Managing your child’s eczema
Lifestyle tips: There are many factors that can make eczema worse
including heat, dryness, harsh chemicals, certain factors, infection,
scratching, allergies and stress.. The following lifestyle changes can
help your child.
Managing your child’s eczema
Lifestyle tips: There are many factors that can make eczema worse including heat, dryness, harsh chemicals, certain factors, infection, scratching, allergies and stress.. The following lifestyle changes can help your child.
Clothing Dos and Don’ts
• Do:dress baby in cotton, wear loose-fitting, cotton-blend clothing that allows air to pass to the skin, Wash all new clothes before wearing them to remove any potential irritating chemicals and soap, a separate wash for your child’s clothing using mild, dye free liquid laundry detergent
• Don’t: wear synthetic or itchy fabrics, such as wool.
Environment
• Keep surrounding temperature consistent, comfortable and avoid humidity.
• Don’t let baby get too hot at night to avoid overheating/sweating.
• Use sunscreen with an SPF 15+ on a regular basis to avoid baby getting sunburns. (Recommended: sunscreens for face as they are often less irritating).
- Follow the AAP Guidelines for babies under 6 months of age: Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight. Dress babies in lightweight clothing and use brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn.
- When adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with SPF 15+ on infants under 6 months to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. Remember it takes 30 minutes to be effective.
• Pools: Avoid significant exposure to chlorine and bromine from swimming pools and hot tubs. Take a quick bath immediately and then moisturize after swimming.
• School: Avoid sandpits, grass, paints, glue and play dough with exposed skin. If exposed, wash hands immediately after exposure.
Diet Changes
• When nursing or feeding baby, apply an ointment to baby’s face.
• Food allergies such as egg, milk, peanuts, citrus fruits, food coloring and preservatives can trigger eczema
Every Day Baby Care
• Trim baby’s finger and toe nails to prevent damage from scratching. Use mittens or
socks on baby’s hands to prevent excessive scratching.
• Don’t let baby scratch or rub the skin as it can making the itching worse.
• Moisturize daily and as often as possible, especially when the skin feels itchy and dry.
Clothing Dos and Don’ts
• Do: dress baby in cotton, wear loose-fitting, cotton-blend clothing that allows air to pass to the skin, Wash all new clothes before wearing them to remove any potential irritating chemicals and soap, a separate wash for your child’s clothing using mild, dye free liquid laundry detergent
• Don’t: wear synthetic or itchy fabrics, such as wool.
Environment
• Keep surrounding temperature consistent, comfortable and avoid humidity.
• Don’t let baby get too hot at night to avoid overheating/sweating.
• Use sunscreen with an SPF 15+ on a regular basis to avoid baby getting sunburns. (Recommended: sunscreens for face as they are often less irritating).
- Follow the AAP Guidelines for babies under 6 months of age: Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight. Dress babies in lightweight clothing and use brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn.
- When adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with SPF 15+ on infants under 6 months to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. Remember it takes 30 minutes to be effective.
• Pools: Avoid significant exposure to chlorine and bromine from swimming pools and hot tubs. Take a quick bath immediately and then moisturize after swimming.
• School: Avoid sandpits, grass, paints, glue and play dough with exposed skin. If exposed, wash hands immediately after exposure.
Diet Changes
• When nursing or feeding baby, apply an ointment to baby’s face.
• Food allergies such as egg, milk, peanuts, citrus fruits, food coloring and preservatives can trigger eczema
Every Day Baby Care
• Trim baby’s finger and toe nails to prevent damage from scratching. Use mittens or socks on baby’s hands to prevent excessive scratching.
• Don’t let baby scratch or rub the skin as it can making the itching worse.
• Moisturize daily and as often as possible, especially when the skin feels itchy and dry.
Recommended Products
Products to treat eczema: try to use products that
are labeled for use with “sensitive skin.”
Cleaning Products
A skin cleanser is a bar or liquid used to cleanse the skin. Gentle cleansers include:
Recommended Products
Products to treat eczema: try to use products that are labeled for use with “sensitive skin.”
Cleaning Products
A skin cleanser is a bar or liquid used to cleanse the skin. Gentle cleansers include:
Scalp Help
Tar Shampoos, such as T-Gel can help red, itchy scalps. and cradle cap:
Scalp Help
Tar Shampoos, such as T-Gel can help red, itchy scalps. and cradle cap:
Moisturize the skin
A moisturizer (cream or lotion) adds moisture to the skin. Moisturizers should be used for very dry skin. Gentle moisturizers include:
Moisturize the skin
A moisturizer (cream or lotion) adds moisture to the skin. Moisturizers should be used for very dry skin. Gentle moisturizers include:
Ointments
Ointments should be used for very dry skin. Skin should always be shiny from ointment. In general, ointments provide protection from skin getting dry better than creams. Gentle ointments include:
Ointments
Ointments should be used for very dry skin. Skin should always be shiny from ointment. In general, ointments provide protection from skin getting dry better than creams. Gentle ointments include:
Gentle Bathing and Scalp Support
Does your baby have mild atopic dermatitis, moderate atopic dermatitis or severe atopic dermatitis? Manage the treatment in a step-wise approach depending on how severe it is. View photos of the types of dermatitis.
Bath Support
Mild
Mild: Bathe 1-2x a day using WARM water for at least 15-20 minutes.
Moderate
Bathe 2x each day using WARM water in morning and evening for 20 minutes.
Severe
Bathe 3x each day in WARM water in the morning, mid day at before bed for 20 minutes.
Use a wet face clot with eyes/mouth cut out for any rashing involving face.
Bath Support
| Mild | Bathe 1-2x a day using WARM water for at least 15-20 minutes. |
| Moderate | Bathe 2x each day using WARM water in morning and evening for 20 minutes. |
| Severe |
Bathe 3x each day in WARM water in the morning, mid day at before bed for 20 minutes.
Use a wet face clot with eyes/mouth cut out for any rashing involving face. |
Post Bath
Mild
Applying moisturiser will seal the water in the skin so it feels less dry and itchy.
Moderate
Gently pat away water and immediately (within a few minutes) apply a moisturizer or skin medication to damp skin.
Severe
Gently pat away water and immediately (within a few minutes) apply a moisturizer or skin medication to damp skin.
Post Bath
| Mild | Applying moisturiser will seal the water in the skin so it feels less dry and itchy.. |
| Moderate + Severe |
Gently pat away water and immediately (within a few minutes) apply a moisturizer or skin medication to damp skin. |
Moist Scalp Support
Mild
T/Sal or other medicated shampoos should be used 2x a week or daily to control flaking in the hair.
Moderate
T/Sal or other medicated shampoos should be used 2x daily for scalp needs.
*May need topical steroids (0.1% Elocon solution or DesOwens lotion after each shampoo).
Severe
T/Sal or other medicated shampoos should be used 2x daily for scalp needs.
*May need topical steroids (0.05% Temovate Scalp applicator , 0.1% Elocon solution after each shampoo).
Moist Scalp Support
| Mild | T/Sal or other medicated shampoos should be used 2x a week or daily to control flaking in the hair. |
| Moderate |
T/Sal or other medicated shampoos should be used 2x daily for scalp needs.
*May need topical steroids (0.1% Elocon solution or DesOwens lotion after each shampoo). |
| Severe |
T/Sal or other medicated shampoos should be used 2x daily for scalp needs.
*May need topical steroids (0.05% Temovate Scalp applicator , 0.1% Elocon solution after each shampoo). |
Steroid Use
Eczema can be treated with topical steroids to reduce skin inflammation and clear up an eczema flare. These steroids are mixed with creams, ointments and lotions to apply directly on the affected skin. Steroids range from strong (potent) to mild. Once the flare-up has completely gone, you can stop the treatment. **Before using steroids, always discuss with your doctor. Use of creams for longer than 1 week are associated with skin thinning.
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