How to treat infant eczema

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Eczema is an intensely itchy skin inflammation reaction caused by a variety of factors, including both external and internal causes. External factors include environmental climate changes, sunlight exposure, animal fur, cosmetics, etc. Internal factors mainly involve food, endocrine disorders, stress, and more. Treatment primarily targets these causes. If caused by external factors, efforts should be made to avoid them. If related to food allergies, such as milk or eggs, these allergenic foods should be avoided. Treatment can also include the use of anti-allergic ointments, commonly corticosteroid ointments, as well as oral anti-allergy medications to assist in treatment.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What to eat for eczema

Patients with eczema can choose some foods that have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness and relieving itching, strengthening the spleen and aiding digestion, cooling the blood and calming the liver. However, dietary therapy only plays a supporting role in treatment and is not a professional method. Therefore, patients with eczema must actively seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to treat baby eczema?

Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is mainly caused by an allergy to milk protein, so it is important to pay attention to the child's diet. Nursing mothers should avoid consuming beef, lamb, nuts, and seafood. Additionally, for children who are formula-fed, depending on the severity of the eczema, choose either amino acid formula or hydrolyzed protein formula. The treatment of eczema primarily involves moisturizing the skin. Therefore, applying a thick layer of moisturizer specifically designed for babies on the affected areas can be very effective in treatment. Furthermore, on top of moisturizing, under the guidance of a doctor in a hospital, a weak steroid cream can be used. With the above management, eczema can generally be controlled quickly.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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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.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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How to treat eczema with broken skin in children?

In cases of eczema in children, if there is broken skin, it is necessary to enhance skin care to prevent infection. Disinfectant solutions can be used to clean the skin, followed by the application of anti-inflammatory ointments to prevent infection of the wound. Additionally, attention should be paid to the fact that the skin in areas affected by eczema is sensitive and has lower self-immune capabilities, which can lead to worsening of the condition after infection, causing symptoms such as fever and sepsis. Therefore, once there is broken skin in the area affected by eczema, it is important to clean the wound promptly. If there are signs of pus formation, a specialist should examine and clean the wound, and oral anti-inflammatory medications may be necessary to prevent worsening of the infection. Also, dietary considerations should include avoiding spicy foods and those likely to cause allergies.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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Is milk crust eczema?

Milk cradle cap specifically refers to eczema on an infant's face, which is a facial skin inflammation that appears during the breastfeeding period. Therefore, some people call it milk cradle cap. From this perspective, milk cradle cap and eczema are the same, merely a specific type of eczema. There are many possible causes for this type of eczema in infants. It could be caused by parents overdressing the child, leading to overheated skin and localized inflammatory damage. It might also be due to improper daily care resulting in epidermal damage, or the child could be allergic to formula, or the mother might have consumed foods during breastfeeding that can cause allergies in the baby. It is recommended that parents take their child to a legitimate hospital for examination and treatment.