Eczema in toddler is a skin rash disorder affecting mainly toddlers. The condition is also known as atopic dermatitis and appears on the scalp and cheeks of the toddler. On older children it first shows up in the ankles, backs of the knees, wrists and insides of the elbow. However, with time it may spread to the chest, arms, legs and other body parts.
The symptoms in eczema are usually thickened rashes and dry making the skin look scaly. The rashes are usually tiny red bumps; they usually ooze or get infected when scratched. Unlike other skin diseases the condition is not contagious but is quite itchy. Eczema is diagnosed by a dermatologist who extensively examines the toddler’s skin.
There are several causes of eczema in toddlers; it may be through allergic tendency mainly through inheritance from close family members. The condition itself is not an allergic reaction to a particular substance but comes as a result of other irritants and allergens in an environment. Furthermore in rare cases the condition can be triggered by allergens in the breast milk of the mother.
The common irritants triggering eczema are heat and chemicals in baby soaps, baby jelly and also the changes in environmental temperature. It is advisable for mothers to avoid environments that would trigger the condition like the smoking zones. It is important for mothers to learn the health tips for taking care of the baby’s skin. To reduce the chances of contacting eczema the toddler’s skin should be bathed and moisturized. The skin should be washed daily with lukewarm water other than too warm water; too warm water dries the skin fast.
The best soap to use is the mild soaps; the baby should not sit on the soapy water so shampooing the baby is important. After washing the baby, a soft towel should be used to dry the excess water by patting rather than rubbing hard. For toddlers with eczema, apply cream or an ointment on the dump baby’s skin as they are emollient and have less water compared to lotions.
The toddler’s skin should be allowed to stay cool and breathe by dressing the baby with natural fabrics clothing like cotton. Wool clothing usually irritates the toddler’s sensitive skin. Scratchy material clothing should be avoided and overheating the baby with heavy clothes. The baby’s clothes should be washed with mild and fragrance free detergents; fabric softeners should be avoided.
The baby should be restricted from scratching the rashes by keeping its nails short. Even though scratching, may relief the itch it makes the condition worse by inflaming the skin. Eczema has no known cure as researchers are still going on with the infection’s researches. However, there are treatment options that reduce the itching. Topical corticosteroids usually help in reducing the skin’s inflammation. Antibiotics can be also be medicated as well as anti-histamines that reduces itching and induces sleep. The diet of the infected baby should also be doctor prescribed. Allergy testing should also be done to establish triggers so that they can be avoided.