Atopic eczema is common in infants. However, there are simple measures that can alleviate the infant and help to cope better with the condition.
Atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin disease that usually appears between three months and two years of age. It appears as dry, red plaques, mainly on the face, cheeks and forehead. These plaques may ooze or flake, and cause intense itching. With increasing age, it usually affects predominantly the neck and the flexures of the arms and legs.
Why does my baby suffer from atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis?
There is a genetic predisposition to atopic dermatitis. It is known that there is an alteration of the cutaneous barrier, with genetic deficit of proteins of this epidermal barrier. In six out of 10 children suffering from eczema, one of the parents is atopic, i.e. prone to allergy. Thus, this form of eczema appears in children prone to allergy and its various forms of manifestation: asthma, rhinitis, eczema. In addition to these genetic factors, there are various environmental or external factors.
How atopic dermatitis progresses
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic pathology that evolves in outbreaks. There are periods of crisis and periods of remission during which the lesions remit. This remission can last several weeks or even months. Normally, after years of evolution, the disease stops spontaneously, which usually occurs before puberty in 70-80% of cases.
Triggering factors in atopic dermatitis flare-ups
There are some factors that can trigger an outbreak of atopic dermatitis, which can be: heat, sweat, stress, dry skin, an associated allergy, etc.
What will be the treatment of atopic dermatitis?
The basic treatment consists of moisturizing the baby’s skin well and frequently. Thus, a moisturizing cream suitable for their skin should be applied at least once a day, following the recommendations of the dermatology specialist. Bath gels suitable for baby’s skin should also be used.
On the other hand, it is advisable to use bath oils and not to give the baby baths that are neither too hot (above 33 degrees) nor too long (more than 5 minutes).
In the outbreak phase, some therapeutic ointments containing corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors are also prescribed to treat plaques, but the specialist’s instructions should always be strictly followed. Sometimes it will be necessary to treat the added superinfection with antibiotics.
For severe forms of the disease, various oral treatments are reserved.
Precautions and recommendations
There are a number of recommendations that can help to prevent atopic dermatitis from worsening:
– Avoid fabric softeners in the outbreak phase of dermatitis.
– Do not dry laundry in the open air during the pollen season.
– Regarding fabrics, wool and synthetic materials are not recommended. Wool can irritate the skin and synthetic fabrics make it difficult for the skin to perspire, so they can favor maceration.
– As far as food is concerned, try not to introduce foods that may cause allergies (egg whites, lactose, peanuts, gluten or fish). This recommendation applies especially to young children.
– Special body hygiene is recommended, avoiding common soaps and using those enriched with lipids or acids.
– After bathing, do not rub the child’s skin, but rinse it gently and apply a moisturizing cream immediately, thus preserving the skin’s natural moisture.
– As eczema can also affect the feet, it is recommended to avoid high shoes such as boots and wear low shoes.
– With regard to hair, some haircuts can irritate the skin, especially around the nape of the neck or behind the ears. It is preferable to wear your hair short or tied back.
– It is recommended not to heat the room of children with atopic dermatitis too much. In addition, if the air is dry, a humidifier should be used.
– Atopic infants should not be kissed if the caregiver has a cold sore, as atopic children are weaker to certain herpes.
Can my child receive vaccinations even though he/she suffers from atopic dermatitis?
Vaccination should be carried out as normal, even though some vaccines may cause a slight flare-up of the disease.