Subscribe
Pediatric eczema
Can calamine lotion be used for baby eczema?
Infant eczema is a common skin condition in babies and toddlers. Generally, we do not recommend the use of calamine lotion for eczema, as although it has an itch-relieving effect when applied locally, it can make the skin even drier. Therefore, if the skin is itchy, temporarily using calamine lotion is possible, but it is not recommended for long-term use in treating eczema. The treatment of eczema consists of 60%-70% moisturizing and 30%-40% may involve the use of mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. Overall, moisturizing is the main treatment for eczema, while hormone therapy can be a supportive treatment. Calamine lotion can be temporarily used to relieve itching, but it is not recommended as a standard treatment method for eczema. Additionally, for infants who are on formula, it is important to use hydrolyzed protein formula, and if breastfeeding, the mother’s diet needs to be carefully managed.
What is baby eczema?
Pediatric eczema is usually caused by several factors. First, genetic factors are serious; second, it is due to immune function. Children with weaker immune systems are particularly prone to eczema; third, it is due to environmental conditions, specifically the humidity of the environment. For example, the area around a child's diaper or the indoor air might be humid, and these conditions can lead to the development of eczema in children. Typically, due to weaker immunity in children, once they contract eczema, it tends to recur and persist. Therefore, in addition to symptomatic treatment with eczema creams or traditional Chinese medicine washes, it is best to avoid using hormonal medications. At the same time, it is important to keep the skin of the affected area dry and avoid damp conditions as much as possible to prevent recurrence.
Pediatric eczema, what department to see?
Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic and recurrent skin disease that is particularly common in infants and toddlers. When a child has eczema, it primarily appears on the face, and severe cases can affect the entire body. Since eczema primarily affects the skin, when a child has eczema, they can visit a dermatologist. Generally, children's hospitals have specialized pediatric dermatology departments. Even if a general hospital does not have a pediatric dermatology department, it is still possible to seek treatment there. At the same time, pediatricians also have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating infant eczema, so consulting a pediatrician in a general hospital can also provide excellent care for the child.
Can infantile eczema be contagious?
Pediatric eczema, which is not contagious, is also known as atopic dermatitis. It is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease. Most children develop this condition in infancy and it can persist into childhood and adulthood, indicating a significant hereditary component that can impact quality of life. Contact with a child who has eczema will not transmit the condition to another person or child, as it is non-infectious. The occurrence of eczema is not due to exposure to someone with the condition, but rather due to individual factors and is definitely unrelated to contagion. Although the exact mechanisms triggering eczema are still unclear, they are primarily associated with genetics, environmental immunity, and biological factors, not with infectious disease. Eczema is non-contagious.
What age can infantile eczema recover?
Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common skin disease in infants and children under three years of age. Most children’s eczema is controlled between the ages of one and one and a half years, but a few may continue to experience symptoms until after the age of three or even into childhood. In severe cases, the eczema can persist into adulthood. This depends on the child's own constitution and physical condition. For children who are inherently allergic, the duration of eczema can be particularly prolonged. If the eczema is due to an allergy to breast milk or formula, it can be well controlled once breastfeeding is stopped, or the formula is switched to a hypoallergenic hydrolyzed protein formula.
When will baby eczema get better?
Infant eczema is a common skin disease in infants and young children, also known as atopic dermatitis or a hereditary skin disease, and is related to factors such as allergies and the environment. Most cases of infant eczema gradually improve between the ages of one and three. Some children with allergic constitutions may continue to experience eczema throughout childhood, adolescence, and even into adulthood. However, for the vast majority of children, eczema resolves by the age of one to three. Once eczema is diagnosed, it is essential to maintain skin hydration and avoid contact with allergens. When necessary, under the guidance of a doctor at a hospital, use of mild corticosteroid creams may be recommended to control the outbreaks of eczema.
What should be done about infant eczema in the summer?
If the baby has eczema, the hot weather and increased sweating during summer can easily aggravate the condition. Therefore, it is essential to keep the child cool. If it is hot outside and the child is sweating profusely, try to keep the child indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned room. However, the air in air-conditioned rooms is quite dry, which can also worsen eczema. In such cases, it is necessary to use a humidifier, which can effectively prevent worsening of eczema due to heat and excessive sweating during summer. Additionally, even in summer, it is important to keep the child's skin moisturized. If the eczema is particularly severe, it is also necessary to use mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. Children who are formula-fed should continue with amino acid-based formula and hydrolyzed protein formula.