Symptoms of Childrens Eczema
August 3, 2008
While medicine now knows that a person’s immune system is involved, what causes eczema remains a mystery. Something external must trigger the allergic reaction that leads to the symptoms that we all recognize in this skin complaint. The condition known as baby eczema usually starts with a red rash on the infants face but this gradually gets worse until the skin becomes ridged and cracked. This condition does not differentiate between classes and races with as many as 20 percent of babies in the USA being treated for this complaint every year. Luckily, for most young children, the condition has disappeared before they have their second birthday. For a small number of children this skin complaint does not disappear when they are young but continues into adulthood. While people of any age can get this condition, it is most common in babies and young children. Approximately 33 percent of sufferers have had the condition before they were twelve months old and the majority before their fifth birthday. Baby eczema is most likely to be most common type (atopic eczema) and is normally found on the arms, legs, face and scalp as a red rash that itches and has a scaly appearance. Moisturizing a baby’s skin can help prevent atopic eczema but this skin condition does run in families. A baby’s skin is much more sensitive and it is not uncommon for washing powders and softeners to trigger an attack. It has also discovered that baby eczema was more likely if the mother gave up breastfeeding early which could mean that breast milk may contain something that protects the infant. However, other problems the baby might have including those of a respiratory nature or an associated medical condition could also act as an asthma trigger. Studies have also shown that it may be more common in those infants who suffer from allergic rhinitis or food allergies, or whose mothers suffer from asthma. In fact almost a third of all childhood cases are thought to be as a result of a food allergy,however, once the food responsible is discovered, it can be taken out of the child’s diet. some of these groups are mentioned below: Fish from either freshwater or the seaCream and other milk productsBreadProducts containing eggsAny meals or candy etc. Mothers can also have children that suffer with baby eczema when the infant receives antibiotics soon after birth. Bathing a baby with this complaint requires care as their skin is so sensitive which means the water must be at a comfortable temperature using creams that will not irritate their skin. using only fragrance-free products, can also help. A baby with this condition can easily cause infection to damaged skin if their nails are not kept short because they will undoubtedly scratch themselves constantly. Antihistamines to ease the itching sensation can be prescribed by a pediatrician in more severe cases of baby eczema,the application of a steroid cream for a limited time to help heal the skin quicker may also be used. It is not yet possible to completely cure this skin complaint but at least a number of treatments can help ease the situation.
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