Does your child have a stubborn rash on his arms, hands, or face? If this rash is itchy, your child probably has eczema, a non-contagious skin condition that many children experience. 60% of children with eczema start showing symptoms before their first birthday, while 30% show first signs of eczema by age five. Many children have sensitive skin which is only irritated further by clothing, laundry detergent, soap, and other things that you may not be aware of.
Don’t worry though as there is a solution! In fact, Bamboo baby clothes are great for children with eczema because the fabric is cool on the skin.
Unfortunately, eczema has no cure. However, you can control flare-ups in various ways. First, as you care for your child, you need to target four primary problems; skin infection, inflammation, dryness, and itchiness when caring for a child with eczema.
Keep the skin moisturized.
Eczema tends to be more severe when the skin is dry. Unfortunately, to ease the itch, infants and young children rub against their clothes. So, even if you have moisturized the skin, it will likely become dry once again. You, therefore, need to keep moisturizing the skin several times a day.
Ask your doctor to prescribe the best moisturizer to use. When you use the right moisturizer, you may avoid using steroid creams.
Only use products that are suitable for eczema
Some soaps and detergents tend to make eczema worse for your child. If you notice your child itching more than usual, the problem might be the soap, detergent, or fragrance you use.
Find out if the detergent you are using to wash your child’s clothes will worsen eczema. If it is, it is best to avoid it. Some fragrances also cause eczema to flare up. Some doctors recommend a soapless birth. When shampooing your baby’s hair, ensure none of the soap gets to his skin.
Avoid putting your hands in the moisturizer.
Children with eczema are prone to getting skin infections. When you keep putting your hands in the tub of moisturizer, you risk exposing your child to skin infections.
Instead, you should scoop the moisturizer you need using a clean spoon. Put the moisturizer on a paper towel and start applying it to your child’s skin.
Alternatively, use a moisturizer from a pump bottle. Some eczema-prescribed moisturizers come in pump bottles to protect against skin infections.
Even as you take these precautions, you need to ensure that your hands are always clean before moisturizing your child’s skin.
Choose your child’s clothing and beddings carefully.
Unfortunately, when your child has eczema, you may not have the luxury of choosing clothes and beddings based on how good they look. Instead, you should pay attention to the fabric.
You should only use 100% cotton on your child. Other fibers, such as the lanolin found in wool, irritate a child with eczema.
Ensure items that your child frequently uses, such as clothes and beddings, are made of cotton. Place cotton fabric over car seats and sofas before laying your child down. Remember to remove brand tags from clothes as they tend to irritate the neck.
There is much more you can do to ensure your child remains comfortable. Observe your child as often as possible to ensure you notice any signs of discomfort. Fortunately, 75% of children outgrow their eczema, so these precautions may not be as stringent as your child grows older.