Eczema & Your Baby

This week marks National Eczema Week. A time to raise awareness and understanding of a complex condition which can affect multiple generations and is known to be irritating, itchy and in some cases downright painful. Affecting around 20% of children in the UK, eczema can develop in the first six months of a baby’s life, so it’s beneficial to be aware of what it is, how to spot it and most importantly for us, how to soothe our little ones if they have it.

In a nutshell, skin is our body’s defence against infection and irritation. It's made up of layers, each containing skin cells, water and fats. When these components are balanced, our skin is supple and healthy. With eczema, the skin may not make enough fat or retain enough water which makes skin break down more easily, resulting in it being less effective at stopping irritation and infection. When mixed with substances that we use regularly like bubble bath, soap or washing up liquid which by the very nature of their jobs remove fats and oils, eczematous skin can quickly become cracked and sore.

The complexity becomes clear when we ask ‘why does my baby have eczema?’ as there is no single answer. Eczema is thought to be a genetic condition, so if you notice that your baby has it, it’s likely that someone else in the family has it too. In addition to genetics, people with eczema may have an overactive immune system which kicks in when irritants (such as soap, washing powder or heat) are present, causing flare ups. Not everyone with eczema reacts to the same irritant, so it can be tricky at first to work out what causes your little one’s eczema to flare up; it can be a good idea to keep a little diary, noting what products have been used so that you can start to pinpoint them.

If you notice that your little one has patches of skin that look to be dry and a different colour to their usual tone, (often on cheeks, elbows, knees, wrists and ankles) it may be that they have eczema. The skin during a bout of eczema can be itchy and sore.

Although there is currently no cure for eczema, there are some simple ways to help manage it. Firstly, gaining an understanding of what triggers a flare up means that you can help your little one to avoid them. So, keeping a little diary as previously described can help. A daily bath in lukewarm water, free from any harshly scented or perfumed soap, bubble bath or body wash will clean your baby’s skin gently and add that all important moisture. You may wish to try using specific bath products for eczema or stick with just plain water for the time being. After bathing, gently pat, not rub, their skin with a clean towel, leaving it slightly damp before applying a suitable moisturiser to lock in moisture. Try not to ‘rub it in’, instead using long gentle strokes over the skin. Keeping your little one’s skin moisturised can help to reduce flare ups and soothe their skin. In addition to using their moisturiser after a bath, try to apply it regularly during the day too. Avoid lotions, oils, gels and creams that are perfumed and seek support from your health visitor, pharmacist or GP to find one that works for your baby; it’s not unusual to have to try a few before finding one that works well. During a bout of eczema, using baby mittens and keeping nails trimmed can help to stop your little one from breaking the skin on any itchy patches, making their flare up worse.

If your baby has wet-looking, weepy skin (perhaps with gold coloured crusting) and their eczema is not showing signs of improvement, ask to see your health visitor or GP. It might be that your baby needs antibiotics or a different, medicated lotion or cream.

The National Eczema Society has very useful information on eczema in babies for anyone who may need further guidance (https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/information-for-parents-and-children/babies-and-eczema).

Please note, I am a mum, sharing information and tips with you based on experience and lengthy research. However, I understand that these are no substitute for a medical degree. If you are concerned at all about your baby’s health, please contact your health visitor or GP.