Does your baby have an itchy patch that won’t go away? It might be eczema, otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, a skin infection that could bring discomfort to your little one.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), eczema is a common, non-infectious skin problem, which causes “scattered itchy dry patches with scaling on the skin of the arms (such as the inner surface of the elbows), legs (behind the knees), face and body.”
In the Philippines alone, eczema is among the top 10 skin diseases treated in outpatient departments of Philippine Dermatologic Society (PDS)- accredited institutions, and the majority of patients were children between 1 to 12 years old, according to a study published in a medical journal in 2015. Several cases among children under 1 year old have also been reported.
Here are the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention of eczema, according to the PDS and WHO:
Symptoms
- single or multiple very itchy patches; bumps; skin flaking, scales, and over time may be thickened dry skin
- on babies: rashes are found on scalp and face
- on children and adults: rashes are at the back of the neck, creases of elbows, and back of the knees, wrists, and ankles
Causes
Eczema is not contagious but could be hereditary, according to experts. It is also not caused by some food, as previously believed in many Filipino households. Food such as chicken, shrimp, or eggs do not cause eczema, added PDS. Food allergies could however trigger other skin issues.
The following are confirmed triggers of eczema:
- heat, perspiration, dry environments
- emotional stress
- exposure to chemicals such as detergents, soap, perfume,
- exposure to allergens like cigarette smoke, dust
Treatment and prevention of eczema
Ensure proper skin hydration to stop eczema from worsening. This means using mild bathing and post-bath products that hydrate skin well. Gentle skin care also includes the following:
- avoid scrubbing
- avoid long bath time (keep it at 5-10 minutes)
- avoid using hot water because this worsens dryness
- for children
- especially after bath and re-applying lotions to keep hydrated and avoid flares
- for your baby’s clothes
- bedsheets
- avoid allergens like house dust, mites, pet fur, pollen and molds
With flare-ups, treatments range from topical steroids (may be applied for a limited time), or other drugs or phototherapy for long-term treatment. If the irritated skin is infected, an antibacterial medication may be applied, as prescribed by a dermatologist.
Some oral antihistamines may also help control itching. WHO suggests avoiding scratching affected parts because the constant point of contact could become darker and thicker.
Having eczema is doubly hard for kids, who could not control the urge to scratch. Help them understand why they have rashes or scales on their skins. Some child-centric science shows like Dr. Binocs may help your kid better grasp their condition.
Also remember that It is important to have a check up with your child’s pediatrician and dermatologist for proper diagnosis, as some symptoms could also mean other skin diseases.
