A dermatologist may prescribe stronger creams or ointments for your baby s eczema or in some cases oral medications or antibiotics if the eczema was caused by an infection.
What can you do to treat baby eczema.
It s common and very treatable.
Eczema can show up as red crusty patches on your baby s skin often during their first few months.
In fact up to 67 percent of infants with severe eczema and 25 percent of infants with mild eczema will develop a food allergy says jonathan spergel m d board certified allergist.
Eczema is characterized by itchy dry rough flakey inflamed and irritated skin.
Eczema and food allergies.
Simply rinse off the rest of your child.
What can you do to treat baby eczema at home.
Giving your baby a short warm bath is one of the most effective things you can do to treat and manage eczema at home.
Consider bleach bath therapy.
Bleach bath therapy is rarely used for babies.
It s common and very treatable.
If you can identify your baby s triggers try to find ways to eliminate or avoid them.
Use soap only where your baby may be dirty such as the genitals and hands and feet.
Babies with eczema are at a higher risk than the general population for developing food allergies.
It can flare up disappear and then flare up again.
If your baby has eczema you can treat the condition by dressing your baby in loose clothes keeping their skin moisturized and applying an over the counter topical corticosteroid like 1 hydrocortisone to the rashy areas once or twice per day.
Wet wraps usually help with severe flare ups.
You can give your baby an oral antihistamine like zyrtec or claritin to combat the itching but.
Many eczema washes can sting the eyes so look for eczema washes that are tear free and carefully avoid the child s eyes.
Talk to a dermatologist if your baby s eczema is severe.
If baby has mild to moderate eczema early and sustained exposure to allergenic foods.
Many infants outgrow it.
Your dermatologist can also use light therapies to treat your baby.
For example if you notice that your baby s saliva is triggering eczema on the face apply plain petroleum jelly around your baby s mouth before feedings and naps.