Eczema In Infants: A Common Problem
For many new parents the sight of a red rash on their infants is extremely distressing. Most parents are not aware that eczema in infants is a fairly common problem and although it may look severe it is not contagious and can be treated.
Eczema in infants often appears on the face or scalp and can be found behind the knees and elbows. It appears as a red rash and it is estimated that up to about 65% of babies will develop varying degrees of eczema in their first two years of life.
What To do About Eczema In Infants
Eczema in infants is often the form of eczema known as atopic eczema, and scientists have a limited understanding about this form of eczema. It is thought that atopic eczema is caused by a series of conditions. Heredity seems to play a part in developing eczema, along with where you live and some problems with the immune system all combine to cause this condition. The red rash seems to be the bodies over response to an outside irritant to the skin. There can also be sores within the rash that will periodically open and ooze.
For parents, seeing the first signs of eczema in infants can be somewhat confusing. Eczema in infants is often a problem as their skin is dry and the rash is often noticed on the face and can appear on the chin and as babies often drool this can be the starting point of eczema in infants.
Keeping an infants skin from becoming dry may help with eczema in infants, this means limiting the number of baths that are given and using a lotion to help with dry skin. Eczema as opposed to just dry skin is also very itchy. Infants with eczema are not able to keep themselves from scratching at their skin, so it is important to keep their finger nails cut short to keep them from causing open sores to develop.
If a parent suspects eczema, they need to contact their physician for an evaluation. There are treatments that are available and they may include ointments for the skin and antibiotic ointments to prevent infections. Treatment may also involve trying to find out what has triggered the reaction in the first place and this may have to do with material in clothing or other outside causes.
Remember eczema in infants is common and most cases resolve themselves by two years old, be aware of the symptoms and talk to a physician if this is a concern.
