Reielites

“The symptoms of childrens eczema are well known to the many people who have suffered this condition or known someone afflicted with this form of dermatitis. It appears as a rash. The skin is red and usually rough or scaly. It may even ooze and the person presenting these symptoms usually has the strong desire to itch the surface of the irritation. Children prone to this condition typically manifest it before they turn five years old. It can even appear in infancy.

Diagnosis

It is important not to mistake this skin affliction for some other rash with a different cause. Psoriasis and heat rash are occasionally mistaken for eczema. Doctors can verify that the underlying cause is eczema by considering the timing of the rash, the pattern of its flare ups and the reaction of the patient and the patient’s body. The typical locations for this rash are on the forehead, the cheeks and at any of the locations on the body that have creases or folds, such as at the elbow or the knee.

Prevention

Since there is no real cure for childrens eczema and many treatments can cause discomfort, the best thing to do is to prevent outbreaks as much as possible. Many things are considered to be triggers of eczema flare-ups. These include certain soaps, harsh fabrics such as polyester or wool, dust mites, overheating, food allergies and dehydration. For this reason, it is important to remain aware of your child’s environment at all times. He or she should not be overdressed, should drink plenty of water and keep skin moisturized.

To maintain the proper balance between dry skin and over moisturizing, give the child daily baths in tepid water. Either avoid soap or use a very mild brand that you know will not have an adverse effect on his or her skin. Always apply moisturizer after drying him or her with a soft towel.

Treatment

Inevitably, no matter how careful you or your children are, the eczema will flare up. There are three primary ways to respond to these incidents. These include topical applications as well as drugs.

” Topical steroid applications are available in pharmacies as over-the-counter products. You have an assortment from which to choose. They vary in strength. However, these products can also have side effects which may be worse than the eczema, particularly if they are used too long. Never apply these steroids to your child’s face or under diapers or other tight-fitting applications.
” There are now available other topical medications which do not include steroids in their ingredients. They are called immunomodulators. They are recommended for children above the age of two. Remarkably, they can actually deter a severe flare up if they are applied at the first sign of a recurrence.
” Antihistamines are also helpful. Most of all, products containing antihistamines can help your child sleep when the itching is bad. This is important because childrens eczema will only become more irritating if you and your child are also deprived of sleep.”