Can infantile eczema be contagious?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 06, 2024
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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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.

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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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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
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What medicine should be used for infant eczema?

Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease that is fairly common in infants and young children. When eczema occurs, the affected area typically shows skin redness, followed by rashes and rough skin. Some may experience scaling and exudation, and the itching can be quite intense for the child. Eczema, as the name might suggest, is not caused by moist skin but rather by dry skin in the affected area, hence moisturizing makes up a significant part of the treatment. A thick layer of moisturizer specifically designed for infants should be applied to the child, three to four times a day. Based on the severity of the eczema, mild steroid creams can be used to effectively control the condition. For breastfed children, the mother should avoid consuming beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and fermented rice wine, as these might exacerbate the condition. For children on formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, amino acid-based formulas or extensively hydrolyzed protein formulas should be given.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric eczema should be treated in which department?

Children with eczema primarily exhibit symptoms of red, oozing plaques on the facial skin and the skin throughout the body, and even a seborrheic dermatitis-like appearance. Pediatric eczema is classified into dry eczema and the common exudative eczema. Once a child has eczema, the general treatment involves moisturizing care, and attention should be paid to the child's diet. For severe cases of eczema, medical consultation is necessary. Pediatric eczema falls under pediatric dermatology, so visiting the pediatric dermatology department at a children's hospital is appropriate. If a general hospital lacks a pediatric dermatology department, pediatricians also have extensive experience in treating pediatric eczema, so visiting a pediatric outpatient clinic is also advisable.