Expert tips to help care for baby eczema

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Scratches, rashes, bumps, lumps – it can feel like every time you put your little one to bed, you find something new on them by morning. If you’ve got a case of baby eczema or sensitive skin on your hands, and feeling lost on how to soothe sensitive skin or what causes eczema in babies, read on for expert advice from paediatricians Mona Gohara MD and Kavita Mariwalla MD.

First, a bit of background on the skin condition. Wondering what does baby eczema look like? Skin affected by baby eczema (also called Atopic Dermatitis) can look red, inflamed, dry, and usually shows within the first six months of a baby’s life. Baby eczema on face value can seem worrying but, with care, symptoms can disappear as a child grows older.

This irritated skin is only the half of it – some baby eczema causes skin to become uncomfortably itchy, too. In fact, itchiness can cause 83% of children with baby eczema to have trouble sleeping. This is bad news for their skin barrier, which becomes weaker when your baby scratches, causing moisture loss and exposure to irritants. Needless to say, this cycle is often stressful on parents.

Now over to Dr. Mona and Dr. Kavita for their top eczema care tips.

1
Know your little one’s baby eczema triggers
Getting familiar with what might make your little one’s eczema worse is the most important step in knowing how to help baby eczema symptoms. Common triggers can include scratchy wool clothes, polyester, perfumes, body soaps, laundry soaps, heat, and sweat.
2
Quick soak
Keep bath time to ten minutes at most and use lukewarm water. This helps to hydrate and cool their skin. Use a gentle, soothing cleanser made with colloidal oatmeal and prebiotic moisturisers, and avoid cleansers with a fragrance or ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.
3
Smear on your baby eczema cream
When your baby is out of the bath, pat the skin dry with a soft cotton towel, and within minutes apply your prescribed baby eczema cream. Follow with a moisturiser that’s suitable for baby eczema-prone skin.
4
File those fingernails
Keep your child’s fingernails short to stop them from scratching. Scratching can lead to skin irritation and infection.
5
Find your calm zone
Sometimes, despite all of your efforts, the rash on your little one’s skin will persist. It’s okay to feel frustrated. Rest assured, there have been many medical advances that can help you figure out what to use for baby eczema. See your dermatologist for further treatment – you’ll soon realise lots of parents are going through the same thing.