Eczema : Diagnosing Eczema in Babies
Why some people are more susceptible to dermatological conditions than others is still unknown. Typically, contact with some external allergen triggers an allergic reaction, leading to the typical skin symptoms and changes seen in sufferers. For baby's, eczema can be an awful condition where the rash is followed by flaking skin that can easily become cracked, causing a great deal of distress. In the United Sates of America, up to one in every five infants will be affected by this skin condition.
Luckily, for most young children, the condition has disappeared before they have their second birthday. There are some cases though that do not clear up, even becoming serious enough to continue when they become adults. Almost anyone can be affected by this problem at any time in their life but it is babies that are most likely to suffer. Approximately 33 percent of sufferers have had the condition before they were twelve months old and the majority before their fifth birthday.
The most common type in babies is atopic eczema and this type of baby eczema is characterized by itching, and red, scaly skin on the scalp, face, arms or legs. Atopic eczema often runs in families, and can be triggered when a baby's skin isn't moisturized properly. In some babies, wearing clothes that have been washed in certain detergents or treated with fabric softeners may trigger the condition. Some recent research has indicated that baby eczema may caused by babies that are weaned early so breastfeeding for a longer period be beneficial.
Respiratory conditions can also trigger attacks but other medical complaints may also cause this too. Mothers who have asthma are also more likely to have a baby that has the condition but allergic rhinitis and food allergies can also play a part. 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. Removing the guilty foods comes down to trial and error although there are some common foodstuffs that should be looked at first including:
*Sea and freshwater fish *Milk *Products using wheat as an ingredient *Egg based meals *Foods where peanut oil may have been used
Often, the cause of baby eczema is attributed to antibiotics given to the child when it was born. Infants, in particular babies with the condition need to be washed gently in lukewarm water using proprietary lubricating creams. When they are dry, the use of fragrance free products is highly recommended and only natural fabrics like cotton for example. To stop a baby form scratching the irritated skin it is important to ensure they have their nails short and wear mittens which should help stop further infection. For more sever cases of baby eczema, the pediatrician may suggest the use of antihistamines which can help relieve itching; steroid creams can also be used for a short period to help heal the skin. 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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