How to treat infant eczema?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Infant eczema is a common skin problem in infants and toddlers, also known as atopic dermatitis. The first thing to pay attention to when a child has eczema is to moisturize the affected skin. Eczema is caused by dry skin, so moisturizing is particularly important. On top of moisturizing, under the guidance of a doctor at the hospital, we can use some mild corticosteroid creams. Through such measures, eczema can generally be well controlled.

However, the biggest characteristic of eczema is that it is particularly prone to recurrence, so for children, we must treat it through diet and allergens. For children who drink formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, the child should be fed amino acid formula or hydrolyzed protein formula. For breastfed children, the diet of the nursing mother needs to be controlled – beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and foods containing distiller's grains should be avoided.

(The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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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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Is infantile eczema contagious?

Pediatric eczema is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin condition that typically presents during infancy and early childhood. Some children may continue to experience symptoms into childhood and even adulthood. It is characterized by skin damage but is not infectious; thus, pediatric eczema is not contagious, which should reassure parents. The causes of pediatric eczema are complex and relate to immune dysfunction or deficiency, and nutritional disorders. External factors also play a role, such as allergies to milk, fish, shrimp, or eggs, as well as mechanical irritation or improper care, all of which can lead to eczema. However, it is not contagious. Poor care can lead to local bacterial infections of the skin, which parents must be careful to avoid.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can eczema be inherited?

Eczema does not have a genetic predisposition. Patients with atopic dermatitis likely experience rashes due to genetic factors, and their offspring may also inherit this propensity for allergies. However, different members within the same family can suffer from different allergic diseases.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What should I do if eczema is caused by excessive dampness?

For patients suffering from eczema caused by excessive dampness, initially, using a warm towel compress can help alleviate symptoms. It is also important to bathe frequently, maintain cleanliness, and keep dry to effectively prevent and improve the condition. Alternatively, spending more time in the sun, using a sauna, or soaking feet in warm water can also provide some relief. These methods can effectively prevent and treat the condition. Excessive dampness is often related to habitual overexertion and improper diet.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Symptoms of eczema

Eczema is divided into acute, subacute, chronic, and some special types of eczema. Acute eczema is characterized by millet-sized papules appearing on erythema, subacute eczema is characterized by reduced erythema and exudation, chronic eczema results from the lingering of acute and subacute eczema, and special types of eczema are mainly manifested in the location of onset.