Atopic Dermatitis in Infants – What Is Infant Eczema and What You Can Do About It
Author: Audrey Lynn
For parents of a baby with eczema, or atopic dermatitis in infants, it can be very frustrating and challenging. Parents may feel they are caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. On the one hand a parent does not want to see his or her baby suffer with atopic dermatitis in infants, yet on the other hand some of the medical treatments may bring side effects to the baby. There is hope, however, for parents in this position to find a safe and natural alternative to cure their baby’s eczema. If you are one of the many parents seeking to know a little more about atopic dermatitis in infants, then this article should provide a practical start.
It is important to distinguish just what atopic dermatitis in infants is, and what it is not. Atopic dermatitis in infants, or eczema, is not a disease caused by virus or bacteria; it is a skin disorder. It can be most likened to an allergic reaction, as it is a hypersensitivity reaction in the skin, which causes the inflammation in the skin. In fact, those with a family history of hay fever or asthma have a higher likelihood of having eczema.
Atopic dermatitis in infants generally presents around a baby’s cheeks, elbows and knees. The common symptoms include redness, rash, blisters, dry leathery areas and intense itching. The disorder can be quite uncomfortable for those who suffer, and also very frustrating for parents who may feel helpless. If not properly treated, eczema in infants can lead to bacterial infections, as well as permanent scars from the itching.
Is there any treatment for atopic dermatitis in infants?
There are certain things the parents can do to help their baby. The most recommended is breastfeeding. It is reported that babies who are breastfed are less likely to have eczema flareups; however, the mother should avoid cow’s milk or any food which might cause allergies while breastfeeding.
Since eczema is not unlike an allergic reaction, certain triggers should be avoided. Stress is a very large contributor to eczema, and babies pick up quite well on the emotions of those around them. Irritants in the environment can also trigger eczema. Some common environmental irritants are household dust, pet dander and cigarette smoke. Other triggers may include things such as sudden temperature change, certain fabrics, certain body soaps or laundry detergents and moisture.
Just as there are triggers to avoid, there are some recommended practices for babies suffering from eczema. For instance, keep contact with water brief when bathing, and lock moisture in the skin by applying a lubricating cream on the skin. Keep in mind that temperature changes can trigger eczema, so all of this should be done with as much consideration of this as possible.
Parents of babies with eczema know how defeating it can be. There are always going to be the unavoidable triggers and things that make the condition worse. A parent can take solace though that there is a safe and natural cure for atopic dermatitis in infants to be had; he or she just needs to be diligent.
use A&D ointment.
Can I use Benadryl cream on my infant’s face for a rash? I think it is an allergy to wettness from saliva?
go and see da doctor. that is all you need. anyway she maybe allergic to milk
eczema, rash, or milk allergy?
My 4 week has finally got over the baby acne, but something wierd is happening. The skin seems to be irritated, dry, and patchy looking with some rashes behind the ears, on the chest, and neck. He’s been getting milk based infant formula once a day for about a week now. Could It be a milk allergy?
I’m worried about the bumps on my daughter’s arms… Excema? Allergy? Rash? Virus?
My baby has just turned 7 mos and for 1 1/2 – 2 weeks she has had these little flesh colored bumps on her arm. They may be red or pink but her skin is a caramel color so I couldn’t tell if I tried. They started on the lower part of her arm on just one side I think. Then they moved to cover a lot of her lower arms and now they’re above her elbow. They’re small and almost pimple like but it doesn’t look pussy at all. I think it may bother her but I’m just not sure. She seems fussier lately but we don’t know if it’s teething or her want to crawl/move around. I have seen her rub/scratch them once. We took her to the pedi friday but we didn’t get to see HER pedi. She said they looked like they were just “chicken skin”- bumps around hair follicles. My husband and I refuse to believe that, it doesn’t “fit”, you know? Nothing new. I am drinking milk now- i kept off it since pregnancy because i would throw it up. I recently read about an infant staph infection… scary stuff!
Can you help us?
Not that I think it might be a staph infection but who knows! I don’t want to wind up w/ something that should have been treated earlier! Like I said- nothing new like detergents, soaps, foods (she had only rice cereal for the first time yesterday) and we did put some sunblock on her for the first time last week but i think it was AFTER the bumps started and it was by Aveeno and we use Aveeno products for her already.
I already saw her pedi (pediatrician/doctor)- see, i wrote it up there in my original question……..
i was wondering if anyone could relate any knowledge about this……….???? we”re going BACK to see HER doc.
Eczema *is* a rash, and it is often caused by milk allergy. So it’s probably all three. Eliminate the dairy from baby’s diet (and yours, as well–now that baby is sensitized, *you* probably can’t eat it any more either) for at least 2 weeks and see if it goes away.
Infant with bad cradle cap and rash–No help from pediatrician.?
My 5 month old has a bad case of cradle cap which I can not get rid of. I use baby oil, cradle cap shampoo and so on but it will not go away. SHe also breaks out in a rash on different places on her body (fine raised bumps). I use hydro cortisone cream for it and it will go away some but return later. I think it could be an allergy but the doc says no its normal. She has rough places behind her ears also, but is not fussy. I have cut out all cereal and some foods trying to see what could be doing it and nothing helps yet. I use dreft detergent. SHe also keeps a stuffy nose constantly. I think it could be a milk allergy since she is formula fed but again both peds say no because she is not fussy and her bowels are normal. I am so frustrated I do not know what else to do.
How can you tell if it’s a food allergy in an infant?
Every time I feed my daughter bananas or peaches she develops a red patch on her left temple that eventually dissipates when she is finished eating (about 5-10 min later). I asked my pediatrician about this and he said not to worry if she is having no other effects such as swelling of the tongue, diaper rash, etc. Has anyone else experienced this with their baby? Does it eventually go away? My daughter has been eating some solids for two months now (she is 6 mths) and I didn’t notice this red patch during the “trial” days of these foods. Please help!
Has anyone experienced a bad skin reaction or allergy to tagless clothing?
My infant primarily wears tagless shirts and has developed a persistant contact rash where his skin touches the tagless print. Has anyone else had a similar experience with tagless clothing? Does anyone know what materials are found in the tagless print (latex or some other allergen)?
Tagless or with tags, it makes me crazy. I found a soft adhesive tape(for injuries) and place it over the place. I’m sure it’s the ink, but I’ve had exema all my life, so it could be that too.
Otherwise, I cut all tags out of my clothes! They make me itch and cause small irritations.