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Eczema sufferers are believed to have a problem with their immune system which causes the condition but as yet no-one has discovered how this occurs. It is widely believed that it is triggered by some external allergen which causes the skin changes typically found on 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. In the USA, it can affect anything between 10 and 20 percent of infants.
In the majority of these cases, the condition resolves by the time they reach two years of age. In some cases however, the condition becomes chronic and may continue into adulthood. This skin complaint can affect anyone at any age but is seen most in babies and infants. Although statistics vary, almost all sufferers will have experienced bouts of this condition since their fifth birthday but almost one third before they were a year old.
When baby eczema is found it affects their face and head but can also be found on their legs and arms. Whilst atopic eczema is often found in family groups, a child can often have this condition flare up when their skin has not been kept moisturized. Mothers must be watchful about the types of detergents their baby's clothes are washed in as these are known to trigger inflammation. It would also seem that breastfeeding has preventative properties as a link between baby eczema and mothers who wean their babies early has been found.
Some instances of this skin complaint have also been linked to a variety of medical problems which seem to trigger the inflammation. Food allergies in the baby or allergic rhinitis can also cause this condition to flare up but if the baby's mother suffers with asthma, this can also be a contributing factor. The number of childhood cases where food is responsible for the condition is considerable at almost 30 percent; once the foodstuff causing the problem is discovered, it is just a simple matter of taking out of the child's meals. However simple this actually is, belies the time it might take to find the food group by trial and error; some of these groups are mentioned below:
- Fish from either freshwater or the sea
- Milk
- Bread
- Products containing eggs
- Foods where peanut oil may have been used
Baby eczema is often the result of antibiotics given to the baby when it is born, as many doctors will attest. Treating babies requires a little more thought as they cannot tell us what irritates them so only bath them in lukewarm water and use fragrance free, hypoallergenic creams. After washing, a baby needs to be dressed in natural fabrics such as cotton; using only fragrance-free products, can also help. Wearing mittens is one way to stop a baby scratching their inflamed skin, which could lead to infection, or their nails could be kept short. Unfortunately, baby eczema sometimes needs further help and in these cases, the doctor might prescribe the use of antihistamines to relieve the itching; when required it is not uncommon for the child to have steroid cream applied to the affected area but this cannot be done for very long. One thing is certain; this skin disorder is very common, yet remains a difficult form to control and fully overcome.
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