Unblemished and naturally smooth, most babies are born with perfectly flawless skin. However, when someone reaches the two- or three-month mark, eczema will erupt in patches of red, dry, flaky skin in prominent places: his face, behind his ears, on his scalp. Then the crud may head south to the creases of the elbow, behind his knees, and around his groin as well. There are also tiny pimples that can pop up, fill with fluid, and then burst. Ick!-Ick!
Welcome to the baby eczema nation. No, it’s not pretty, and yes, for your little one, it’s quite itchy, which may increase the fussy factor. The good news is that it is not infectious or harmful. Plus, it generally solves itself, if not you can just use a baby eczema cream.
It is possible to inherit eczema, so whether you or your partner have a history of allergies or eczema, this could be why your baby has eczema blues. But if biology isn’t the culprit, there are steps you can take to avoid eczema before it starts. Here’s what it takes you to remember.
Warding Off Eczema Naturally
- Babies don’t get that dirty, apart from the diaper field, so bathe your baby no more than three times a week. Keep the baths lukewarm and short, so that your tender skin does not dry out.
- Lock in moisture on your bathing beauty’s damp skin with a healthy slathering of a soft, hypoallergenic baby lotion when tub time is over. Later reapply (and a couple of times a day even on days you skip baths).
- To keep his skin super-hydrated, use a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s bedroom (often clean it to stop bacteria accumulation).
- Wash those itty-bitty baby clothes and bedding in a detergent for delicate skin optimized for washing. To get rid of detergent residue that can irritate the cutie’s complexion, set your washer for an additional rinse cycle.
- Beware of widespread food allergens that are associated with eczema breakouts. If you breastfeed, keep citrus fruits, cow’s milk, eggs, chocolate, and nuts to a minimum on your diet. Follow the suggestions of your paediatrician to introduce these foods to your baby and add them one at a time so that you can look for any allergic reaction.
- Be on patrol drool. Whenever you see it, gently wipe away the spittle (especially on his lips, chin, and neck) because excessive wetness can set off an outbreak of eczema.
- Instead of scratchy fabrics like wool, dress your baby in cotton (organic is an excellent choice for sensitive skin) and other soft, smooth clothes.
- Know that eczema can be caused by animal dander and saliva, so keep an eye out for baby eczema if you have a family pet. Do your best to keep Fido away from your baby if you think there’s a connection (and his clothes and out of his nursery).
If your sweetie comes down with a case of eczema despite your supermom’s efforts, keep his nails extra short, or cover those paws with baby mittens or socks so he can’t itch, which might spread the rash. Then, to make it easier, use these common-sense skin soothers and natural eczema remedies.
