Eczema
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin disorder that you
have all the time or that keeps coming back. The most
common symptom of eczema is dry, red, extremely itchy
patches on the skin.
The type of eczema that most children get is atopic
dermatitis. Atopic refers to an inherited tendency
for someone to develop an allergy to something; dermatitis
means that the skin (derma) is inflamed (-itis).
Symptoms of eczema
Main symptoms:
1. dry, red, extremely itchy
patches
• Eczema can look different
from child to child. But the main symptoms is dry,
red, extremely itchy patches on the skin. When the
child itches the patches, a rash may develop. That's
why eczema is sometimes called the itch that rashes.
2. keeps coming back
• If you child had a
rash that came and went-and didn't come back- it's
probably not eczema. Eczema is a condition that
gets worse at times (called flare-ups). Other times,
your child's skin may get much better or appear
to clear up completely (called remissions). Then
the rash comes back again....and again.
Your child may also have:
• scratch marks-because eczema is very, very
itchy
• redness- from the scratching
• swelling
• cracking
• weeping-a clear fluid that oozes out of
the skin
• crusting
• scaling
Does the location of
the rash matter?
Yes. While not true for all children
, the location of the rash can be a significant help
in your doctor identifying if your child has eczema:
• babies- the rash tends
to start on the face, elbows and knees (diaper area
is rare)
• children- the rash tends to be located in
the folds of the elbow and on the back of the knees
(less often you may find rashes on the scalp, hands,
feet and behind the ears)
When does eczema show up?
Scientists estimate that 65 percent of children
develop the symptoms in their first year of life,
and 90 percent develop symptoms before the age of
5. Eczema is rarely seen at birth, but it may begin
as early as six weeks of age.
Does eczema run in families?
Sometimes it does. Here's what we know:
• If you or your spouse have any form of atopic
disease such as eczema, hay fever or asthma, your
child's chances of having eczema are increased by
about 50 percent.
• If both you and your spouse have any form
of atopic disease, your child's chances increase
even more.
• However, 30 percent of the time, neither
parent has any kind of atopic disease.
What causes eczema?
While the exact causes are still unclear,
it appears to be a combination of the following factors:
1. genetics (inherited)
2. immune system malfunction
3. sensitivity to things in the child's environment
Could food allergies
be a cause?
No, food allergies don't cause eczema.
However, just like other things in the environment,
foods may trigger flare-ups. The most common allergy-causing
foods are:
• eggs
• milk
• peanuts
• wheat
• soy
• fish
Triggers
If your child has eczema, you may notice
that his rash flare-ups or worsens after contact with
the following:
• wool, synthetic and
other rough fibers
• friction from poorly fitting clothes
• bathing or showering for a long time in
hot water
• bathing or showering without immediately
moisturizing afterwards
• low humidity caused by air conditioners,
cold weather and dehumidifiers
• hot or overheated indoor areas
• alternately sweating and chilling
• dry weather
• skin infections
• cigarette smoke
• soaps and detergents
• dust mites
• animal dander or fur
• molds and pollens
• chlorine
• some perfumes and cosmetics
• dust and sand
My child's rash seems
to get worse when he's angry or upset. Is that possible?
Yes, that's not unusual for people
who have eczema. Years ago doctors mistakenly believed
that eczema was caused by an emotional disorder. We
now know that's not true. Emotional factors don't
cause eczema. However, emotional factors such as stress,
anger, and frustration may make your child's eczema
worse.
What does eczema feel
like to my child?
Itchy. Sometimes miserably itchy. During
a flare-up, it may be very hard for your child to
stop scratching. Unfortunately, continued scratching
makes the problem worse, and may lead to infection,
oozing and crusted sores that itch even more.
The extreme itchiness may sometimes prevent your child-and
you-from getting a good night sleep. And to complicate
things, your child will probably scratch his skin
while asleep and wake up with even itchier skin. To
help prevent your child from scratching his skin while
asleep, put soft, 100-percent cotton socks on his
hands at night.
Is eczema an allergy?
Eczema is not an allergy itself; however,
your child's skin may be over-sensitive to irritants
and allergens in the environment because of an over-reactive
immune system.
Will my child outgrow
eczema?
Fifty percent of children who have
eczema will outgrow it by the time they reach adolescence.
Go out and play
• Eczema is not contagious.
• Your child can't catch it from another child
who has eczema.
• Your child can't give it to another child
either.
How is eczema diagnosed?
Currently, there is no single test to diagnose eczema.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may need
to see your child several times, because:
• Symptoms vary in severity, worsen, and come
and go.
• Symptoms vary from child to child.
• Your doctor needs to rule out other conditions
or diseases that might be the cause of your child's
skin irritation.
Can eczema be cured?
While there are treatments for eczema;
currently, there's no cure. The two main goals for
treating your child's eczema are:
1. healing the skin
2. preventing future flare-ups
Are there medications
for treating eczema?
Yes, there are creams and ointments
available for treating eczema in children. These medicines
help to:
• control the inflammation
• reduce your child's immune system's over-reactive
response
• reduce flare-ups
• maintain your child's skin texture
Sleepless Nights
If your child cannot get to sleep because
of all the itching, talk to your doctor about suggesting
a sedating antihistamine. This will help reduce scratching
at night; so your child and you can get a good night's
sleep.
10 Ways to Ditch the
Itch
1. Give only lukewarm baths
2. Apply a lubricating moisturizer (cream or ointment)
within three minutes of your child getting out of
the tub.
3. Gently pat your child's dry skin dry or allow
to air dry; never rub.
4. Avoid frequent wetting and drying of your child's
skin.
5. Identify and remove irritants and allergens.
6. Keep your child's environment cool. Avoid areas
that are overheated and/or overly dry.
7. Select only soft fabrics when choosing clothing;
cotton is an excellent choice.
8. Wash all new clothes before wearing, and remove
all clothing tags.
9. Limit your child's exposure to dust, cigarette
smoke, pollens, and animal dander.
10. Wash all bedding at least every two weeks, and
always in hot water.
Skin Infections
Learn to recognize signs of skin infection
and seek treatment promptly.
Signs of skin infection typically include:
• pus-filled bumps
• oozing cracks or sores
• crusty yellow blisters
Trim your child's fingernails short
and ideally file smooth to help prevent skin damage
if he scratches.
The Asthma-Eczema Connection
More than 50 percent of infants and
children who are diagnosed with eczema also develop
asthma. If your child has wheezing, coughing, or shortness
of breath, tell your doctor.
All information provided by Healthy
Advice for Your Child © 2004 On Target Media,
LLC
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