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Did you just discover that your little one has baby eczema? You probably have a million questions. Take a deep breath and stick with me. I was where you are and we are going to address all things baby eczema.
If you just got the news that your little darling has baby eczema, you probably feel so overwhelmed and uneducated (especially if you do not have experience with eczema). If you suffer from eczema yourself, you may already know some helpful tips and tricks to soothe your little one’s skin. My biggest frustration with eczema was learning that what works for one person may not work for another. You just need to figure it out. As if you are not already doing EVERYTHING you can to help your brand new baby.
Baby eczema takes a huge toll on the whole family. Watching your baby wake up SEVERAL times during the night to scratch their skin to the point where they are cutting open their skin and bleeding is so devastating. You are probably frantically searching the internet desperate to find out ways you can help give your baby relief. Life is NOT supposed to be this hard for a little baby.
Your pediatrician may have said to you something like “Young children will oftentimes grow out of it” and “Sometimes it is attributed to food allergies.” You have probably been told that it is a good idea to be on the lookout for environmental triggers. When eczema flares up, it is just downright AWFUL.
I have felt how you feel. Just know that it does get better. It will take some time to figure out what products and routines will help your baby. BUT IT WILL GET BETTER. Tubby Todd All Over Ointment helped improve my daughter’s skin SO MUCH! Before we dive into all things baby eczema, SHOP THROUGH THIS LINK TO EARN 10% OFF YOUR ORDER. I just KNOW that you will love this stuff as much as I do.
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I am sharing with you information about eczema that you may not know. Information I learned along the way. I made it my mission to learn all I could about eczema to better help my daughter. These are all the products and things that helped my daughter’s skin TREMENDOUSLY. I wrote this post because I would have SO appreciated reading a comprehensive guide when I was in the thick of it with my daughter.
This post is all about baby eczema.
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Best Baby Eczema Tips
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or expert on baby eczema. I am just a mom that has a daughter who suffers from this common skin condition. I am sharing with you what works for my child and the research that I have found along the way. All of the tips included helped us manage her eczema and made a huge difference in her skin. I hope these tips are just as helpful for your baby!
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Address Baby Eczema Promptly
It is so important to address baby eczema right away. Speaking from experience, it does not just go away. Pediatricians have a wealth of knowledge, but they are not experts in skin care and skin conditions. If you suspect your child has baby eczema, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist at their clinic as soon as possible. After addressing my daughter’s baby eczema with a pediatric dermatologist, we started to see major improvements. She provided us with tips, information, and medicine that changed the game for us.
I am happy to share that we do not have to use topical steroids often. We are able to manage her skin with a variety of changes we made.
It is awful to watch your child in such discomfort. Seeing a dermatologist early on will not only help your baby, but it will also help you! Baby eczema also takes a major toll on parents’ mental health. Knowledge is power. Treat eczema as soon as you suspect it. Early intervention is so crucial.
What is baby eczema?
Eczema In Babies
Eczema in babies is an inflammatory skin condition that is very uncomfortable. This condition causes babies, children, and even adults with eczema to itch, have dry skin, and develop irritation in general on their bodies. Eczema commonly causes the skin to feel itchy, dry, have rashes, and can even lead to skin infections.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, atopic dermatitis affects 25% of children.
The National Eczema Association has been very helpful to me as a parent. It helped me better understand eczema, things I can do to help my child, and also easily look up products to see if they are safe to use on my baby’s sensitive skin.
Parents often wonder does baby eczema go away. There is no way to predict whether your child’s baby eczema will go away. However, there are ways to manage it.
Baby Eczema Causes and Triggers
Eczema is caused by an overactive immune system. This causes the skin barrier to become very dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. This skin condition is connected to allergies and asthma. People with eczema have a weak skin barrier. This makes it challenging for the skin barrier to hold onto moisture.
There is no one major cause for eczema. The environment is a common cause of eczema. Do you have pet hair in your home that could be irritating your little one’s skin? Genetics can also play a role. Our pediatric dermatologist told us that if parents have allergies and asthma, the child is at higher risk for eczema. I had no idea. My poor baby didn’t stand a chance. My husband and I have both. Of course, if people in your family have eczema, it can also be passed on to your little one.
When something irritates the skin, inflammation occurs, and then the flare-up happens. This is why it is so important to pay close attention to triggers for your little one. Some common triggers include dry air, extreme weather, fragrances, fabrics, cleaners, fruit juice, and more. Stress can also be a trigger for eczema. The National Eczema Association does a brilliant job detailing baby eczema causes and more triggers.
I highly encourage you to take notice of what your child’s triggers are. This may take you some time. My daughter’s triggers include being in the heat for an extended period of time, laundry detergents, and fragrances. The weirdest reaction was when she ate pineapple. The left side of her mouth and cheek swelled up. I rushed her to the emergency room thinking she was having an allergic reaction to the pineapple. We found out that the juice from the pineapple triggered an eczema reaction. Huge scary trigger for her! No more pineapple in our house. Juice from fruit can be a trigger worth knowing about.
The frustrating part about eczema is that everyone has different triggers. So what works for one individual, might not work for another. It takes time to figure out how to manage your little darling’s skin.
Different Types of Eczema That Can Affect Infants
You may not realize that there are different types of eczema. The types that are more prevalent in children are Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and seborrheic eczema. Here is the difference.
Atopic Dermatitis
This is the most common type of eczema. This specific type of eczema affects more than 9.6 million children. Itching goes hand in hand with this type of eczema. Often times it leads to interrupted sleep. This is what my baby girl deals with. If your child suffers from this type of eczema, stick around. I have so many helpful tips to share that will improve your child’s skin and the quality of his or her sleep. This type of eczema can show up anywhere on the body and negatively impacts the skin barrier.
Contact Dermatitis
This type of eczema occurs when the skin comes into contact with something. After contact, the skin will quickly become inflamed and irritated. This happens to me when my skin comes into contact with detergents loaded with fragrances. Really any kind of fragrance. This type of eczema is a reaction to something within the environment. An easy fix is to avoid whatever substance is triggering the eczema.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
This type of eczema causes blisters to appear. These blisters can be found on the hands, feet, fingers, and toes.
Seborrheic Eczema
My poor baby suffers from this type of eczema as well. This is usually found on the scalp. You may find that your baby is constantly going after their head and scalp area.
Signs and Symptoms of Eczema in Babies
Itchiness
A huge clue that your child may be experiencing baby eczema is if they appear to be very itchy. They may be itching one particular area of their body or all over.
Redness
Another one of baby eczema symptoms is redness. This may appear in the crevices of their arms and legs or anywhere on their body.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is another symptom of baby eczema. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Like me, you have probably been through SO many lotions. This moisturizer will do wonders for your little one’s skin. I know because this moisturizer helped heal my daughter’s skin.
Rough Scaly Patches
Dry rough patches are another common symptom of baby eczema. I usually find these on my daughter’s elbows and ankles.
Oozing
Weeping eczema happens when fluid-filled blisters start to ooze. If your baby’s skin begins to ooze, call your pediatric dermatologist to look at it and treat the area.
Red Dots
If your child has baby eczema, you may notice red dots appear on their body. I brought my daughter to the pediatric dermatologist when I noticed these one day. I asked if she thought it was a result of a food allergy and she said it was eczema.
Rash
Rashes are another symptom of baby eczema. If you notice blisters, a fever, that their rash is crusty, or is oozing, schedule an appointment to have your child looked at.
What does baby eczema look like on babies?
Diagnosing Baby Eczema
If you are concerned that your child may have baby eczema, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician right away. The doctor will examine your child’s skin, ask you questions about what you’ve observed regarding their skin, ask about your bathing practices, and ask you about your family history.
If you are a breastfeeding mama, the doctor may ask you to avoid certain foods that can trigger eczema. These foods include eggs, milk, soy, and nuts. My pediatrician told me not to eliminate all of these foods at once. He had me eliminate dairy first to see if that made a difference in my daughter’s skin. Then go from there.
Your pediatrician may recommend that you see a pediatric dermatologist. Both our pediatrician and pediatric dermatologist said they don’t recommend allergy tests this young.
Kids with eczema are more prone to skin infections. If at any time you suspect a skin infection, seek your doctor’s care right away. Signs of skin infection include fever, warmth around irritated areas, bumps filled with pus, or areas of the skin that look like they have fever blisters.
While you may suspect that your child has baby eczema, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. Speaking from personal experience, the earlier the better. It took us several months to be seen by a pediatric dermatologist. We had to get a referral from our pediatrician and the pediatric dermatologists in our area were backed up for months. It was so unbelievable. So the sooner you seek help, the better off you and your baby are.
Managing and Treating Baby Eczema
Here are some of the practical tips for managing and minimizing eczema flare-ups. These will help you understand how to treat baby eczema and they are the tips I swear by! These will address how to stop eczema itching in babies.
Bathing Tips
Keep baths really short. I am talking 5-10 minutes. Be sure that bathtime does not exceed 10 minutes.
Limit bathing to 2-4 times a week. Twice a week works best for my daughter’s skin.
Ditch the washcloth. Our doctor told us to lose the washcloth and use my hand instead. She said this can cause the skin to become irritated.
The best bath water temperature is between 97- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If the bath water is too hot it can cause irritation to occur.
I use this bath thermometer to ensure the water is at the perfect temperature. There is a clock built into it. This thermometer will help you MAKE SURE that the bath water is the perfect temperature for your baby. The last thing you want is for the water to be too warm and trigger your baby’s eczema.
Choose your skincare products wisely. Many shampoos and body washes contain fragrances, which are the enemy of eczema. We love to use this shampoo. This will be so gentle on your baby’s head and will help get rid of the dry flakes.
This is another shampoo we have had a lot of success with. YOU EARN 10% OFF JUST BY SHOPPING THROUGH THIS LINK. This is another great product that will be super duper gentle on your baby’s skin. Of course, we use fragrance-free. This brand is truly amazing.
When I switched my daughter’s brush it was a TOTAL game changer. This brush is amazing. If your baby’s problem area is on his or her head, try using this brush and I bet it will help. The eczema on my daughter’s scalp SIGNIFICANTLY improved once I switched to using this hair brush because it is so gentle on her sensitive scalp. The baby brushes that come in baby care kits are way too rough.
We have two favorite body washes. My first favorite is this one. The wonderful thing about this body wash is that it can also be used as a shampoo. It works so well on my daughter’s head and her body. In my honest opinion, I believe this one is more convenient because you get more bang for your buck.
Another great shampoo perfect for baby eczema is this one. Check it out!
When you remove your little one from the bath, pat them dry with a towel. These towels are soft, which makes them the perfect bathtime companion for babies with eczema. Do not rub their body with the towel. It can cause their skin to become irritated. It is also important to remember that certain materials or fabrics can cause their skin to become inflamed. Always opt for soft towels. Anything made of bamboo is phenomenal.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is key. After a bath, it is an absolute necessity to lock the moisture in. You want to lock in the moisture with an emollient minutes after leaving the bath. This is the emollient I had the most success with. I tried a million moisturizers before using CeraVe. I tried Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream, Aquaphor, you name it. I tried so many. Nothing helped her skin like CeraVe. I swear by it.
The more you can moisturize your baby the better. This moisturizer will be so appreciated by your baby. It will help lock in moisture, which is exactly what they NEED. When we discovered my daughter’s infant eczema, we moisturized her 4 times a day. The pediatric dermatologist now recommends that we moisturize her twice a day. Always remember to soak and seal your little one after a bath. Bye-bye itchy skin.
Invest in Good Clothing
The clothing you choose for your baby makes such a difference. This is something I wish I had known sooner. You don’t want the clothes you choose for your child to result in a possible trigger. Always reach for clothing that is made from natural materials. Some examples are cotton, bamboo, or silk.
Pajamas
I must say my daughter and I are obsessed with bamboo pajamas. Once I made this switch, she began sleeping comfortably through the night. Hallelujah! Here are some of our favorite pajamas:
These are the first bamboo pajamas we tried. They made a difference in her skin and sleep quality instantly. So I went crazy and bought 5 more pairs. If your baby suffers from sleepless nights due to eczema, TRY THESE PAJAMAS!
A few months later I came across these lovely pajamas. They fit my daughter so comfortably and they are also super soft. Do yourself a favor and get your babe some of these. You will soon find out that any of these pajamas will make a world of a difference in your baby’s skin.
This is another favorite of ours. I am certain it will also become one of your favorites too. They have been such a blessing. I even bought some sets without the footies so she could comfortably run around and play in something cozy after bathtime.
Everyday Clothes
If you’ve visited my blog before you know that I am a huge fan of being comfortable. This next brand has the most amazing comfortable clothes for kids. I especially love them because they are made of cotton, they are soft, and they stand the test of time.
See exactly what I am talking about and buy your little one some of the most gentle clothes. Below you will find some of my absolute favorite items.
These are the best underwear. I really love that they are tagless.
We have these leggings that are perfect for everyday wear. These are plain but they go with just about anything. I also bought these leggings. The lace at the bottom makes it easy to dress up if you want to. Bottom line… it is so worth investing in COMFORTABLE gentle clothing for your baby. Fabric DOES make a huge difference.
These biker shorts are to die for. They are so cute and soft. My daughter gets so many compliments on these AND they are made of quality material. I plan to get my hands on more of these!
Detergent
I made the huge mistake of not paying close enough attention to our detergent, not realizing that it was making my newborn baby’s eczema so much worse. Pick a detergent that uses a gentle formula and is free from harsh chemicals and fragrances.
This detergent has been a Godsend. Trade your detergent for this one and I bet you will notice a positive impact on your baby’s skin. It also has the National Seal of Acceptance.
Eczema Seal of Acceptance
When shopping for my daughter I always look to see if the National Eczema Association has approved it. Here you can search for any product you are curious about. Their scientific team analyzes products to ensure that they meet their criteria. This team is made up of dermatologists, allergists, and eczema pros.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
If you have not tried this yet, you really need to! When my daughter has red or dry patches, I apply this ointment. After using it for a week they disappear. This is like magic in a jar. SERIOUSLY! If you notice eczema patches or dry skin on your baby you need to use this amazing Tubby Todd eczema relief ointment. Shop through this link to earn 10% off of your Tubby Todd order! Check it out for yourself.
Vaseline
The pediatrician recommended that we apply Vaseline around my daughter’s mouth before meals. Then gently remove it after eating. My pediatric dermatologist let us in on this little baby dermatitis trick.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is amazing for baby eczema! I use this on my daughter’s scalp all the time. It works like a charm. Her head has always been a huge problem area. When it is super flaky and irritated I heat up a spoonful of coconut oil and massage it into her scalp. This helps give her relief instantly and it lasts a while too! Another benefit is that it makes her smell good. I love the smell of coconut. Add coconut oil to your baby’s skincare routine.
(RELATED POST: 11 Baby Eczema Natural Remedies To Try)
Diaper Rash Cream
This is the diaper rash cream I love and use. Your baby’s bottom will appreciate this gentle diaper cream. It is so gentle and works SO incredibly well. USE PROMO CODE “BUMPTOBUSY10” TO EARN 10% OFF. Grab it now while the offer still lasts.
Seeking Professional Help
If your child’s eczema continues to be persistent and is severe, be sure to consult a pediatric dermatologist. While the above recommendations should help your child’s skin improve, it is possible that he or she may need medication. Doctors will usually prescribe topical corticosteroids. There are different kinds that have different strengths. During your follow-up visits, your doctor may decide to make a change in your baby’s eczema treatment plan. My daughter has different types of steroid medication for different parts of her body. She has oil for her scalp and ears. Another medicine for her face and a third for the rest of her body.
If your child has already been provided with medication and their skin is not improving or is getting worse, contact your doctor promptly. If you suspect that your child has a skin infection, schedule them to be seen right away.
There are different options for medical treatment. Your dermatologist will likely prescribe steroid medication. It will be up to your dermatologist to make a treatment plan that is best for your little one.
There is another medicine called Eucrisa. This is a steroid-free ointment that can be used on kids as young as 3 months old. It works above and below the skin. It is worth knowing that some people report a burning sensation after using this medication.
Another medicine your doctor may wish your child to take is an antihistamine. This will help with allergies as well as reduce inflammation in the body.
Dupixent is another medication for kids 6 years old and up. This is for people with moderate to severe eczema. This is an option for people who did not have success with topical treatments.
Phototherapy is light therapy that exposes the skin to ultraviolet light. This treatment helps the skin heal. This is not a one-time treatment. Your doctor may want your child to attend multiple sessions in a week. They will inform you of how long they want the treatment to last.
With the right treatment plan, eczema usually becomes more manageable.
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
Lifestyle and environmental factors play a huge role in eczema. If you live somewhere with environmental extremes this can trigger baby eczema. Places that are cold, dry, damp, and hot may make your child’s baby eczema worse.
Always shop for clothing that will soothe eczema. Clothing made of cotton, silk, and bamboo is compatible with your child’s skin. Avoid clothing made of synthetic materials. Clothing made of wool, polyester, and nylon can cause itchiness and irritation. Something I learned the hard way was that embroidery can cause an eczema flare-up.
Always use detergents that are gentle on the skin. You want to avoid dyes and fragrances at all costs. This is my go-to detergent. I am confident that you will also love it. It has been amazing for my daughter’s skin. In fact, our whole family uses it.
If your child has an allergy, an eczema flare-up can happen. Some common allergens that trigger baby eczema are pet dander, dust, food, and even plants. Keep your child away from fabrics, soaps, and food that may trigger their eczema.
An easy way to create an eczema-friendly environment for your baby is to identify their triggers and avoid them. I avoid allowing my daughter to be in the heat too long because it triggers a flare-up.
(RELATED POST: 15 Best Baby Care Brands You May Or May Not Know About)
Coping Strategies For Parents
Baby eczema takes a toll on parents’ mental health. Watching your child on this rollercoaster ride is a major challenge. If eczema is causing a disruption in sleep for the baby, it is also causing disruption for the parents.
Try your best to remain as calm as possible. Babies can sense our feelings. If you are very stressed out during bathtime or the bedtime routine or whenever that will have an effect on your child. Stress can trigger eczema.
My best suggestion is to see your doctors early and regularly. Follow-ups are just as important because if new problems arise your dermatologist can make a change in the treatment plan. My daughter is 18 months old. We have been seeing the dermatologist since she was 6 months old. If we could have gotten scheduled sooner, we would have gone much earlier. I did take her to a regular dermatologist while we were waiting for the pediatric dermatologist just to get some help in the meantime,
Don’t be afraid to use your resources and ask for help. If you can’t get into the pediatric dermatologist asap, find a regular dermatologist. Of course, ask your pediatrician questions, but also understand that eczema is not their specialty.
Find support networks. Until I figured out how to manage my daughter’s eczema, I was always researching online to find out what works for other children suffering from this condition. I talked to friends who were dealing with the same problem and we exchanged tips and tricks. My blog is a great resource for parents.
When you see baby eczema rear its ugly head it is very easy to panic. Instead, stick to the plan your medical professional gave you. I write everything down. If my daughter had a flare-up on Monday, I am writing down how long she needed medication. I am also investigating possible triggers for the particular problem area.
Take one day at a time. That is all you can do. Try not to put so much stress and pressure on the future. In time, things will improve.
Here are some great resources that help educate me on baby eczema: The National Eczema Association and The National Eczema Society.
Conclusion
There are many triggers for baby eczema. Identify what your child’s triggers are and avoid them. Maintaining eczema may seem like a lot of work, but you will quickly become familiar with your routine. So will your little one.
Moisturizing will become second nature. Buy clothing that is going to help your baby feel as comfortable and at ease as possible. The bathtime routine has a major impact on your child. Choose soft towels, shop for the right care products, keep baths short, and check that the bathwater is the perfect temperature.
Take proactive steps in managing your baby’s eczema and seek professional advice. Scheduling regular visits was a huge help for me. It made me feel like I was not alone in this.
It is a possibility that your baby will outgrow eczema. If they do not outgrow it, it can be more manageable when you implement the tips mentioned. Over time, my eczema baby has drastically improved. I attribute this to the help of my doctors, figuring out what products work best for her, dressing her comfortably, and her bathtime regimen. You’ve got this!
Did you remember to grab your 10% discount on Tubby Todd Products? Seriously buy Tubby Todd All Over Ointment!
This post was all about baby eczema and how to manage it.
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Such a helpful and informative post for managing baby eczema. My niece dealt with this and this information is very helpful to parents.
You offer great tips in this article. I am sending a Pin to my niece as she needs to read this!