Baby Eczema - Infant Eczema

Because reflux babies are under stress or frequently have food sensitivities they often have infant eczema as well.

What is baby eczema?

Baby eczema is a topical skin rash, most frequently showing up anytime after birth on the face, arms and legs but rarely in the diaper area. The rash can look like chapped, scaly skin or tiny red bumps that can blister or ooze, are incredibly itchy, and are sometimes accompanied by molluskum (clear skin warts that usually resolve on their own in 6 - 18 months). Both the eczema patches and the molloskum can be spread by scratching so it's important to keep scratching to a minimum.

Anyone with a family history of eczema or respiratory illnesses has an increased liklihood of also getting eczema.

What causes baby eczema?

Eczema is a hypersensitivity of the skin to irritants in the body, whether they be diet-related, respiratory (as in the case of asthma, allergies or hay fever), or a reaction to topical irritants such as chemicals in lotions, synthetic fabrics, or perfumes in laundry detergents, soaps or lotions.

Food sensitivies such as common food triggers for reflux can certainly be responsible for eczema, although only about one third of all babies and children have diet-related eczema.

Other suspected causes are dust, dust mites, mold, pet dander or pollen. Once a baby develops eczema there are numerous triggers that cause recurrences such as sun exposure, heat, topical irritants and stress.

Treatments for baby eczema

Do:

Keep your house a cool temperature with average humidity by using a humidifier or dehumidifier if necessary.

Wash all bedding frequently and use a double rinse cycle on any of baby's clothing or bedding items.

Breastfeed your baby as much as possible to pass your anti-bodies onto your baby.

If breastfeeding consider an elimination diet to see if any items in your diet are contributing to your baby's eczema.

Increase essential fatty acids in baby's (if eating solids) or your diet. Fish oil, olive oil, avocado oil and flax seed oil are all good choices.

Only dress your baby in well-ventilated natural fiber clothing.

Consider seeing a naturopath if your baby is eating solids and seems to have no food sensitivities.

Instead of applying sunscreen to baby's delicate skin opt for complete natural coverage in baby carriers and strollers, otherwise stay out direct sunlight entirely.

Avoid:

Harsh chemicals

Petroleum (can clog the pores)

Scents or perfumes added to personal products or laundry detergents for both you and your baby.

Synthetic fibers

Overdressing your baby

Over-stimulating situations and crying as much as possible.

Sun exposure

Care for baby eczema

Use only lukewarm water when bathing. You can add goat's milk directly to the bath.

Bathe daily to remove any irritants on skin like dirt, sweat or sunblock.

Use only gentle, natural soaps that don't remove necessary skin oils or contain unnecessary scents or ingredients. We recommend the goat's milk soap, oatmeal cream soap, calendula soap or emu oil soap from Flutterby Aromatics.

Gently pat your baby's skin mostly dry and then begin your moisturizing routine quickly to trap moisture from the bath in the skin.

Immediately before moisturizing apply the soothing baby hydrosol to the skin. This should be applied several times throughout the day, not just at bathtime.

Massage calendula ointment into the eczema patches. This should also be applied several times throughout the day.

Use a gentle hydrating lotion without scent on your baby's entire body.

Are medications for baby eczema safe?

There is legitimate concern about medications marketed for baby eczema. Dr. Greene's excellent website has information on eczema treatment warnings. We believe that only natural products should ever touch a baby. What is deemed safe today by the FDA may turn into tomorrow's recall once more testing is conducted.