Eczema. What's the cause and how to avoid it?
- Thread starter Junior
- Start date
elaine01
Member
aby
Member
Hi Junior! You may want to bring ur bb to your doc to check 1st what exactly is the rashes abt..
lisa_ng
Active Member
ECZEMA
birth to 12mos
My baby has scaly red patches on his skin. They seem to be very itchy. What is this ugly rash?
It sounds like eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), a skin rash that most often crops up sometime between 2 months and 2 years of age. Eczema usually appears on a baby's forehead, cheeks, or scalp, though it can spread to his arms, legs, chest, or other parts of his body. Your baby's rash might show up as dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, or become infected if scratched. And because it's intensely itchy, scratching can be a problem.
What causes eczema?
No one knows for sure, but we do know that eczema is often inherited. So your baby is more likely to have it if you or some other close family member has either had eczema, or had asthma or allergies. Eczema is not an allergic reaction to something, but it can be provoked by allergens in your baby's environment or diet, or in your diet if you're breastfeeding. Eczema can also be aggravated by heat, by irritants that come in contact with your baby's skin (like wool or the chemicals in some soaps, lotions, or detergents), by changes in temperature, and by dry skin.
How common is eczema in babies?
While 3 to 6 percent of the population has eczema, about 10 to 20 percent of babies have it in the first year of life. Many improve or are no longer troubled by eczema by the time they're 2 years old.
What can I do to treat my baby's eczema?
Taking good care of your baby's skin is crucial if he has eczema. Here are some tips:
• Try to keep your baby's skin from becoming too dry. Talk with your child's doctor about how often to bathe him. Many experts now believe that daily bathing can be helpful for babies with eczema. Just don't make the water too warm, because very warm water dehydrates the skin faster than lukewarm water. Use mild soaps, and wash and shampoo your baby at the end of bath time so he isn't sitting in soapy water. As soon as you get your baby out of the tub, pat his skin dry and then apply plenty of moisturizing ointment, cream, or lotion right away (within two to three minutes).
• Allow your baby's skin to breathe (and not overheat) by dressing him in natural fabrics like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials, though, because these can irritate his very sensitive skin.
• Switch to mild, fragrance-free soaps and shampoos, or those made for sensitive skin. Use mild, fragrance-free detergents for sensitive skin when laundering your baby's clothes and bedding, too.
• Rapid changes in temperature can make eczema worse, so try not to let your baby get too hot and then cool quickly, or vice versa.
• Pollen, dust mites, and animal dander can also trigger or worsen eczema. You might want to consult an allergist, who can provide tips on how to reduce allergens in your home. These tips may include more efficient ways of vacuuming and dusting, using air filters, and possibly getting rid of carpets and upholstered furniture. • Help your baby avoid scratching. He may try to get relief by scratching with his hands or by rubbing his face against his crib sheet when he sleeps. But scratching or rubbing can further irritate or inflame his skin and make matters much worse. Use the softest sheet possible in his crib, and keep his nails short. Put him to bed with cotton mittens or socks on his hands. If your baby has a lot of trouble sleeping because of eczema, talk with his doctor. She may suggest a baby dose of an antihistamine that will cut down on the itchy feeling and make your baby more drowsy, too.
Could my baby's eczema be caused by a certain food?
Eczema is not a specific allergy, but in some children, certain allergenic foods can trigger eczema or make it worse. If you or your doctor suspects that your baby's eczema is affected by certain foods — the mostly likely culprits being cows' milk and eggs, followed by soy, wheat, peanuts, and fish — then you could try eliminating them from your baby's diet, if he's started on solids, and from your own diet if you're breastfeeding. (Note that your baby shouldn't drink cows' milk until his first birthday, but if he's prone to eczema you might want to delay giving him milk and other potential allergens for even longer.)
Eliminate suspect foods one at a time, and give each test a couple of weeks, because it can take that long to get it completely out of your breast milk and his system. If you're using formula, your doctor may suggest that you try switching to a soy-based variety. This isn't always the solution, because some children who are allergic to milk are allergic to soy as well, but it's worth a try.
Keep in mind that while food may be a trigger in as many as 30 percent of children with eczema, it's the main trigger in only about 10 percent of eczema cases. You'll still want to be conscientious about other factors, like skin care.
Does breastfeeding help?
Maybe. Studies show that breastfeeding from the get-go does help prevent eczema in babies who are prone to get it (because their parents have it). Whether or not it helps a baby who already has eczema is controversial, but experts agree that it doesn't hurt.
What should I do if the rash doesn't get better?
Talk with your child's doctor or a pediatric dermatologist. If the rash doesn't get better from following the suggestions above, your doctor might suggest trying mild topical steroids (in cream form), which can be purchased over the counter. Applying this cream sometimes works wonders to help break a stubborn cycle of eczema. A short course of oral steroid medication can also help get eczema enough under control that the other relief methods you try work more effectively. Researchers are developing new drugs, like topical immunomodulators, to help eczema sufferers, so if your baby continues to struggle with the condition, ask his doctor to keep you up to date on remedies.
Will my child always have eczema?
Maybe. Most babies with eczema outgrow it by their teens, but there's no way to tell ahead of time. The good news is that the condition usually becomes less severe with age. And there are ways to manage it. By following the measures mentioned above and treating any flare-ups immediately, you can help keep your child's eczema under control.
birth to 12mos
My baby has scaly red patches on his skin. They seem to be very itchy. What is this ugly rash?
It sounds like eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), a skin rash that most often crops up sometime between 2 months and 2 years of age. Eczema usually appears on a baby's forehead, cheeks, or scalp, though it can spread to his arms, legs, chest, or other parts of his body. Your baby's rash might show up as dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, or become infected if scratched. And because it's intensely itchy, scratching can be a problem.
What causes eczema?
No one knows for sure, but we do know that eczema is often inherited. So your baby is more likely to have it if you or some other close family member has either had eczema, or had asthma or allergies. Eczema is not an allergic reaction to something, but it can be provoked by allergens in your baby's environment or diet, or in your diet if you're breastfeeding. Eczema can also be aggravated by heat, by irritants that come in contact with your baby's skin (like wool or the chemicals in some soaps, lotions, or detergents), by changes in temperature, and by dry skin.
How common is eczema in babies?
While 3 to 6 percent of the population has eczema, about 10 to 20 percent of babies have it in the first year of life. Many improve or are no longer troubled by eczema by the time they're 2 years old.
What can I do to treat my baby's eczema?
Taking good care of your baby's skin is crucial if he has eczema. Here are some tips:
• Try to keep your baby's skin from becoming too dry. Talk with your child's doctor about how often to bathe him. Many experts now believe that daily bathing can be helpful for babies with eczema. Just don't make the water too warm, because very warm water dehydrates the skin faster than lukewarm water. Use mild soaps, and wash and shampoo your baby at the end of bath time so he isn't sitting in soapy water. As soon as you get your baby out of the tub, pat his skin dry and then apply plenty of moisturizing ointment, cream, or lotion right away (within two to three minutes).
• Allow your baby's skin to breathe (and not overheat) by dressing him in natural fabrics like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials, though, because these can irritate his very sensitive skin.
• Switch to mild, fragrance-free soaps and shampoos, or those made for sensitive skin. Use mild, fragrance-free detergents for sensitive skin when laundering your baby's clothes and bedding, too.
• Rapid changes in temperature can make eczema worse, so try not to let your baby get too hot and then cool quickly, or vice versa.
• Pollen, dust mites, and animal dander can also trigger or worsen eczema. You might want to consult an allergist, who can provide tips on how to reduce allergens in your home. These tips may include more efficient ways of vacuuming and dusting, using air filters, and possibly getting rid of carpets and upholstered furniture. • Help your baby avoid scratching. He may try to get relief by scratching with his hands or by rubbing his face against his crib sheet when he sleeps. But scratching or rubbing can further irritate or inflame his skin and make matters much worse. Use the softest sheet possible in his crib, and keep his nails short. Put him to bed with cotton mittens or socks on his hands. If your baby has a lot of trouble sleeping because of eczema, talk with his doctor. She may suggest a baby dose of an antihistamine that will cut down on the itchy feeling and make your baby more drowsy, too.
Could my baby's eczema be caused by a certain food?
Eczema is not a specific allergy, but in some children, certain allergenic foods can trigger eczema or make it worse. If you or your doctor suspects that your baby's eczema is affected by certain foods — the mostly likely culprits being cows' milk and eggs, followed by soy, wheat, peanuts, and fish — then you could try eliminating them from your baby's diet, if he's started on solids, and from your own diet if you're breastfeeding. (Note that your baby shouldn't drink cows' milk until his first birthday, but if he's prone to eczema you might want to delay giving him milk and other potential allergens for even longer.)
Eliminate suspect foods one at a time, and give each test a couple of weeks, because it can take that long to get it completely out of your breast milk and his system. If you're using formula, your doctor may suggest that you try switching to a soy-based variety. This isn't always the solution, because some children who are allergic to milk are allergic to soy as well, but it's worth a try.
Keep in mind that while food may be a trigger in as many as 30 percent of children with eczema, it's the main trigger in only about 10 percent of eczema cases. You'll still want to be conscientious about other factors, like skin care.
Does breastfeeding help?
Maybe. Studies show that breastfeeding from the get-go does help prevent eczema in babies who are prone to get it (because their parents have it). Whether or not it helps a baby who already has eczema is controversial, but experts agree that it doesn't hurt.
What should I do if the rash doesn't get better?
Talk with your child's doctor or a pediatric dermatologist. If the rash doesn't get better from following the suggestions above, your doctor might suggest trying mild topical steroids (in cream form), which can be purchased over the counter. Applying this cream sometimes works wonders to help break a stubborn cycle of eczema. A short course of oral steroid medication can also help get eczema enough under control that the other relief methods you try work more effectively. Researchers are developing new drugs, like topical immunomodulators, to help eczema sufferers, so if your baby continues to struggle with the condition, ask his doctor to keep you up to date on remedies.
Will my child always have eczema?
Maybe. Most babies with eczema outgrow it by their teens, but there's no way to tell ahead of time. The good news is that the condition usually becomes less severe with age. And there are ways to manage it. By following the measures mentioned above and treating any flare-ups immediately, you can help keep your child's eczema under control.
eczema is a very irritating skin issue for many children (and their parents!)... i've noticed from friends' and family's kids that it's very often food-related.
no wonder... additives, preservatives, colourings... all very common culprits.
also, dairy products... another culprit.
if your ds has it bad, a blood test is a good way to test. my SIL sent the blood to USA for testing. her dd allergic to milk, banana and eggs.
not surprising... antibiotics, hormones, GMO products... i find the world in which we live affects our bodies in myriad ways....
no wonder... additives, preservatives, colourings... all very common culprits.
also, dairy products... another culprit.
if your ds has it bad, a blood test is a good way to test. my SIL sent the blood to USA for testing. her dd allergic to milk, banana and eggs.
not surprising... antibiotics, hormones, GMO products... i find the world in which we live affects our bodies in myriad ways....
Junior
Member
Thanks all for your generous tips! His diet doesnt change much but the rashes pops up and off every few weeks. When we walk in a mall, ppl will stare at us thinking that we abuse our boi! really embarassing. We clear his saliva whenever he drools but i'm not know how it happens, but he looks fine before bedtime and when he wakes up in the morning, the rashes pops up!
lisa_ng
Active Member
can go pd do a test to see what food the baby is allergic to but at times might not be able to detect even through the test.
like my niece she had eczema. pd told my sis to switch to an other fm for allegic which really help a lot. due to eczema her appetite was smaller, skin irritation whenever she start to sweat & at the skin fold areas. she will start to have runny nose or cough whenever she take other fm other than the one pd advise. she cant use any usual soap to bath & as well as lotion these got to be very mild ones & diaper rash was a common sign oso. her skin tend to be very dry had to apply mild lotion every now & then.
like my niece she had eczema. pd told my sis to switch to an other fm for allegic which really help a lot. due to eczema her appetite was smaller, skin irritation whenever she start to sweat & at the skin fold areas. she will start to have runny nose or cough whenever she take other fm other than the one pd advise. she cant use any usual soap to bath & as well as lotion these got to be very mild ones & diaper rash was a common sign oso. her skin tend to be very dry had to apply mild lotion every now & then.
My boy also has eczema. I am using cetaphil body wash and cetaphil moisturizier for him, he is much better now.
Make sure that you keep his skin very moisturized all the time. Use a very mild body wash like Cetaphil. Also use baby clothes detergent to wash his clothes, and make sure all detergent is completely rinsed off.
Make sure that you keep his skin very moisturized all the time. Use a very mild body wash like Cetaphil. Also use baby clothes detergent to wash his clothes, and make sure all detergent is completely rinsed off.
seems like nowadays baby/kids get eczema more often then last time. My son got this problem earlier on, got this very mild cream from PD - Dr. Atopeace, 60lm abt $18. Quite expensive but really helps.
Anyway, I can't found this cream in any pharnacy/ntuc healthlink etc.
Now, I am using Melalueca Gold bar soap & Renew lotion which economical & it works.
For eczema skin problem, need to chg the bedsheet more often, make sure change their clothes whenever sweat, keep their body dry... and change the laundry detergen to those mild 1 for sensitive skin.
Anyway, I can't found this cream in any pharnacy/ntuc healthlink etc.
Now, I am using Melalueca Gold bar soap & Renew lotion which economical & it works.
For eczema skin problem, need to chg the bedsheet more often, make sure change their clothes whenever sweat, keep their body dry... and change the laundry detergen to those mild 1 for sensitive skin.
Joylucas
Member
My ds also had Eczema and the condition got worse during his 5 to 6 mths. His "pimples" din seem to go down and worse my ds kept rubbing and scratching the infected area.
Brought him to PD at TMC, Dr give him cream which contain steriods. I wasnt informed that it had steriod in it, the nurse oni tell me put the cream very thinly on his face & not more than once a day. I not comfortable with it and wen for 2nd opinion from another PD at Mt E who told me to throw cream away cos steriods can cause cancer in bbs if use too much.
I was actually quite mad with TMC PD for not telling me & myself for not asking wat the cream contains.
Sorry... side-tracked.
For bb, the eczema will slowly go away without any medication. Jus ensure the area is clean. My ds eczema juz slowly disppear by itself & now he got his bb soft skin back.
And juz wan to highlight that watever medication or creams we give our precious mus check wat kind chemicals it contains which may be harmful to our bbs.
cheers
Brought him to PD at TMC, Dr give him cream which contain steriods. I wasnt informed that it had steriod in it, the nurse oni tell me put the cream very thinly on his face & not more than once a day. I not comfortable with it and wen for 2nd opinion from another PD at Mt E who told me to throw cream away cos steriods can cause cancer in bbs if use too much.
I was actually quite mad with TMC PD for not telling me & myself for not asking wat the cream contains.
Sorry... side-tracked.
For bb, the eczema will slowly go away without any medication. Jus ensure the area is clean. My ds eczema juz slowly disppear by itself & now he got his bb soft skin back.
And juz wan to highlight that watever medication or creams we give our precious mus check wat kind chemicals it contains which may be harmful to our bbs.
cheers
joylucas, i agree, never use steriod creams!! e body will become dependent on it!
i am using organic skincare for my boi now...his ezcema is long gone, thankfully...
for body wash n shampoo he is using GAIA....for body lotion and diaper cream, he is using goat's milk products from Canada....
sunscreen and rashes cream he is using California Baby (also organic fm US)....
i am using organic skincare for my boi now...his ezcema is long gone, thankfully...
for body wash n shampoo he is using GAIA....for body lotion and diaper cream, he is using goat's milk products from Canada....
sunscreen and rashes cream he is using California Baby (also organic fm US)....
maya2715
New Member
Hi,
Both my kids developed Eczema in their baby stages to toddler. Usually in my case the weather also plays apart. I noticed that when it is hot and dry, they get it often. I too used creams with steroids in the early stages for immediate treatment, but slowly changed to mild moisturising creams. The pd did tell me and I do know of some adults who are still dependent on steroid creams. But they have no choice. There are also some who try the natural method.
But now my sons are both 5 and 4 seem to have outgrown about 80%. Why such is because, once in a while it does creep back. But another thing is it could lead to other issues. Like my elder son, has now developed sensitive airways. Some doc say it could be bcos of his eczema. How true? I dunno.
He is now under medication to control his cough.
You have to do alot of changes for eczema. Do food testing to see if it plays a part. The type of clothes they wear. What they use to bathe and the cloth washing detergent. The house must be clean always.
Both my kids developed Eczema in their baby stages to toddler. Usually in my case the weather also plays apart. I noticed that when it is hot and dry, they get it often. I too used creams with steroids in the early stages for immediate treatment, but slowly changed to mild moisturising creams. The pd did tell me and I do know of some adults who are still dependent on steroid creams. But they have no choice. There are also some who try the natural method.
But now my sons are both 5 and 4 seem to have outgrown about 80%. Why such is because, once in a while it does creep back. But another thing is it could lead to other issues. Like my elder son, has now developed sensitive airways. Some doc say it could be bcos of his eczema. How true? I dunno.
He is now under medication to control his cough.
You have to do alot of changes for eczema. Do food testing to see if it plays a part. The type of clothes they wear. What they use to bathe and the cloth washing detergent. The house must be clean always.
I would like to share...
my prince of 10mths started to have eczema when he was 3mths old. The red patches grew bit by bit and the padeatrician did not say it was eczema aft visiting her for more than 2mths. In the end, it got worst after applying the cream given where my prince skin just burnt off... Only then did I notice that there was steriods.. I stopped but htat made the rashes grew more. nite was horrible. he cant sleep and it itch until blood on the bedsheet. I went to a skin specialist at Novena and the doc told me the only way is to gv him steriod as his eczemawas at te worst and critical stage. We have no choice but took the risk aft the side effect was told. for 1 week, he look so handsome... perfect skin.. was like he just came to the world.. Unbelievable on how strong this steriod is. I stop aft that and it came back.. tried all creams and TCM ... whatever ppl say is gd and could work, I tried.. until now, this eczema does not help much.. he got worst... seeing him like that aches my heart.. tears just rolled down each time i see him cry and scratch due to itch... we have spent so much $ on him and yet the cure to it is not seen yet... $$$ can earn but seeing him like tat makes me feel so guilty that I cant help him cure... He is stillon Friso stage 1... no other FM i tried suits him.. at one stage, he was on NEOCATE which was suggested by KKH. Just hope that some1 out there can help me to help my prince cure....
Hopeful mummy
my prince of 10mths started to have eczema when he was 3mths old. The red patches grew bit by bit and the padeatrician did not say it was eczema aft visiting her for more than 2mths. In the end, it got worst after applying the cream given where my prince skin just burnt off... Only then did I notice that there was steriods.. I stopped but htat made the rashes grew more. nite was horrible. he cant sleep and it itch until blood on the bedsheet. I went to a skin specialist at Novena and the doc told me the only way is to gv him steriod as his eczemawas at te worst and critical stage. We have no choice but took the risk aft the side effect was told. for 1 week, he look so handsome... perfect skin.. was like he just came to the world.. Unbelievable on how strong this steriod is. I stop aft that and it came back.. tried all creams and TCM ... whatever ppl say is gd and could work, I tried.. until now, this eczema does not help much.. he got worst... seeing him like that aches my heart.. tears just rolled down each time i see him cry and scratch due to itch... we have spent so much $ on him and yet the cure to it is not seen yet... $$$ can earn but seeing him like tat makes me feel so guilty that I cant help him cure... He is stillon Friso stage 1... no other FM i tried suits him.. at one stage, he was on NEOCATE which was suggested by KKH. Just hope that some1 out there can help me to help my prince cure....
Hopeful mummy
Based on my personal experience with my 2 girls who had bad eczema since birth, I believe most cases of eczema are caused by fungal infection or candida. Candida can propagate anywhere in and on the body. That's why these rashes keep returning, and usually at the same places. No amount of steroids, topical or oral, is going to help. Instead they are doing more harm.
Sometimes, such infections affect the respiratory tract, joints etc. Yes, joints! That's why some kids are sufferring from arthiritis. People with weak digestion, or who consume too much carbohydrate or sugar, are more prone to fungal infection.
Take a good digestive enzyme to break down the hard cell wall of the fungus and the skin should clear quickly. In addition, take a good probiotic to propagate the digestive tract with good bacteria. This way, the fungus will have little room to grow.
My kids' skin cleared with this regime. I've personally seen others who suffer from issues such as bad eczema, digestive and respiratory problems get well when on enzymes. Give it a try.
Sometimes, such infections affect the respiratory tract, joints etc. Yes, joints! That's why some kids are sufferring from arthiritis. People with weak digestion, or who consume too much carbohydrate or sugar, are more prone to fungal infection.
Take a good digestive enzyme to break down the hard cell wall of the fungus and the skin should clear quickly. In addition, take a good probiotic to propagate the digestive tract with good bacteria. This way, the fungus will have little room to grow.
My kids' skin cleared with this regime. I've personally seen others who suffer from issues such as bad eczema, digestive and respiratory problems get well when on enzymes. Give it a try.
Precious one
New Member
Hi,
My gal has eczema too. Found that out when she was two months old. Since then, she has been using Cetaphil to bath. But when her eczema flared up, that does not help until I found a cream called Physiogel. It's can be found in the NTUC unity or you can buy it from the National skin centre. It's cheaper at the National Skin centre. It cost about $39 for a 150ml tude. I apply on her every two hours and it helps to bring the rash down. I also make sure that my house is relatively dust free as that will help. As I am still breastfeeding her, I am also taking a juice that is rich in antioxidant to help to build up her resistent towards Eczema too.
Hope it helps.
Precious One
My gal has eczema too. Found that out when she was two months old. Since then, she has been using Cetaphil to bath. But when her eczema flared up, that does not help until I found a cream called Physiogel. It's can be found in the NTUC unity or you can buy it from the National skin centre. It's cheaper at the National Skin centre. It cost about $39 for a 150ml tude. I apply on her every two hours and it helps to bring the rash down. I also make sure that my house is relatively dust free as that will help. As I am still breastfeeding her, I am also taking a juice that is rich in antioxidant to help to build up her resistent towards Eczema too.
Hope it helps.
Precious One
SH74
Member
i went to c doc last month due to some skin irritation. doc said i got eczema. n that my bb might hv it. said it's more due to genetic. doc asked me to avoid all citrius stuff (e.g. orange, tomato). true enough, nv eat those stuff, my eczema recovered totally alr.
so now i'm monitoring my boy. alw making sure his skin stays moisturised. n his bath water is not too hot. so far so good.
so now i'm monitoring my boy. alw making sure his skin stays moisturised. n his bath water is not too hot. so far so good.
Hi, my son has mild Eczema and we have been using a chinese medical cream introduced by our friend.
If u r interested, call MR Phillip at 97357759.
He will deliver to u.
yvonne_ktw
Member
I found a supplier selling 100% Organic cotton cloths which is BEST for eczema babies/kids.
You interested?
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/f63/100-organic-cotton-baby-kids-cloths-best-eczema-babies-15253/
You interested?
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/f63/100-organic-cotton-baby-kids-cloths-best-eczema-babies-15253/