About Eczema

Please note that we at Sock Monkeys Clothing are not doctors or medical experts.  We are a family-run business with a little loved one who suffers with eczema.  To help her stay safe from scratching and to help other little itching ones, we did some research and developed Sock Monkeys Clothing . Below are some of our learnings – we hope you find this information useful.

What is baby eczema?

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a skin disease (inflammation of the skin, rash) that might look like dry, leathery, thickened, scaly skin. It might also be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister and ooze. It will almost always include tender and extremely itchy skin.

Eczema usually shows up on a baby’s cheeks, forehead, and the joints of the arms and legs. Eczema can be easily confused with cradle cap (a separate condition), so be sure to have your baby diagnosed by a pediatric dermatologist.

Eczema is not contagious. However, if your baby is suffering with it, you will almost certainly suffer along with him/her. The intense itching leads to deep, incessant scratching. Many-a-night can be spent trying to keep your little one from scratching themselves to the point of horrific bleeding. Scratching can cause the skin to split and increase the risk of infection. If it does get infected, the skin can crack and ooze liquid or blood, known as ‘weeping’ or ‘wet’ eczema.

About 20 percent of infants and young children have eczema. It usually starts in infancy, with 65 percent of patients developing symptoms in the first year of life and 90 percent developing symptoms before age 5. About 60 percent of cases persist into adulthood.  Most children outgrow eczema by the time they are 2 or 3, but there’s no way to know if they will or not.  Fortunately, the condition usually becomes less severe with age.

Click here for more disturbing pictures…viewer beware…. http://www.visualdxhealth.com/infant/atopicDermatitisEczema.htm

What causes eczema?

No one knows for sure, but research shows it appears to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Your baby is more likely to have it if you or a close family member has had eczema, asthma, or allergies. Eczema is an immune system reaction that can be triggered by certain substances (soaps, creams, detergents, nickel, perfume, rubber). The rash can also be aggravated by heat, changes in temperature, stress, and sweat.

How can I treat my baby’s eczema?

Treating eczema is primarily about managing flare-ups (by avoiding triggers) and maximizing comfort for your baby. Here are a few tips to discuss with your doctor.

• Try to keep your baby’s skin from becoming too dry. This can be accomplished with frequent (daily, 10-minute) bathing. There are emollient bath oils and soap substitutes available to assist with moisturization. Use lukewarm water to prevent over-drying.
• Allow your baby’s skin to breathe (and not become overheated) by dressing her in smooth natural fabrics, like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials. Sock Monkeys Clothing is made of organic cotton and designed to be loose and breathable.
• Rapid changes in temperature can make eczema worse, so try not to let your baby get too hot and then cool quickly, or vice versa.
• Help your baby avoid scratching. He/she may try to get relief by scratching with her hands or by rubbing her face against the sheet when she sleeps. But scratching and rubbing can further irritate or inflame her skin and make matters much worse. Sock Monkeys Clothing is designed specifically for this purpose!
• Use the softest sheets possible in the crib.
• Keep his/her nails short.
• During a flare-up, you can try applying cool compresses to the area several times a day, followed by a moisturizer.
• Treat your home for dust mites, as they can trigger a flare-up.

Are there medications for child eczema?

If the rash doesn’t get better after following the suggestions above, your doctor might suggest trying medication, including steroids, which can be a controversial topic. But, a steroid cream or ointment sometimes works wonders to help break a stubborn cycle of eczema. A short course of medication can sometimes help get eczema under enough control that the other methods you try will work more effectively.

• Topical steroids, which are applied to the skin, are an option. Mild steriods can be purchased over-the-counter in the form of hydrocortisone creams. Your doctor may prescribe stronger steroids, such as Cutivate (Fluticasone), Dermatop (prednicarbate), Elocon (mometasone), Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) , and 0.1 percent triamcinolone. BEWARE of the potential side effects of these (e.g. skin thinning and stretch marks). ALWAYS consult with your doctor when considering any type of medication, such as steroids.
• Newer steroid-free topical medications are also available to treat children with eczema, including Elidel and Protopic. These medications are only recommended for children over 2, and there are potential risks (including cancer) being debated on these medications. Proceed with caution!
• Antibiotics (oral or topical) can help reduce bacterial infections on the skin.
• Antihistamines are another option for helping your little one cope with eczema. Using a sedating antihistamine, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) or Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride, could help him/her get some much-needed relief from itching and sleep.
• Other treatments you can explore with your pediatric dermatologist include oral steroids, ultraviolet light therapy, and immunosuppressive drugs, like cylcosporin.

Is nutrition a factor in infant eczema?

Sometimes. Eczema is not a specific allergy, but in some children, certain allergenic foods can trigger eczema or make it worse. The most common food triggers for eczema are cow’s milk and eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, and fish. You may want to try eliminating them from your baby’s diet, and from your own diet if you’re breastfeeding.

Keep in mind that while food may be a trigger for as many as 30 percent of children with eczema, it’s the main trigger in only about 10 percent of eczema cases. You’ll still want to be conscientious about skin care and other factors.

Final Thoughts

Be sure to stay in contact with your pediatric dermatologist as researchers are continuing to develop new drugs to help eczema sufferers.

Call your doctor immediately if your baby develops a fever or other signs that he/she may have an infection (the area is warm to the touch or oozing, for example).

For more information (and the source of some of our findings), check out these sites:
National Eczema Association
webmd.com
pediatrics.about.com
babycenter.com
foodallergies.about.com