Will pediatric allergic eczema be contagious?

Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
Updated on December 18, 2024
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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 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 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.)

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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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 Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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What should I do if a child's eczema is oozing?

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
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Can olive oil be used for infant eczema?

It is not recommended to apply olive oil for baby eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. The treatment of eczema includes two aspects. The first is localized moisturizing, and the second is the use of mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. Olive oil, being an oily substance, is not suitable for eczema. Moisturizing for eczema should be done with a baby-specific moisturizer, which can effectively alleviate the dryness of the skin. Additionally, if olive oil is used, it can make the skin particularly greasy and impede skin breathability, hence it is not advised for use on children. It is very important to use a baby moisturizer.