On this page you will learn how to treat babys eczema. Eczema often appears as red, scaly, itchy blotches on your baby's face, though it can also originate and spread to any part of the body. Eczema can also appear as tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, and become infected.http://www.babycenter.com/0_eczema_10872.bc Your child may scratch their eczema, and this can cause the patch to bleed. Scientists are undecided about what may cause eczema. Some evidence shows that there is a hereditary link while other data shows that eczema can be linked to allergens in your child's diet or surrounding environment. About 20% of infants have eczema. Cases can continue into adulthood, as some people are prone to life-long recurrent cases of eczema.http://www.babycenter.com/0_eczema_10872.bc

Clearing your child of eczema can range from easy to hard depending on severity of your baby's case. Some eczema rashes will clear up on their own in a few days, while some cases will stubbornly last for years. Before you get started, you should consult with your physician about your child's skin. They can help you put together a plan to help eradicate your child's eczema.

When your child's skin becomes too dry, a case of eczema can result. In addition, if your child already suffers form eczema, extra care should be taken to moisturize their skin to prevent recurrence or worsening of their condition. The following steps will help keep your child's skin from becoming too dry:

• Avoid bathing your child in water that is too warm. Lukewarm water will suffice for a small child and prevent the drying effects that accompany too-warm or hot water.http://www.babycenter.com/0_eczema_10872.bc
• Aim for short, frequent baths.
• Moisturize your child's skin every day with a soothing lotion made for infants. Pay special attention to any areas that appear dry, have already developed eczema, or areas that may be irritated by clothing.
• Look into buying special eczema emollient creams or baths instead of soap. Soap can often over dry a baby's skin, making their eczema worse.http://www.familyresource.com/health/skin-care/your-baby-and-eczema

Eczema can be an uncomfortable condition for the entire family. Baby's will often awaken during the night, uncomfortable from their itchy skin and require bathing or extra lotion. Fortunately, you can lessen their discomfort by keeping their skin from becoming too dry.

In treating or preventing eczema, you should avoid the following skin irritants:

1. Excessive rubbing from cloth. You're child's toys, clothes, and bedding should be made of soft, non-abrasive materials.
2. Moisture such as saliva, milk, sweat, urine, or nasal secretions. When a child's skin is wet and rubs continuously up against another object such as a diaper or tight fitting clothing, the skin can become raw and exasperate or cause eczema. Keep your child's skin clean and dry.
3. Dog or cat dander. Some evidence has shown that allergens in a child's environmental can cause eczema.
4. Certain soaps or detergents. Use fragrance-free and color-free detergents and soaps to avoid irritating your child's skin. All infants should be assumed to have sensitive skin.
5. Allergens in a breastfeeding mother's diet. Since allergens can pass through breast milk, mothers may want to try and cut out common allergens from their own diets including dairy, peanuts, shellfish, and soy.
6. Cigarette Smoke
7. Overheatinghttp://www.drgreene.com/qa/eczema-causes-and-treatments

If you have eliminated all of the preceding common skin irritants, you should consult with your family's pediatrician to evaluate what else may be contributing to your child's eczema. Sometimes, the cause may be entirely hereditary and not due to any environmental stressor.

The following treatments are sometimes recommended by family pediatricians to lessen the effects of eczema:

1. One study found that bathing children 6 months of age or older in diluted bleach baths (1/2 cup bleach per standard full standard-sized tub for 5-10 minutes, 2 times a week was more effective than just plain water.http://www.babycenter.com/0_eczema_10872.bc Consult your child's peditrician before trying this.
2. Rinse your baby off after their bath to wash off the soap residue
3. Rapid changes in temperature can cause eczema to worsen. Prevent this by transitioning your child to different temperatures slowly.
4. Prevent your baby from scratching. Scratching will only inflame the eczema and make it worse. You can easily find sleep mittens online and in baby stores that prevent your child from scratching their face with their growing nails.
5. Dress your child in breathable fabrics.
6. To sooth the itchy feeling of eczema, you can apply a cool compress a few times a day for a few minutes at a time. Make sure that the compress is not too cold, as this can further irritate skin.http://www.babycenter.com/0_eczema_10872.bc?page=2
7. Use soft sheets in your baby's bed. Baby's will often seek comfort by rubbing their eczema rash against the sheets of their bed. The smoother and softer the sheets, the less irritating this will be to the eczema.

This Mahalo How To Article is not meant to diagnose nor treat any condition. If you have concerns about your child's health, please consult with their pediatrician.