What should I do if a child's eczema is oozing?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on November 18, 2024
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Infant eczema, if accompanied by oozing skin, generally indicates a severe condition, primarily treated with topical medications. Calamine lotion can be applied to the affected area. If necessary, corticosteroid ointments may also be used externally, and attention must be paid to preventing local skin infections. Oral antihistamines may be administered to manage the condition, and it is important to keep the skin clean. Avoid the intake of irritating foods. If the condition of the baby worsens, it is advisable to take the child to the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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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.

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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 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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
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Can calcined gypsum be used for infant eczema?

If a child has eczema, in principle, we do not recommend the routine use of calamine. Calamine has an antipruritic effect, but after use, the local skin becomes particularly dry, which can exacerbate eczema. Therefore, when a child has eczema, the first thing we must do is to maintain the local skin's moisture. Apply a thick layer of moisturizer, and on top of that, under the guidance of a hospital doctor, use some mild corticosteroid creams. Although calamine can relieve the local skin itching symptoms caused by eczema, it ultimately has no therapeutic effect on eczema, so we do not consider calamine as a common medication for treating eczema. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)