Baby eczema is an unfortunate condition that can leave your baby’s skin red, raw, and irritated — and is generally an unpleasant experience for your little one to go through.
Here are the common causes of baby eczema; and more importantly: what you can do to help reduce the occurrence of eczema for your child, as well as what to do if your baby is in the middle of a flare-up.
What Is Baby Eczema
Baby eczema is a skin condition that causes redness, flaking, and itchiness in babies. It can appear on the cheeks, behind the ears, or on other parts of the body. The condition is most common in babies between 4 months and 2 years old.
Baby eczema is not contagious, but it may be related to allergies. Babies allergic to cow’s milk protein are more likely to develop the condition, but other allergens like dust mites or pet dander can also be triggers.
If you notice that your baby has developed redness or flaking on their skin, visit your doctor for an examination. If you think that your child may have an allergy to something in their diet or environment, your doctor may recommend an elimination diet where certain foods are removed from your child’s diet for several weeks.
That’s before reintroducing them one at a time to see if any cause a reaction.
Baby eczema is a common skin problem that can be very uncomfortable for your baby. It’s also sometimes called atopic dermatitis.
What Causes Baby Eczema
If you’re wondering what causes baby eczema, a few different factors can play a role. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Genetics: If one or both parents have eczema, there is a higher risk that their child will develop it.
- Environmental: Changes in climate, moisture levels, and even stress can trigger an episode of eczema.
- Infection: A bacterial or viral infection can trigger an episode of eczema.
- Allergens: Exposure to certain allergens such as pollen or dust mites can trigger an eczema flare-up in some children who suffer from atopic dermatitis.
What Are the Types of Baby Eczema
There are many different types of baby eczema, and it can be hard to know what’s going on with your little one! Here’s a guide to the most common forms:
- Atopic Dermatitis: This is the most common type of eczema. It usually starts in early childhood and lasts into adulthood. It causes skin redness, itching, and dryness.
- Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to an allergen or irritant such as nickel. It can also develop when the skin comes into contact with chemicals like poison ivy oil or detergents.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis: This type of baby eczema presents as flaky skin around the face, scalp, and neck in infants who have cradle caps at birth or baby acne later on.
- Nummular Eczema: This form of baby eczema presents as coin-shaped patches of dry skin on the trunk or extremities that may become scaly if left untreated.
- Irritant Eczema: This is caused by a specific irritant—like soap or laundry detergent—and usually appears on the hands and feet. This type of eczema isn’t hereditary.
- Neonatal Acrodermatitis: Also called ‘the cradle cap’, this affects premature newborns and is caused by an overactive immune system. The dry skin flakes may appear anywhere on the body.
Eczema Rash on Baby’s Face
When eczema develops on your baby’s face, it can be very uncomfortable for them and may even cause a rash. If you notice an eczema rash on your child’s face, there are several things you can do to help alleviate the discomfort and improve their skin.
Here are some tips for treating an eczema rash on your baby’s face:
- Use a moisturiser: You should apply a moisturizing cream or lotion with aloe vera or vitamin E on your baby’s face twice daily to keep their skin hydrated and reduce redness. Moisturisers will help hydrate dry skin, making eczema worse if left untreated. You can find baby-friendly moisturisers on the DA Marketplace.
- Avoid certain foods: You should avoid giving your child foods that may aggravate their eczema by causing inflammation, like eggs or nuts. If possible, try substituting these foods with others that contain fewer allergens, such as fruits and vegetables instead of meats; this may help reduce inflammation caused by allergies and inflammation caused by eczema (which is often related).
Baby Eczema vs Acne
Eczema and acne are two skin conditions that can cause your baby to break out.
Baby eczema is a skin condition that causes redness, inflammation, dryness, and itchiness. It’s usually found on the cheeks, forehead, and scalp. A build-up of oil causes baby acne in the pores of your baby’s face. Baby acne can appear as whiteheads or blackheads on their cheeks and forehead.
If you think your baby has either of these skin conditions, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician immediately! We know how frustrating it can be when our children have skin issues, but there are ways to treat them with medication or other therapies depending on the severity of their condition.
Heat Rash (Baby Eczema) on the Chest
Caused by heat and sweat which ends up irritating the skin, heat rash can be treated with simple home remedies such as using a cold compress or a cool bath.
What causes heat rash?
This is caused by excessive sweating during hot weather or after exercising. This sweating irritates the skin and causes redness and irritation, which looks like patches of small pimples on the skin.
How do you treat a heat rash?
Baby eczema, caused by a heat rash, is easily treated at home with simple home remedies such as using a cold compress or a cool bath. You can also apply petroleum jelly over affected areas to soothe the itchiness until it goes away.
Skin Asthma in Baby
Skin asthma is a skin condition that causes redness, inflammation, and dryness. The condition is most common in babies and young children but can also affect adults. The most common cause of this condition is eczema.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Redness or rash on your child’s skin (typically on the cheeks, chin, arms, or legs)
- Dry patches of skin that are itchy or painful to touch
- Scaly patches of skin that are red and inflamed
- Skin blisters filled with clear fluid (called vesicles) that burst open, leaving raw patches of skin (called erosions)
- Skin thickening (called lichenification)
If your child has any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor so that they can diagnose what’s causing the problem and recommend treatment options based on your child’s age and medical history.
This article was first published on The Asian Parent and is republished with permission.
