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Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a skin condition characterized by inflamed, itchy, dry patches that may ooze fluid. Newborns often develop eczema on their cheeks, forehead, and scalp, and it can sometimes spread to their arms, legs, and even to other parts of the body. Doctors may prescribe steroid creams to significantly reduce the inflammation caused by eczema, but there are also natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments that can help manage flare-ups. You can try a few simple methods to ease your baby's discomfort, relieve itching, dryness, and peeling skin caused by eczema.
Steps
Bathing and Moisturizing Your Baby's Skin
Give your baby warm baths every other day. Use lukewarm water and mild soap to wash areas that are smelly or dirty. Try to let your baby soak in the water for about 5 minutes, then remove them from the tub.
- Baby shampoo and soap are generally gentler than regular kinds.
- Mild soap is better than antibacterial products like tea tree oil, which can trigger eczema flare-ups.
- Avoid using additives that might further dry out your baby’s skin, such as Epsom salts.
- Bath water mixed with colloidal oatmeal or Aveeno oatmeal bath packets is also helpful.
Gently pat your baby dry with a clean towel. Try to avoid rubbing the skin when drying your baby. Use a soft towel to gently blot the skin dry before dressing your baby.
- Always use a clean towel to prevent infections.
Apply fragrance-free moisturizer to your baby immediately after the bath. Focus on areas with particularly dry or flaky skin. Gel-based moisturizers are especially effective for treating eczema.
- Always patch test new moisturizers on a small area of your baby’s skin to ensure they don't have an allergic reaction before applying to larger areas.
- Choose a moisturizer with a high oil content.
- Mineral oil (commonly found in products like Vaseline) is an excellent moisturizer for treating eczema.
Moisturize 2-3 times a day. Eczema causes extreme dryness, so moisturizing will help prevent itching and discomfort. Aim to apply moisturizer to your baby 2-3 times daily, especially on red, dry areas.
- You can apply moisturizer during diaper changes after removing their clothes.
Give your baby bleach baths twice a week if recommended by the doctor. Consult your pediatrician before deciding to give your baby a bleach bath. If your doctor recommends this, mix ¼ cup (60 ml) of bleach into half a tub of warm water. This small amount of bleach is mild enough for your baby’s skin. Only give your baby bleach baths twice a week, and avoid getting water in their eyes.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that lives on the skin of many children with eczema and can sometimes trigger flare-ups. A bleach bath helps fight this bacteria.
- Never give your baby a bleach bath without properly diluting it first.
Warning: Always consult a pediatrician before beginning bleach bath treatment for your baby. Bleach baths are only for severe eczema cases and should not be done without medical advice.
Adjusting Your Baby’s Environment
Identify and eliminate triggers that could be causing eczema. If your baby's eczema flared up after switching to new products like wipes, lotions, soaps, laundry detergent, or clothing, your baby may be allergic to these products. Try to identify any new items around your baby and remove them to see if the condition improves.
- Cigarette smoke, dry air, pet dander, and pollen are all potential triggers.
Tip: Even your baby’s saliva can be a trigger. If you notice eczema around your baby’s face, try applying a thin layer of mineral oil around their mouth to protect the skin from saliva during eating or drooling.
Use unscented wipes, lotions, and mild soaps for washing clothes. Products containing many ingredients or fragrances may trigger eczema flare-ups. Look for wipes, soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, or creams labeled 'unscented' to prevent worsening the condition.
- These products are usually clearly labeled as free from added fragrances.
Trim your baby’s nails to prevent scratching. Scratching and itching can exacerbate eczema. Use baby nail clippers to keep your baby’s nails short, preventing them from scratching and making eczema worse.
- Keep nails short to avoid accidentally scraping your baby’s skin when changing diapers or holding them.
Maintain a cool and dry environment. Eczema can flare up due to high temperatures and humidity. Try to keep the indoor temperature around 18°C whenever possible, and use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid environment.
- Aim to maintain indoor humidity levels at around 25% in summer and 50% in winter.
- Air conditioning can help regulate humidity effectively.
- Avoid overdressing your baby during cold weather, as sweat can also trigger eczema flare-ups.
When Medical Care is Needed
Take your baby to the doctor for a diagnosis. In most cases, it is advisable to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and to explore treatment options. Some mild cases of eczema don’t require much concern, but others can cause significant pain and discomfort. These cases should be addressed by a doctor immediately. Keep in mind that eczema, if left untreated, can lead to pain, infection, or even scarring.
- Depending on the severity and cause of your baby’s eczema, the doctor may suggest a treatment plan that combines medication and natural therapies.
Call your pediatrician if your baby’s skin becomes infected. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of a skin infection, such as redness, swelling, drainage, pus, warmth, fever, or restlessness. These symptoms indicate that your baby may need medical intervention.
- The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Always follow the doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions carefully.
Consult with the doctor if home remedies are not effective. In some cases, natural remedies may not be enough to manage eczema in babies. If you’ve been using home treatments for a few days and the symptoms are not improving or are getting worse, talk to your doctor. Common treatments for eczema in infants and young children include:
- Topical steroid creams or ointments to reduce inflammation
- Antihistamines to relieve itching
- Oral or topical antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary infections
Consult your doctor before trying home remedies. Not all natural treatments are safe or suitable for infants. Before attempting any remedy, such as bleach baths, oatmeal soaks, or essential oils, you should ask your doctor about the potential risks and benefits.
- Stop using any natural remedies and seek medical attention if your baby shows signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, swelling, itching, or hives.
Warning: Call emergency services or take your baby to the emergency room immediately if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, confusion, nausea or vomiting, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Advice
- Changing your baby’s diet has not been shown to have a positive or negative impact on eczema unless your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy.
Warning
- Always consult with your pediatrician before using bleach bath therapy for your child.
- If your child's symptoms worsen or do not improve after a period of time, seek medical treatment.
