EVEN BABIES CAN GET ECZEMA
Eczema, a term used to characterize various skin conditions, can affect all age groups. The symptoms of eczema are red patches on the skin that can be really itchy, and may cause the skin to become scaly and dry. Statistics actually show that this type of skin disease can affect up to 20 percent of babies. It’s chronic, and can cause much discomfort. Fortunately for some, this can be outgrown. For others, though, they are constantly vulnerable to getting flare-ups.
What Causes Eczema
The causes of eczema have yet to be clearly defined. However, studies have shown that it can be genetically inherited. That’s why it is best to take precaution to protect your kid if you know that you have a history of eczema.
There are some kinds of food that can cause flare-ups in eczema patients. The most likely causes are cows’ milk, eggs, as well as soy, peanuts, wheat, and fish. However, keep in mind that food is only a trigger for around 30 percent of eczema patients and is a main trigger in only approximately 10 percent of cases. There are still other factors to consider, the most important of which is skin care.
Caring For a Baby Afflicted With Eczema
• Dress your baby in light, natural fabrics. Cotton is good, as this will allow your baby’s body to breathe. Make sure to avoid wool and other scratchy materials as these can irritate your baby’s delicate skin.
• Keep your baby from going from a very cold place to a hot place (and vice versa) as rapid changes in temperature and humidity may trigger outbreaks.
• Make sure that your house is always clean because dust mites can also be triggers. Allergens such as pollen and animal dander can be triggers too, and it would be good if you can install air filters in your home and get rid of carpets to lessen these.
• Do switch to milder soaps and shampoos, or those especially made for a baby’s skin. Use milder detergents when washing your baby’s clothes too.
• Prevent your baby from scratching by always keeping his nails short and making him wear mittens and socks. You can also talk to a doctor if your baby is having a hard time sleeping because of the condition so that the doctor can prescribe an antihistamine.
Make sure to bring your baby to the doctor when the first signs of eczema appear.
This way, your baby’s condition can be diagnosed properly. If your baby does have eczema, following the above rudiments can surely help abate your baby’s discomfort.