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Eczema is a common dry skin
condition that affects about 10% of all infants and children. Its cause is
unknown. It usually runs in families. The skin of children with eczema
becomes inflamed, irritated and is usually very itchy. While it is not an
infection of the skin, children with eczema can become infected if the
skin breaks down and develops open sores. Your child will probably outgrow
his eczema by puberty. However, if and when this will happen is different
for all children.
Things YOU can
do to ease the itching and discomfort for your child:
- Give your child short
(less than 5 minutes), cool or lukewarm baths 1-2 times each day. Pat
the skin dry after each bath. Do not rub dry.
- Use Dove® (unscented),
Cetaphil®, Vanicream® or Oil of Olay® (unscented) soap for
bathing.
- Keep the indoor
temperature cool:
67-70° F in the winter
78-80° F in the summer
- Avoid wool clothing next
to your child’s skin. Cotton clothing is preferable.
- Use fragrance-free and
dye-free laundry detergents, such as Tide-free®, Cheer-free®, or
All-free and clear®.
- Do not use fabric
softeners or bleach on your child’s clothing.
- Avoid cigarette smoke
around your child.
Treatments:
Use a
Moisturizer as much as possible. In general, ointments are
most effective and can be put on less frequently than creams. Lotions tend
to be less moisturizing and are not recommended for patients with eczema.
Apply the moisturizer to your child’s body 2- 3 times each day. Be sure to
put it on immediately after bathing. Recommended moisturizers include:
Aquaphor® ointment, Vaseline® petroleum jelly, Cetaphil® cream,
Vanicream®, Moisturel® cream or Eucerin® cream. If your child is being
treated with a steroid ointment, the moisturizer should be applied on top
of the steroid ointment.
Topical
steroids:
May help to decrease the inflammation and itching. They should only be
used on areas of eczema, not on normal skin. The area of the skin affected
and the severity of the eczema will determine strength of the topical
steroid used. Strong topical steroids should not be used on the face,
under arms, groin or diaper area. Topcial steroids are usually used only
on affected skin as prescribed by your child’s doctor-you may use
hydrocortisone 1% that you can buy over the counter.
Antihistamines:
May be prescribed to
reduce to itching.
Antibiotics:
(Topical and/or oral)
may be used if our child’s skin is infected.
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