution and
chemicals entering our bodies in our modern industrial societies. There also seems
to be a hereditary element in the tendency to develop eczema.
It eases as children get older, and a large number
outgrow it completely, but that is not much comfort to the parent who has a sore,
red, crying baby right now!
What Can I Do For My Baby's Eczema?
There are many things that you can do to ease your
baby's eczema. Firstly, make sure your baby's skin does not become too dry. You can
find a very mild cream suitable for baby eczema to apply all over, immediately
after bathing your baby. In the bath, do not have the water too warm and use a
special mild soap. Ordinary soaps and lotions could irritate the skin.
Dress your baby in 100% cotton. Man-made fabrics
can cause the skin to sweat, leading to more irritation. Avoid wool and anything
that feels scratchy on the skin. Also, make sure that you always wash all the
family's clothes, bed sheets, towels, etc in a very mild detergent suitable for
people with sensitive skin. Any time you hold your baby, he or she comes in contact
with your clothes and could be affected by the detergent you are using.
Keep the house as clean as possible. Dust mites
are very common in most households and hard to avoid if you have many rugs and
carpets, but regular vacuum cleaning can help. Babies may also react to pollen, so
you could try keeping flowers out of the house for a while. Animals are another
common cause of irritation. If you have a pet, try to keep the house as free as
possible from their hairs.
Diet is often a factor and many parents switch
their babies from cow's milk products to soy because of eczema. Other foods may be
irritating your baby's system too. Ask your doctor if your baby can be tested for
food intolerances. If you are breastfeeding, you will have to eliminate any foods
your baby cannot tolerate from your own diet. But make sure that you and your baby
are still getting all the nutrients that you need.
The final point is to stop the baby scratching, as
that will only make him or her more uncomfortable. Keep your baby's fingernails
short and smooth, and have your baby wear cotton mittens and socks at all times to
lessen the damage that scratching will do.
Finally, if it persists, do speak to your doctor
about your baby eczema problem.
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