Can calamine lotion be used for baby eczema?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 14, 2024
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Can babies with eczema not take baths?

It is very clear that infants with eczema can take baths. If a baby has eczema, it indicates that the child has a specific type of dermatitis, which may include exudative skin damage locally, and in severe cases, even lichenoid lesions. Therefore, moisturizing plays a very important role in the treatment of pediatric eczema. After bathing the baby, it is crucial to apply a thick layer of baby moisturizing cream on the areas affected by eczema. For severe eczema, it is necessary to use mild corticosteroid ointments under the guidance of a doctor. If the child is on formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, it is advised to choose amino acid formula or extensively hydrolyzed protein formula. With active treatment, eczema can be well-managed.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Can children with eczema take cephalosporins?

Children with eczema can take cephalosporin antibiotics, provided that the child is not allergic to cephalosporins. As long as there is no allergy to cephalosporins, it will not cause any issue. However, some children with eczema are also of an allergic constitution, and in such cases, many medications are not suitable. If it is necessary for a child to take cephalosporins for the first time due to a medical condition, a skin test must be conducted. Only if the skin test shows no problems, then cephalosporins can be administered to the child. During the course of taking cephalosporins, it is crucial to closely monitor the child to see if an allergic rash, like hives, appears. Eczema in children is not directly related to cephalosporins, so as long as there is no allergy to cephalosporins and there is a bacterial infection that the doctor advises to treat with this medication, it can be used under the doctor's guidance.

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Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
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Will pediatric allergic eczema be contagious?

Childhood allergic eczema is not a contagious disease, so it is not transmissible. Eczema is a common skin allergic disease during infancy and early childhood, characterized by rashes and skin itching. The rash mostly appears on the neck, the perineum, and other areas, often recurring. The onset in some children is related to family genetics. When children develop eczema, they can apply calamine lotion topically or take antihistamine medication orally under the guidance of a doctor to relieve symptoms of skin itching. In terms of diet, it is advisable to avoid allergenic foods such as fish, shrimp, eggs, and seafood.

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Written by Liu Li
Pediatrics
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Can children with allergic eczema take baths?

Actually, children with atopic dermatitis can bathe because no matter what the cause, it's necessary to keep the skin clean. If they do not bathe, it will worsen the accumulation of waste and make the eczema more severe. However, there are certain precautions to take when bathing. It is important to use as few synthetic chemical bath products as possible or avoid them altogether to prevent a secondary infection. Additionally, for babies with eczema, it is sufficient to simply avoid the allergens that trigger the eczema.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
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Where does eczema occur in children?

Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common type of skin lesion in children. It mainly manifests as proliferative and exudative, and it is inflammatory. Infant eczema can appear all over the body. However, most children have it on their faces, and some children have it on their chests, particularly severe cases can have eczema all over their bodies. Once eczema is diagnosed, it is essential to first moisturize the affected skin areas to relieve the child's discomfort, and then use mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. For facial eczema, parents must apply a thick layer of baby moisturizer. Additionally, eczema in the ear area, especially inside the external auditory canal, might sometimes discharge yellowish fluid. Therefore, it is crucial to apply moisturizer thickly in these areas. These areas can cause significant discomfort for the child, so proactive treatment is very important.