Eczema Infant Treatment Options You Can Do Today
Eczema which is also known as atopic dermatitis shows as a red rash that is dry and often quite itchy. It is actually very common in children and infants and luckily most people tend to grow out of it as the get older. But while they are still young it is difficult to treat since all children and infants want to do is scratch it which makes things worse.
At this age, eczema occurs because the immune system isn’t effectively able to deal with certain irritants and thus cause the reaction. While you can’t change your child’s immune system you can help it to work more effectively by help clear the rash by moisturizing the skin and also giving medication (if you choose to see a doctor).
To help soothe and lesson the severity of your infant’s eczema from home here are a few things that you can try right now:
- Make sure when bathing your child that the water is lukewarm and they spend no longer than 15 minutes at a time in the bath. Hot water can actually dry out the skin further. Adding some oats to the bath water is a very good way to help stop the itching.
- If you must use soap, avoid anything with fragrances or too many artificial ingredients. Good choices are Dove, Purpose, Cetaphil or Vanicream.
- Only apply moisturizers to the skin that are for sensitive skin types such as Vanicream, Aquaphor, Cetaphil or Vaseline.
- Buy dye and perfume free laundry detergents and don’t use fabric softeners which can irritant skin via their clothing.
If your infant has severe eczema it is worth seeing a doctor to get medications to help reduce inflammation and clear any infections that may be present.
