Eczema in children: How to soothe that itch
Skincare advisor John Gill gives his top tips on how to control this common skin condition in young children
Eczema is a non-contagious skin condition that affects one in five school children. With treatment, the symptoms can be controlled and reduced, and in many cases it disappears as children grow older: only one in 20 adults suffers from the condition.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
The most obvious signs of eczema are dry, red itchy patches of skin, which may be cracked. This can allow irritants to penetrate more easily and more moisture to escape. The severity can vary from very mild (dry, hot, itchy skin) to severe (broken and raw skin).
Eczema may be caused by a reaction to substances that come in contact with your child’s skin. It can be difficult to work out what the trigger is, but common irritants include detergent, soap or lotions, or pet fur. Eczema can also be brought on by the skin getting too hot and sweating, or possibly by certain foods.
The condition frequently affects children who have a family history of allergies such as asthma. Common in babies and young children, it often clears up by around the age of four to five: in fact, in an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of children it will have improved greatly by the age of 15.
How can eczema be treated?
In order to treat eczema, your GP can prescribe emollients (moisturisers) to keep your child’s skin as moist as possible. Steroids, antihistamines or antibiotics may also be prescribed to keep eczema under control. Only use products for sensitive skin and don’t overbathe your child. Avoid using soap — instead, try a non-soap cleanser, such as aqueous cream — and use emollients all the time, not just when the eczema is bad. Soft, natural fabrics, such as cotton, are less abrasive against the skin — try to avoid wool though, as this can make the skin itchier. For washing clothes, use a good quality, non-bio powder/liquid and a gentle, unscented fabric softener.
Smoke and extreme cold or heat are not good for eczema, so never smoke around your child or let him get too hot, especially during the night.
Reducing dust mites in your home may also help. Try increasing the temperature for washing bedding, lay flooring instead of carpets, and vacuum regularly. Freezing soft toys in a plastic bag overnight and then washing them will also help kill dust mites.
There is still debate over whether eczema is related to diet. If you suspect that your child’s eczema is related to something he is eating, speak to your GP. Avoid making any alteration to your child’s diet without medical advice.
The most important thing to do is try to keep scratching to a minimum. Keep your child’s nails short and try distraction techniques or encourage patting the skin to relieve itching, instead of scratching. Cotton mittens worn at night are great for babies and toddlers.
Find out more
- The National Eczema Society
www.eczema.org
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