Related concepts:

Atopic dermatitis, Baby eczema

Introduction to eczema:

A rash on your baby's face might seem almost invisible to you, so shining is her beauty that lies beneath. Or you might wonder if the rash is all people see when they look at your darling little girl.

Either way, this rash is uncomfortable for her. It itches. Will it be there forever? What can be done now?

What is eczema?

Technically, the word eczema is a general term, referring to a broad range of red, itchy rashes, including contact allergies such as poison oak. Usually, though, most people use eczema to mean a specific condition called atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions in children. Patches of sensitive skin flare-up in a rash in response to certain triggers. These triggers vary from child to child. Here is a list of common triggers to watch for:

• Rubbing or scratching the skin
• Excessive moisture, such as from saliva or milk
• Excessive dryness
• Overheating
• Cold air
• Common house dust
• Wool or other scratchy fabric
• Cow’s milk
• Wheat
• Soy
• Peanuts
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Dog or cat dander
• Cigarette smoke
• Clothes washed in an irritating detergent
• Soap

Atopic dermatitis can become a vicious cycle. Something irritates your child’s skin, making it red and inflamed. It itches. She rubs it. The skin becomes more inflamed. The outer protective layer of the skin is lost. The affected area is even more sensitive to irritants, and dries out easily. She continues to be exposed to whatever it was that triggered the episode in the first place. Even more rash develops. The cycle perpetuates itself.

Who gets eczema?

Babies are the most commonly affected. It usually starts before the first birthday (often when new foods are introduced), but it is not unusual to begin anytime up until kindergarten. Atopic dermatitis is most common in children who have family members with asthma, allergies, or atopic dermatitis.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

The rash most commonly begins on the cheeks. At first, the patches may look red and weepy, but over time, they tend to become thick, dry, and scaly. Patches in babies are also common on the neck, wrists, hands, and on the skin over the outside of the elbows or knees. In toddlers and older children, the necks, wrists, ankles, and the insides of the elbows and knees are the most common locations.

At every age, itching is common.