Toddler Eczema
How To Combat Toddler Eczema
If a baby has reddened rosy checks and itchy and red skin on the scalp it may have toddler eczema. Atopic dermatitis is another name for this condition and as of now no one knows what causes it. But toddlers who have problems with allergies and asthma seem to have this condition more often than children who don’t. Because infants and toddlers cannot tell parents when this rash is bothering them, the symptoms may be more severe than with older children.
Toddler eczema can appear at first to look like irritated, possibly sun burnt skin. The skin can also appear dry and small bumps form on the infected areas. This is the toddler’s immune system reacting to an allergen. It could be from dust, animal dander, fragrance or some kind of food. Toddler eczema cannot be cured. The symptoms can only be lessened and eased. The child’s immune system will eventually be strong enough to overcome the problem. Most toddlers who have this condition are rid of it by age six.
A good way to ease the symptoms of toddler eczema is to give the infant a daily bath. Use warm not hot water because hot water seems to worsen the symptoms and make the infected area itchy. Use soap with no fragrance or dyes and make sure that it is not drying to the skin. Do not let the baby sit in the water for very long and when you remove him dry him completely. Do not rub the babies skin, instead dab it with a towel. Rubbing on the rash can worsen it.
Use a lotion to keep the toddlers skin moistened. When an infant has this type of rash the skin should remain moist. If it is allowed to dry out too much, the skin can crack and bleed. Applying a thick lotion that is also free of fragrance and dyes on the baby’s skin can ease the systems considerably. You can do this at bath time and at least three more times a day.
Make sure to keep the baby’s fingernails trimmed. Because the rash can easily become itchy especially from too much heat, the baby can claw the area with its fingernails to stop the itch. This not only worsens the condition but can leave the skin open and raw. This is perfect for an infection to set in and this is not a good situation for the toddler. If you see the baby attempting to claw the infected area, try to discourage him.
You can go through your home and try to remove all the allergens. For example, you can start using a fragrance and dye free wash detergent or if pet dander is a problem remove the pet from inside of the home. You can also pay close attention to the child after he has eaten a meal. If the symptoms worsen discontinue or substitute another food item. Removing allergens can only make the baby feel more comfortable.
If you are getting no positive response by trying to ease the baby’s discomfort, you may want to make an appointment with the toddler’s pediatrician. The baby may need a special type of ointment or a hydrocortisone treatment. Or in more severe cases, the baby may be treated with a steroidal crème and wrapped in water soaked cloth. This helps hold the steroidal medication in the skin and can protect the baby from contaminants for a few days to allow the area to fully heal. The doctor can also make sure that the baby does not have an infection associated with toddler eczema.