Baby Eczema: What you need to know about tending to baby's skin

Baby eczema is an unfortunate condition that can leave your baby's skin red, raw, and irritated. It's not something you want to mess with. So what causes baby eczema? Is there anything you can do to prevent it? And what should you do if you are in the middle of a flare-up? Here's what you need to know.

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.

In an event conducted by Cetaphil and Watsons, entitled National Healthy Skin Mission, Dr. Vanika Viardo discussed about Eczema.

The doctor said that people with eczema have defective skin barriers and an over active immune response.

“People with eczema have a defective skin barrier. They have gaps in the skin allowing the skip of water from the skin which causes dryness as well as entry of unwanted substances that causes inflammation. "Patients with eczema also have over active immune response. They react easily to everyday substances that come in contact with our skin like pollutants, pollens, etc."

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 its 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 contacts 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 it usually appears on the hands and feet. This type of eczema isn't hereditary, so if your baby has it, you likely won't pass it along to any future children you have.

• Neonatal Acrodermatitis

This baby eczema affects premature newborns (before 37 weeks gestation). It's caused by an overactive immune system like you might have experienced if you had a terrible case of the flu. It's also called "the cradle cap" because it looks like dandruff, but it's dry skin flakes that can 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 moisturizer: 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. Moisturizers will help hydrate dry skin, making eczema worse if left untreated.

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

What causes heat rash baby eczema on the chest?

How do you treat heat rash baby eczema on the chest?

Skin asthma in baby

Signs & 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 (also called "eczema")
• Skin blisters filled with clear fluid (called vesicles) that burst open, leaving raw patches of skin (called erosions)
• Skin thickening (called lichenification)

Management of Eczema

Dr. Erika Akiat and Dr. Vanika Viardo have tips for mommies and daddies in managing your child skin condition.

In the recent National Healthy Skin Mission conducted by Cetaphil and Watsons, Dr. Vanika Viardo reiterated the importance of having a skin care regimen for babies as early as 6 months.

“For skin care products, basically, use hypoallergenic ones. Those, without fragrance, those without parabens. It’s nice now that in marketing, they already specify that it is specifically formulated for baby skin. So, you are somehow sure that these products are made with baby skin in mind."   “I always advice the moms of my patients to just focus on the things that you can control. First is to make sure that they have a proper skin care regimen. As I mentioned, a proper skin care regimen is still the mainstay of treatment for eczema. Second is know the triggers. Sometimes it’s really hard to pinpoint the triggers, so maybe just make sure they are protected from the sun and protected from the common triggers that we usually see," said Dr. Vanika.

She also advised parents to keep their little one's nails short and let them wear cotton mittens to prevent skin damage from scratching. In addition, apply soothing protective cream for eczema-prone areas such as the mouth, cheeks, knees, elbows, and diaper areas.

On the other hand, Dr. Erika Akiat, pediatrician, added some tips in making sure that your baby will have a healthier skin. Here are the ways to be remembered according to the doctor.

1. Don’t be afraid to wash your newborn. It’s okay to wash your newborn, no problem. Just make sure you follow a really good routine.
2. Stick to a good routine when you use hypoallergenic and safe fragrance-free products. Don’t be scared to moisturize.
3. When bathing a baby, especially newborn, prioritize safety. Make sure that your holding them really safely…Always support the head. Remember there is no head control yet in the newborn phase.
4. Make sure to use lukewarm water. Don’t use too warm and too cold water.

Updated by Pheona Ilagan

Additional information written by Jobelle Macayan

Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore

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