Eczema

Eczema

Eczema is a common skin condition that affects about one in five children. Eczema is an inherited chronic skin condition that usually appears before your child is one. Children with eczema have dry, sensitive skin. They will be itchy and have a red rash in patches on their skin. Sometimes the skin can crack, weep and scab over.

Signs and Symptoms

• Skin dryness.
• Itchiness.
• Red patches in particular on the elbows, behind the knee and near other skin creases.
• Weeping.
• The rash can cover the entire skin of the child.

Eczema can vary in severity and symptoms may flare up or subside from one day to the next.  Frequently it is not realised that eczema is not contagious.

Causes

Whilst the cause of Eczema is unknown it is often found that children’s Eczema can flare up when a child:

• Gets too hot.
• Feels high stress.
• Has been exposed to food they may be allergic to.
• Comes into contact with chemicals such as soaps, bubbles or specific garments.
• Is exposed to dust mites of animal fur.

Treatment

Whilst Eczema is chronic and cannot be cured here are some things that can be done to control the child’s symptoms:

• Applying moisturizing cream and oils regularly can help the skin from getting dry.
• Keeping your child’s nails short to avoid scratching.
• Applying wet cool dressings to reduce itchiness.
• Avoiding your child overheating through applying thin cotton layers of clothing, using cotton blankets instead of woolen doonas and bathing your child in a cool bath.
• Avoiding skin irritants.
• Cortisone cream may be necessary and will be prescribed by your doctor if required.
• On some occasions, patches of eczema may get infected and your child may require antibiotics.