Caring For Kids With ECZEMA
As the parent or caregiver of a child with eczema, you understand the emotional pain and frustration it brings. It’s not just challenging for the child but also for you as you witness their distress, feeling powerless to ease their discomfort. There is currently no cure for eczema but many treatments are available to manage the symptoms. With a good regimen of bathing, moisturizing and medications (if needed), you can help your child be more comfortable.
Bathing
Children with eczema require special attention to their bathing routine to manage their skin condition effectively.
- Choose a mild, soap-free cleanser for bathing
- Never give your child a hot bath. Instead, use lukewarm water
- Keep bath times short, ideally around 5-10 minutes ; avoid prolonged baths or soaking in the tub
- Refrain from using products containing fragrances, parabens, and multiple additives
- Do not scrub the skin roughly or use of rough towels
Moisturizing the skin
Dry skin can lead to flare-ups of eczema. Therefore, moisturizing the child’s skin is of utmost importance .
- Apply moisturizer at least twice a day
- Moisturize the entire body immediately (within 3 minutes) after bathing while the skin of the child is still damp
- Moisturizing the skin right before bedtime may be particularly helpful in keeping the skin moist and reducing itching during sleep
- Ointments and creams work better than lotions. While its preferable to use a fragrance-free and additive-free moisturizer, remember, the best moisturizer is one that your child likes the feel of.
Clothing
Dealing with atopic dermatitis in children requires special attention to clothing choices to ensure comfort and minimize skin irritation
- Choose the right fabrics. Fabrics like cotton or cotton blends are gentle oncthe skin and allow proper air circulation, reducing the risk of irritation. On the other hand, synthetic materials like polyester tend to trap heat and moisture, potentially exacerbating skin issues.
- Opt for loose-fitting clothes to prevent rubbing and chafing
- Look for clothing with minimal seams and tags to minimize friction and irritation on sensitive skin
- Wash new clothes before use. Pick liquid detergents over powders. Rinse thoroughly to remove as much of the detergent from the clothing as possible.
Avoiding irritants and allergens
Children with eczema require careful attention to their environment to minimize exposure to potential allergens and irritants.
- Avoid lotions, soaps, or detergents with dyes and fragrances
- Get rid of known allergens in your household and help your child avoid others, like pollen, mold, and tobacco smoke. Don’t place carpets, rugs and stuffed toys in your child’s room and around the house and wash bedding in hot water once a fortnight or more.
- Consult your Dermatologist to do some special tests if you suspect a food allergy. Avoid removing multiple foods from your child’s diet as most aren’t causing true allergies. By eliminating multiple foods from your child’s diet, there is a risk of depriving them of a well- balanced nutritional intake.
Stop the itch
Itchy skin can lead to discomfort, sleep disturbances, and potential flare up of eczema symptoms. It is well known that in eczemas, itching begets scratching, which begets more itching, which in turn begets more scratching. Therefore, breaking this cycle of itch and scratch is of utmost importance.
- Wet, cool washcloth on irritated spots can ease the urge to scratch.
- Keep your child’s fingernails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Consider having your child wear cozy, lightweight gloves to bed if night time scratching becomes a concern
- Give your child an antihistamine prescribed by your child’s doctor to help with itching
Wet wrap therapy
What is it?
Wet wraps are bandaging techniques that rehydrate and calm the skin. Wet wraps also serve as an effective barrier to scratching and boost the effectiveness of topical medications.
How is it done?
Prepare two sets of bandages by measuring and cutting them before bathing. Prior to bandaging, ensure the skin is thoroughly moisturized by applying moisturizer to the entire body and face in a gentle downward motion. Dip the tubular bandage in lukewarm water, wring out excess water, and gently apply the warm, damp bandage to your child’s skin. Cover with dry tubular bandages, and finally, dress your child in
snug, cotton pajamas.A gauze or a cotton suit can be used an alternative.
- Wet wraps should be preferably used at night. However, they can also be used during the day if the eczema is severe
- The wet wrap therapy can be maintained from several hours to a day at a time
- Wet wraps can be used for a maximum duration of one week
Ease Their Stress
- Minimizing stress may be helpful in controlling the disease.
- Children dealing with eczema face an increased likelihood of encountering depression and anxiety. It is important to be vigilant for warning signs, such as social withdrawal, emotional outbursts, alterations in eating habits, or shifts in mood. Recognizing these signals can guide you in determining when to seek external assistance and support for your child.
As a parent, you play a crucial role in managing your child’s eczema. This guide provides valuable insights, but remember that each child is unique. Consult with your dermatologist for personalized advice and strategies tailored to your child’s specific needs.