Do children also get Eczema?

Eczema is one of the most common complaints of childhood. It shows up in many forms; as cradle cap in newborns, as nappy rash, and even as a long lasting allergy called Atopic Dermatitis. While most children automatically outgrow the milder forms of Eczema, for some children the association with Eczema tends to be life long. 

In a mild form, Eczema first appears in infants as Cradle Cap, which can be seen as dead skin on an infant’s head. The dead skin often sheds as scales. The skin washes off with a mild baby shampoo and also on application of oils such as olive oil. Sometimes the rash might spread on the forehead and also affect the diaper area. It appears as a red rash and is called “infantile Seborrhoeic dermatitis”. Although it is not very pretty to look at, cradle cap usually does not cause much discomfort to the child and wears off after a few months. 

The other common form of Eczema in children is a Nappy Rash. A wet napkin rubbing against the baby’s tender skin causes this. It can be avoided by changing the baby’s nappies frequently and also by using good quality super absorbent cotton diapers. 

Some children have an inbuilt tendency to develop Eczema, starting with the age of three to six months. It is a common skin complaint that affects the cheeks, forehead, knees and the hollows of the arms and legs of small children. These kids usually suffer from a kind of Eczema known as Atopic Eczema (for more on the subject see What is Atopic Eczema?). Atopic Eczema is very itchy and it generally runs in families where it is seen along with other allergies like hay fever and asthma. These children have an overactive immune system that gets easily triggered off by dust, pollen or harmless fur. Keeping the house free of dust mites, and keeping it cool and well ventilated might help the child. These children may also be very sensitive to certain food like nuts, or cow’s milk. Keep a regular diary of what the child has eaten every day and eliminate any food that you think may be causing the rash. 

                                                                         Children with Eczema
 

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