Treating & Controlling Eczema in Children

Effective treatment strategies address the four componenets of eczema - dryness, itch, irritation and infection control. 

Target the DRYNESS.

With eczema, the skin barrier isn't holding in moisture. The skin is dry, cracked and irritated.  Give children a daily 5-10 minute luke warm bath or shower without the use of soap.  Instead use a gentle non-soap cleaner on sweaty parts of the body and hands and feet. Use only fragrance free hypoallergenic cleansers. Avoid scrubbing. Don't use bubblebath. Pat the skin dry with a soft towel and apply any topical medicines your doctor has prescribed. Apply moisturizer to the whole body after bathing while the skin is still damp. Ointments such as petroleum jelly or fragrance free moisturizing creams are good. Moisturize twice daily even when the eczema rash is not evident. Dress in soft fabrics and avoid use of fabric softners or dryer sheets. Avoid other irritants such as smoke, dust, wool or animal dander. 

Target the ITCH. 

Using gentle skin care as outline above is the first step. Prevent scratching by keeping fingernails short and clean and wearing cotton gloves if needed. Scratching the skin actually increases the itchiness. Wet wrapping after topical medicines and moisturizer helps also. Soak pajamas or onesie in warm water and wring them out. Put damp pajamas on the child underneath a pair of dry pajamas. Keep the child's room warm and cover them with a blanket. Keep the wet wrap on overnight or for at least one hour, then remove and reapply moisurizer. 

Target the IRRITATION. 

To help calm inflamation your child's doctor may recommend the use of medicine for the irritated area of skin. Steroid creams help heal irritated eczema rashes. These creams are safe and effective when used as directed. Typically, steroid creams are applied twice daily to the affected area when the rash is flared. Nonsteroidal creams can also be prescribed by your doctor. 

Target INFECTION. 

Bacteria and viruses exacerbate eczema rashes. Signs of infection are oozing, crusting, pus bumps, blisters and worsening rash not improving with typical treatments. Bleach baths 2-3x/week help prevent and heal skin infections. Using 1/2 cup of plain household bleach (unscented and NON splash proof varieties) in a full bath of luke warm water and allowing the child to soak for 10-15 minutes is effective. Rinse the dilute bleach water off at the end and gently pat dry and apply medicines to eczema areas and moisuizer all over. 

Maintenance.

You will know when to slow down with your treatments when the skin is smooth and no longer itchy.  It is common for the skin to be discolored after the flare heals. The skin color will slowly normalize over time. It is important to continue with gentle skin care and moistuizers daily to minimize future flares. Also, avoid triggers such as dust mites, fragrances heat and sweat, insect bites, pet dander, pollen, tobacco smoke, wool and synthetic fibers. Eczema triggers may be different for every child and your doctor may recommend allergy testing. Keep in mind that eczema may still flare despite your best efforts - patience and consistent skin care is most important.