How to treat baby eczema?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 06, 2024
00:00
00:00

Infant eczema is a common type of skin allergic inflammation in children, with a higher incidence in infants and young children. General care for infant eczema primarily involves skin care, focusing on moisturizing the skin. Children who are allergic in nature are more susceptible to eczema triggered by allergens, hence it is crucial to avoid allergens. It is advisable to wear cotton clothing, preferably in light colors, which are soft and comfortable. It is best to avoid synthetic fibers or animal fur clothing, as these can easily cause allergies. Additionally, skin moisturizing is important; it is recommended to keep bath times under ten minutes and the water not too hot. Avoid using alkaline bath products, which can scrub the baby's skin and potentially damage the skin barrier, worsening the eczema. The recommended water temperature is around 38 degrees Celsius, and bathing time should not exceed ten minutes. Room temperature should not be too warm. The room's air humidity should be maintained between 50% to 70%. It is advisable for infants not to be overly full when feeding, as excessive food intake can burden their digestive system and potentially exacerbate eczema. Mothers should be cautious with their diet, avoiding spicy, stimulating foods or allergenic foods like seafood. For baby rashes, moisturizers, predominantly those with a simple composition like mineral oil and free of dyes and fragrances, are recommended. Avoid using diluted lotions with a high water content. Applying moisturizer within about 3 minutes after bathing can optimize moisture retention. If the eczema is extensive with noticeable exudation or redness, and the baby is noticeably distressed, further medical consultation should be sought at a hospital. Dermatologists can prescribe appropriate medication based on the baby’s condition. It is generally not recommended for parents to use corticosteroid ointments on their own due to potential side effects and risks of improper use.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
25sec home-news-image

How to deal with anal eczema?

Anal eczema can be treated with oral medication and topical application. If there is a primary disease, it should be actively treated. Additionally, it is important to improve the living environment; consume less spicy and irritating food; exercise to enhance physical fitness; and keep the anal area clean and dry. It is advised to seek medical treatment promptly and avoid the misuse of topical medications.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
47sec home-news-image

Symptoms of scrotal eczema

Scrotal eczema is a common type of eczema that is confined to the scrotal skin and can sometimes extend around the anus, and less commonly to the penis. Clinically, it often presents symptoms of chronic eczema: the scrotal skin becomes dry and thickened, with deeper wrinkles and a walnut-like appearance, often with thin crusts and scales, and darkened skin pigmentation, although there can also be pigment loss due to scratching. When exudation occurs, the scrotal skin can show erythema, edema, crusting, and fissuring. There is often intense itching, which can prevent sleep. Due to the difficulty of treatment and recurrent nature, the scrotal skin can undergo lichenification.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Is eczema contagious?

Infectious diseases are communicable diseases caused by the infection of pathogenic microorganisms or parasites, whereas eczema is an allergic reaction of the body itself and thus is not contagious. In daily life, whether it is through conversation, sharing utensils or bath items, or even direct contact with the rash of an affected individual, transmission does not occur, and family members of the patient do not need to take any protective measures. If you are around someone with eczema, there is no need for caution or discrimination, which is completely unnecessary. Some might worry whether scrotal eczema can be transmitted sexually. Sexually transmitted diseases are primarily transmitted through sexual contact or activities similar to sexual behaviors, while scrotal eczema is a common inflammatory reaction of the scrotal skin, triggered by a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction due to both internal and external factors, and it is not contagious. Therefore, scrotal eczema is not a sexually transmitted disease.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Da Wei
Dermatology
1min 57sec home-news-image

Symptoms of eczema

Eczema is an intensely itchy skin inflammation reaction caused by various internal and external factors. It is categorized into three phases: acute, subacute, and chronic. 1. Acute eczema: Initially, the skin lesions appear as numerous, densely packed millet-sized papules, vesicopapules, or small vesicles with a reddish base that gradually merge into patches. Due to scratching, the tops of the papules, vesicopapules, or vesicles break open, leading to distinctive punctate exudation and minor erosion with unclear margins. If secondary infection occurs, the inflammation becomes more pronounced, possibly forming pustules, crusts, folliculitis, and boils. There is severe itching. Commonly affected areas include the head, face, behind the ears, extremities, scrotum, and perianal region, often symmetrically distributed. 2. Subacute eczema: Following the reduction of acute eczema inflammation, skin lesions primarily consist of small papules, crusts, and scales, with only a few vesicopapules and erosions, yet intense itching persists. 3. Chronic eczema: Often, chronic eczema results from reoccurring episodes of acute and subacute eczema that do not resolve, or it may start as chronic eczema. Characteristics include thickened, infiltrated skin at the affected sites, which tend to be brownish-red or have pigmentation, a rough surface covered with scales, or crusting caused by scratching. There is severe itching. Common sites include the lower legs, hands, feet, elbows, knees, genitals, and anus. The duration of the disease is variable, it is prone to relapse, and is often long-lasting without resolution.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

Can eczema spread?

Generally, based on the distribution characteristics of eczema rashes, we can divide it into localized eczema and generalized eczema. Localized eczema occurs in specific areas, such as the hands, ears, vulva, perianal area, breasts, elbow pits, popliteal fossae, and lower legs. These eczema cases generally do not spread but are relatively fixed. Generalized eczema, however, can be locally scattered or spread throughout the body. When care is improper, due to excessive scratching, scalding with hot water, failure to treat promptly or incorrectly, excessive use of steroids, or if it is accompanied by other internal diseases (such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc.) that are not well controlled, then the range of the eczema rashes might spread throughout the body.