Eczema and Children
Children and Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that is not uncommon in children. One out of every 10 children develops eczema and it most often appears before the age of five. Luckily, most kids who get eczema find that it disappears by the time they hit their teen years.
How Do I Know if My Child Has Eczema?
Rashes can be caused by lots of different things, so it's important to promptly take your child in to see his or her pediatrician, who may refer you to a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis. Eczema may appear differently in different people, but it generally causes red, inflamed skin that may appear scaly or develop fluid-filled blisters.
In newborns, babies, and children up to the age of five, eczema usually appears on the cheeks, forehead and scalp as a dry, red rash with small bumps. Occasionally, the rash will spread to the arms, legs and the trunk. The rash can get extremely red and crust over if blisters have formed and burst.
Older children tend to develop round, scaly patches of skin in the bends of their knees and elbows and/or on the backs of their ankles and wrists. Eczema more closely resembles extremely dry, scaly skin in older children. It may also be very itchy.
What Should I Do Now?
Eczema can be uncomfortable and it may not look so good, but it can go away with time and proper care and it isn't dangerous. It isn't contagious either, so there's no need to keep your child home from school or away from friends.
If you've received an eczema diagnosis from your doctor, your child's pediatrician or dermatologist will give you information on how to care for your child's skin at home. He or she will also discuss treatment options with you. There are a wide variety of treatments for eczema.
How Can I Help?
You can help your child manage an eczema flare-up by:
- Giving them cotton gloves to wear to bed at night to avoid scratching in their sleep
- Keeping their fingernails short
- Bathing them in warm water with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free cleansers
- Gently washing (never scrubbing) their skin
- Dressing them in soft, breathable fabrics
- Keeping your home environment free of dust mites
- Avoiding extreme temperatures
- Keeping their skin hydrated by applying a moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering
- Applying cold compresses when skin is particularly irritated or itchy