Caring for a Child with Eczema: Tips from Dr. Sylma
February 15, 20194 min read
Every day at the office, I receive questions from concerned parents about eczema, and what it can mean for their child. Sadly, this skin condition is extremely common nowadays. I see it in kids of all ages, from young infants to teenagers. Some children have their eczema well-controlled, while others have such a chronic condition, that they experience pain and discomfort regularly. Not only is it painful, but it’s painful to watch. Treating eczema is one of my passions as a pediatrician. I know how important it is to bring relief to my young patients, so I’m always trying to educate parents and kids about it.
WHAT IS ECZEMA?
First, let’s review what eczema is. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes rashes, dryness, redness and itching. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. The term “atopic” refers to skin conditions where a child is very sensitive to allergens found in the environment, such as mold, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and even certain types of food.
Eczema occurs in one out of 10 children. It is common in patients with a family history of environmental allergies and asthma.
SYMPTOMS
Since eczema is a chronic condition, it may be present at all times. Eczema can also go through periods of flare-ups, alternated with periods of minimal or no symptoms at all.
Each child is different, so as you can imagine, eczema presents differently de-pending on the child. It may show up on different parts of the body and across a range of ages.
For example, in babies between two and six months of age, it is common to initially see a bumpy rash, as well as red, itchy, dry patches on the face and scalp. Later on, the rash may present as circular slightly raised, scaly patches in the bends of elbows, behind the knees and/or on the back of the ankles and wrists.
As children get older, the rash becomes scalier, drier and itchier. It is also very common to see periodic flare-ups.
PREVENTION
Now that we know what eczema is all about and how it can present in little ones, let’s talk about the most helpful ways to prevent these undesirable flare-ups.
First, the right cleanser for bath or shower time is important. In babies, newborn skin is delicate, and for this reason, you must maintain its moisture, prevent any dryness and avoid irritants. A great way to achieve this is to use a very gentle cleanser that protects and nourishes the skin. A cleanser without harsh and toxic chemicals is a must, so one made with organic, plant-based ingredients is ideal. Also, a pH-balanced cleanser maintains the skin’s moisture barrier, that is, it will prevent the skin from becoming too dry. Our Oh-So-Sudsy Cleanser is ideal for newborns and little ones’ delicate skin! It is a pH-balanced, vegan cleans-ing stick made with organic, plant-based ingredients that will protect and nourish your babies’ precious skin.
Second, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! This is so important with newborns and little ones. One of my favorite tips for parents is to gently pat-dry their baby’s skin with a towel after bath time and immediately apply a balm or ointment (such as our Lovingly Organic Balm) to damp skin to lock in moisture. I remind them that their baby’s skin might feel greasy at first but it will absorb the extra moisture. This results in soft, well-moisturized skin, and best of all… skin that is not dry or itchy!
Third, be sure to avoid irritants that may come in contact with the skin. Harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrance, synthetic fabrics, laundry detergents with dyes and/or perfumes, and fabric softener are a few examples.
Fourth, food allergies and environmental allergies (caused by pollen, dust mites, animal dander, etc.) can trigger eczema flare-ups. It is important to ask your pediatrician about allergy testing, and of course, to avoid any triggers if the testing comes back positive.
TREATMENT
Unfortunately, there are cases where additional treatment is needed. Treating eczema effectively depends on the severity of the skin condition.
In most cases, topical steroids are commonly used. They come in the form of creams and ointments and can vary in strength. Non-steroidal medications, such as antihistamines, are often recommended to treat itching. Topical or oral antibiotics are used when there is a secondary skin infection, usually caused by excessive scratching of the affected areas.
Be sure to always consult your child’s pediatrician for a complete evaluation and a specific treatment plan for eczema.
As a pediatrician and a mom, I understand how important it is to provide the best care for your kids. When it comes to dealing with chronic conditions such as eczema, it can feel scary and frustrating. I hope after reading this article you feel empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate your little ones’ skin condition. My take-home message to you is: do not despair when your child is struggling with eczema. With the right approach and your loving care, eczema becomes a manageable condition and your precious one’s skin will improve.
A few years back, my passion for skincare and love for my patients and kids motivated me to create a nourishing skincare line for little ones. In the process of developing the line, I delved into the science behind several medicinal herbs and plants
Sniff, sniff– What is that strong smell? It might be the added fragrance in your lotion, shampoo, cleaning products or little one’s skincare. As parents, naturally we want the best for our children. That includes caring for their delicate and sensitive skin.
Have you tried essential oils? This wellness trend is all over lately and some oils claim to help with relaxation, skin health, mood regulation and more. While essential oils have become a popular alternative treatment for many health concerns, it's important to remember that not all forms of treatment are safe for everyone, especially children.
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More Reasons to Love Dr. Sylma
We love our kids (and yours too!). As parents, we know it’s a challenge to find healthy and safe products for our kids. That’s why Dr. Sylma strives to make your life easier. We source only socially and environmentally responsible ingredients. Our products are proudly USA-made, packaged in recycled materials and 100% cruelty-free. To your little ones’ best health!
My son struggles with eczema due to food allergies and I’ve wanted something with clean ingredients to help soothe his itchy skin. This product works and gives me peace of mind that I’m using something clean on his skin barrier that is compromised. To me, it’s worth every penny.
We absolutely love this balm. It is so soothing on our daughter's skin, and has given her much relief with her eczema. It surprised me to see her reaction when she saw the new container come in - she was so excited for her favorite balm to come in .. which she had never reacted to any other. 10/10 recommend !
Wow Dr Sylma! Item came in a BEAUTIFUL and sturdy packaging that made me feel like i was opening a wonderful present. I appreciated the insulated packaging as well, because the weather is so hot these days!
I am Loving the new texture of the balm. Bought it for my daughter but at this rate i think ill be the one using it more! I Love how smooth it makes our skin feel. Initially i was worried it would feel greasy but instead it melts onto my skin and absorbs quickly. At the end, im left with a buttery soft feeling of the skin. We just got our balm, but we’ve been using it nonstop.
Also, must give an applause to the wonderful customer service! Bravo to the Dr Sylma brand!👏👏
I am about to purchase our fifth container or Soothing Balm. I have been looking for something natural and gentle for my baby’s skin. This has been the best find! The packaging and personalized notes make it all the better. Love this product & company!
So thankful we found Dr.Sylma! Our toddler has had eczema since he was a baby, we’ve tried so many different lotions and balms over the years and none have worked as well as Dr. Sylma! It has worked wonders for his eczema. We use it daily and can really tell when we have run out of it. The owner has the sweetest spirit.