How to Save Your Kids from Eczema

Our children are born with perfect, beautiful skin. So when the telltale signs of eczema appear in the form of red, itchy patches, we seek to find the cause and a permanent solution. Yet many parents do not know how to permanently treat their child’s eczema so they resolve to manage it.

The Allergy/Eczema Connection

There is an allergy/eczema connection many people are unaware of. If you or your spouse suffered from allergies, such as hay fever, or had asthma or eczema, your child has a higher likelihood of developing the most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis. Eczema is not an allergy, however, allergies to things like pollen, dander and certain foods can cause flare-ups. Understanding this is key to getting control of your child’s eczema.

Here are four tips to save your kids from eczema.

1. Know What Triggers Your Child’s Eczema – The most common culprits for triggering eczema include the use of chemicals (household cleaners, detergent, fabric softener, perfume, etc.) on the skin or on items that touch the skin. Hot water when bathing, sunburns and foods are also the bane of many eczema sufferers existence. By keeping a journal of what causes eczema to flare-up, you can start limiting or avoiding use of these products to improve your child’s skin.
2. Keep ‘em Cool – Sweating is a great way to cleanse the body of toxins, however, for people with eczema, sweating can exacerbate the problem. When your kids do get sweaty, get their skin cooled off as quickly as possible through a rinse in the shower or bath.
3. Lube Up – Dry, itchy skin screams for moisturizers. The common products found at many drug stores are laden with chemicals, which may worsen their skin condition. Instead, consider making your own body butter or skin lotion out of products such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and vitamin E. These natural oils and butters are very nourishing for the skin. Here is a favorite recipe. The key is to figure out what products work well and stick with them.
4. Use a Humidifier – The winter brings drier air, which leads to drier skin. To help soothe dry, itchy skin, consider purchasing a humidifier to manage the humidity in your home. Whole house humidifier’s are available but can be expensive. Instead start out with a humidifier added to your child’s bedroom. Also, when in the car, avoid having the hot air below directly onto your child’s skin.

By understanding eczema, parents can learn how to take control of a skin condition that seems uncontrollable. If you have questions about your child’s eczema, contact our pediatric providers for an appointment by calling 910-486-5437 or visit us online at RainbowPeds.net.