Childhood Eczema: 4 Tips to Help Your Child Feel Better

Eczema is a common skin condition that causes patches of irritated skin that may be dry, itchy, bumpy, or red. About 15 million people in the U.S. experience eczema and it occurs most often in young kids. About one in every 10 children will develop eczema.

Eczema is uncomfortable for anyone, but especially for infants and kids. The good news is that you can help your child manage their eczema flare-ups. Here are a few tips you can use to help your child feel better when their skin becomes dry, itchy, and flaky.

Keep your child’s skin moisturized

Skin needs to be moisturized between two to three times a day. Topical moisturizers can help to fight back against dry, itchy skin. Apply moisturizer to your child’s skin after they take a bath or shower.

Ointments such as petroleum jelly are thicker than lotion and can help to keep your child’s skin moisturized while they sleep. If you’re not sure which ointments or creams are best for your child, talk to your child’s pediatrician.

Use hypoallergenic sheets

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Clothes and bed sheets made with hypoallergenic materials are best for your child’s skin because they’re less likely to cause irritation. Alpaca fibers, which measure 50 N/ktex, are especially great when you’re looking for hypoallergenic fleece. Alpaca wool is considered softer than traditional wool and it doesn’t contain lanolin, which is natural to sheep.

Maintain comfortable temperatures and humidity

Dry air can be a major cause of eczema flare-ups, especially during the winter months. But the summer can also cause issues for your child’s skin. Overheating and sweating can cause dry skin because sweat contains sodium, urea, lactate, and other minerals. Make sure to maintain a comfortable humidity and temperature throughout your home to keep your child’s skin (and your own) happy and healthy.

Keep your child’s nails short

When your child’s skin itches, their first instinct is to scratch the itch. If your child’s nails are long and sharp, their itching can make their eczema even worse. Keep your child’s nails short and smooth to avoid further skin damage. Additionally, you can help your child fight their eczema itch with ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams, and corticosteroid creams.

Eczema can be frustrating to deal with, especially for kids. By following the tips above, you can help your child feel better by managing their eczema flare-ups.