Treating A Child With Eczema

Atopic eczema affects both babies and children alike. An average of one in every child will develop eczema every year in the United States. The good news is that many do outgrow it before they reach their teenage year, but in the meantime coping methods must be found to deal with the day-to-day reality of living with eczema. Children sometimes have a much more difficult time living with eczema than do adults.

Eczema is often characterized as being a vicious cycle of a child itching or rubbing a spot of their skin that is irritating and by so doing, causing the skin to become red, sore, swollen and warm to the touch. This makes the condition worse by making the skin drier and itchier and causes the child to scratch it even harder. All that inflammation and itchiness causes the outer layer of the skin (known as the epidermis) to become damaged. The damage causes the skin to become very vulnerable to infections as well as very dry and easily becomes ultra-sensitive to allergens and irritants in the environment. This cycle just keeps going round and round with no end in sight.

One of the most essential tips to managing eczema for a child is to always, always make sure his or her skin is well moisturized. Run warm to lukewarm baths for your child (never hot) and make sure the baths last no longer than five minutes of thereabouts. Always use a mild soap or cleanser such as Dove or Neutrogena or a non-soap cleanser such as Cetaphil. It is a wise idea to check with your doctor about what types of cleansers are best geared for a child with eczema. Once your child is finished his or her bath, pat, don’t rub the skin gently and apply a moisturizing lotion or cream when skin is still damp. Always steer clear of cleansers, soaps and moisturizers that contain any scent whatsoever and also any products that contain alcohol.

Remember that children suffer from emotional stress just like adults do and stress is a surefire way to set off an eczema flare-up. Do everything you can to help your child to relax and stay calm. Make sure your child knows that you are always available to talk to. There are a variety of support groups, which can help both a child who is an eczema patient and his or her parent(s) to cope with the difficult situation. One of the best ones is the National Eczema Association for Science and Education (NEASE).

Other helpful tips for caring for a child with eczema includes doing everything you can to avoid excessive sweating and overheating. Keep your child from having to cope with the sudden highs or lows of temperature. Make an effort to keep your home cool in the summer months by using an air conditioner or lots of fans. In the wintertime the drier, cold air is not as capable of holding in moisture. Dry skin is a great deal more likely to become red, itchy and inflamed so always use a humidifier in your home (and especially in your child’s bedroom) to keep the level of humidity at a reasonable level.