Eczema in babies & children

 

Eczema is a condition which makes skin red, dry and itchy. Read on to find out more about this common condition.

What is eczema?

The most common type of eczema is called atopic eczema. ‘Atopic’ simply means sensitivity to allergens. The condition can affect people of any age, but it tends to be more common in children. Atopic conditions include eczema, hay fever, food allergies and asthma, and often run in families. If you have any of these conditions, your child is more likely to have eczema, but not all children whose parents have atopic conditions have eczema. 

Likewise, many children who have eczema do not have parents with atopic conditions. Sixty percent of children with atopic eczema have completely grown out of it by their teens.

Symptoms of eczema

Eczema can make the skin dry, cracked, sore, red and itchy. It can affect any part of the body, but in babies and children it's usually found on the hands, the inside of joints that bend (inside of elbows and back of knees), and the face and scalp. 

Scratching affected areas often makes them sore, more red, and they can occasionally bleed. If eczema is well controlled, children can have periods where the condition is barely noticeable. Flare-ups of eczema are periods where certain areas of affected skin are worse and symptoms are more noticeable and bothersome. 

Eczema can be diagnosed by your Doctor. Possible signs include:

  • Visibly irritated, dry, itchy, red skin in the areas described above, or a history of irritation in these areas
  • Generally dry skin over the last 12 months
  • A history of asthma or hay fever, or a brother, sister or parent with eczema, asthma or hay fever

Treatment of eczema

Eczema treatment relies upon the following principles:

Avoiding environmental irritation

This means avoiding triggers which may make eczema worse, such as certain detergents, some fabrics, or dietary triggers. Each person with eczema has different triggers, so it can be tricky to find out exactly which things are making the condition worse. Your Doctor may be able to advise a strategy to help find out what triggers your child has.

Avoiding scratching

For young children who scratch, particularly in their sleep, you can get mittens to cover their hands overnight. Keeping your child's nails short can also help them avoid scratching.

Moisturising with emollients regularly 

Keeping the skin well moisturised helps keep eczema under control. Even when children are going through periods where there eczema is hardly noticeable, evidence shows that continuing to use emollients daily helps to prevent flare-ups. There are many different emollients available, and they can be used all over the body. Ask your pharmacist which emollient is most suitable for your child.

Topical steroids

For flare-ups and particularly sore areas, your Doctor may prescribe topical steroids, which can be applied to the skin. These can help reduce the inflammation within a few days. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions and read the patient information leaflet which comes with the medicine.

When using topical steroids, you should continue using your child's regular emollient. You can apply the emollient first and wait around 30 minutes before applying the steroid, or apply the steroid at a different time of the day. Be sure to carry on using the topical steroid for 48 hours after the flare up has cleared.

See your Doctor if you find that you’re having to use the topical steroid frequently on your child, so they can review the treatment and check it’s working.

Complications of eczema

Eczema can leave the skin vulnerable to infection with bacteria or viruses, which means it requires slightly different treatment. Here's what to look out for:

Bacterial infection

If your child's eczema becomes oozy, develops a yellow crust or there are yellow or white spots in the affected areas, this can be a sign of bacterial infection. Other signs of bacterial infection include rapidly worsening eczema symptoms or a high temperature. If you think your child had a bacterial infection on top of their eczema, take them to see the Doctor. 

Eczema herpeticum

Most viruses do not affect eczema but the virus that causes cold sores (Herpes simplex) can cause a complication of eczema. This is called eczema herpeticum. If your child has blisters or sores in their eczema-prone areas, they have painful areas which are getting worse rapidly and they have a fever or feel unwell, contact your Doctor immediately. If you can't contact your Doctor in the day, take your child to your local A&E, as this is a potentially dangerous infection which needs prompt treatment.

Psychological factors

Eczema can be a difficult condition to manage and treat, and it causes stress for some children for a number of reasons. It can disrupt sleep due to itching or discomfort whilst having a flare-up. Unfortunately, eczema affects the self-confidence of some children. If you're concerned about the psychological impact of eczema on your child. You could also see your Doctor to discuss whether your child would benefit from some psychological support.

Next steps

  • See your Doctor if you suspect your child may have eczema
  • If your child is diagnosed with eczema, you should use emollients at least twice a day to help to maintain good control
  • Topical steroids can help in the management of flare-ups. Never use steroids prescribed for you on your children
  • Seek medical advice urgently if you suspect your child had a bacterial infection, or eczema herpeticum