MM Eczema
With up to a fifth of all children suffering from eczema at some stage in their lives, it’s a good idea to be prepared! Here are five things you may not know about childhood eczema…
Itchyand scratchy Signs and symptoms can vary
widely during the early phases In babies, atopic eczema first presents as a rash on the cheeks. In many cases it will then spread to the face, neck and nappy area, but can also appear on the arms and legs. In toddlers, the rash is usually concentrated in the skin folds on the backs of the knees and on the wrists and ankles. The skin in these areas then becomes dry, flaky and inflamed and, in very severe cases, will become raw and broken. For this reason, good hygiene and regular cleaning of the area is essential to ensure that it does not become infected.
There are different types
of eczema Atopic (allergic) eczema is the most common form which usually occurs in children and may run in the family. It's often associated with hay fever and asthma and appears to be very much on the increase. Contact eczema, which is also known as
contact dermatitis, is a localised and temporary allergic response to an irritant, which seborrhoaeic eczema tends to occur when there is an overproduction of the skin's natural oils. Atopic eczema can vary in severity, with
some children only experiencing mild symptoms such as dry, itchy skin. For others, however, the situation can be much more severe and distressing. In these children the itch will be intense and the skin will crack and bleed.
Eczema cannot – unfortunately
– be prevented Healthcare professionals are of the opinion that eczema is inherited, so there’s no way
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to prevent it from occurring. There are, however, specific triggers that may tend to make it flare up and it is possible to avoid these. The main triggers are believed to be:
• Pollen • Mould • Dust • Animal hair • Dry winter air with little moisture • Certain harsh soaps and detergents • Some foods – in particular acidic foods like tomatoes and dairy foods • Emotional stress
The treatment for eczema is varied Topical corticosteroids – also known as steroid creams – are commonly used to treat eczema. These are called ‘topical’ because they are applied directly to the affected area of the skin. Doctors usually prescribe steroid creams
to relieve inflammation, and anti- histamines and antibiotics to control the itching and possible infection. Obviously one of the key factors in
treating your child’s eczema is to keep his or her skin as moisturised as possible. An excellent range of aqueous creams and emollients, which are available from pharmacists, will help to fight the itch, replenish the oils in your child’s skin, and provide a barrier against irritating substances.
The psychological impact can
be distressing for a child Studies have shown that atopic eczema causes considerable distress for both children and their parents. For schoolchildren, problems include time
away from school, impaired performance because of sleep deprivation, social restrictions, teasing and bullying. Atopic eczema can also be associated with poor self image and lack of self confidence, and both of these issues can impair social development. Children with atopic eczema are often
more irritable and uncomfortable than unaffected children because of their skin condition and this can directly affect their behaviour. Sleep disturbance is very common among young children with eczema and many parents find it very difficult to cope with repeated nights of broken sleep.
Practical tips
• If your child is scratching, try to distract them. Try drawing up a reward chart to help them resist the urge.
• Natural fabrics - cotton in particular - can be very beneficial as these will allow your child's skin to breathe.
• Keep your child’s bedroom cool at night as heat can agitate the itch. Cotton bed linen will also help and it's a good idea to wash this at 60° with detergent.
• Use non-biological washing powder and avoid bubble bath and soap, as all of these are inclined to irritate the skin. Bubble bath, in particular, often dries the skin, which will cause flare-ups.
• If your child is only a baby, use cotton scratch mittens at night so that he or she doesn't scratch their skin while in their cot.
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