When my daughter was just a tiny infant (she was born at 4lbs 2 oz), she developed a horrible case of eczema that plagued her during her first year.  She is now 5 years old and still gets recurrent flare-ups – mostly in changes to a hot climate.  With our recent heat wave, her eczema has been quite bad – the worse I’ve seen it since she was an infant.  She has it primarily down the backs of her legs (behind the knees especially) and in the creases at her elbows.

Trying to soothe the itch and discomfort can definitely be a challenge, not to mention explaining to a 5 year old that the more she scratches, the worse the itch.  I know I’m not alone in this challenge – about 1 in 10 kids develop eczema.  The good news is that most children outgrow it by the time they are teenagers (keeping my fingers crossed here).

What is Eczema?

According to KidsHealth, the term can refer to a number of different skin conditions in which the skin is red and irritated and can occasionally result in small, fluid-filled bumps that can become moist and ooze.  It sounds super uncomfortable just writing it, so I can imagine how my little one must actually feel.

Since scientists believe that eczema is inherited, there really is no way to prevent it.  It is believed to result from a genetic defect that results in an abnormality of the skin's barrier function.  Although there is no cure for eczema, there are ways to minimize flare-ups and avoid triggers that can make it worse.

What You Can Do to Help Your Child:

• Use fragrance free, gentle detergents, soaps and creams
• Keep skin moisturized – we use Vaseline Creamy with much success (apply often – at least 3 times a day)
• Soak in a lukewarm bath with baby oil
• Pat skin dry after bathing/swimming instead of rubbing (and reapply moisturizer)
• Dress in soft, comfortable and loose fabrics
• Try cold compresses to minimize itch
• Avoid environmental irritants, allergens and food allergies
• Keep fingernails short and smooth to minimize damage from scratching (if you can’t get them to stop scratching)
• Try a topical cortisone cream (if her flare-up is bad, I mix the cortisone cream with the Vaseline Creamy so it won’t burn her skin)
• Try an antihistamine to control the itching
• For older kids, you may consider treating with ultraviolet light at a dermatologist’s office
• Another option - new non-steroid prescription medications like Elidel and Protopic, but questions about safety may having you questioning their use (despite FDA approval)

For more information on eczema, check out the links below.  If you have some tips to help soothe this irritating condition, share with us here or on our Facebook page! 

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/eczema_atopic_dermatitis.html

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/drugwarnings/a/06_eczema_wrng.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm

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