Treatment for Childhood Eczema
According to the Mayo Clinic, atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a skin condition that affects many infants and children, and can even be carried on into adulthood. Eczema may come and go, and will even disappear for years before reappearing. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but common irritants such as perfumed soaps can exacerbate the itchiness attributed to eczema. The severity of the skin condition can become so bothersome that your affected child can become distracted by the urge to constantly scratch. If you have a child who suffers from eczema, here are some treatments that can help alleviate the misery.
-
Cortisone Creams
-
Your physician may prescribe a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, or you can buy an over-the-counter version in the drugstore. These creams are used to decrease inflammation of the affected site, and help alleviate itching. You should never use a cream that contains more than 2 percent hydrocortisone, as hydrocortisone is a steroid, and long-term use of such creams may cause side effects in your child, such as lightning of the skin and stretch marks.
Baths
-
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends that you soak the affected area for no more than 20 minutes. You don't need to bathe your child every day, as excessive bathing can strip your child's skin of essential, natural oils. You can use oatmeal baths or bath oils to help retain the water in your child's skin. Never use perfumed soaps, and never rub your child's skin with a washcloth. Once your child is done with the bath, pat the skin dry, and follow up with a moisturizer.
-
Creams
-
Nonperfumed lotions are essential when using a cream in your child's eczema treatment. Fragrance-free creams such as Cetaphil and Eucerin are excellent products. Eucerin cream works best when your child has a severe eczema flare-up, while Cetaphil works in mild cases.
Night Treatment
-
Itching is usually worse for your child at night, and may cause trouble sleeping because of its severity. Antihistamines work to reduce scratching, and it is important to speak with your child's pediatrician about which medication may be suitable for your child, since antihistamines contain sedative effects. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, using knee-high socks can help prevent children from scratching their legs in the middle of the night since they are less likely to pull the socks off.
Washing Clothes
-
How you wash your child's clothes can also help alleviate eczema. You can separate your child's clothes from the rest of the family's and wash them with nonperfumed detergent such as Dreft. You can use any detergent that is dye-free and unscented. You should always wash newly purchased clothes before they are worn for the first time. According to Suzanne Berman, M.D., even washing your child's clothes twice can also be helpful.
Other Treatments
-
Having your child wear breathable clothes, such as 100 percent cotton, is helpful. Cotton clothes are not harsh and are a better choice than materials such as wool, which is likely to make your child's skin itch. Always keep your child's nails short to help minimize scratching that can break the skin. Keep your child cool; flare-ups occur more often when children sweat from being overheated.
Complications
-
It is important to treat your child's eczema. If the itching continues and goes untreated, your child may scratch to the point of causing neurodermatitis, or lichen simplex chronicus. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition can cause the affected skin to become thick and leathery. The skin can then become raw and inflamed, and in severe cases, may even scar. Treatment is also important in order to prevent bacterial infections from occurring if your child breaks the skin when scratching.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eczema-arms.jpg
