Understanding Eczema in Children
What is eczema?
There are several types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, also known as “cradle cap” in infants, are the most common types that affect children. Eczema, especially atopic dermatitis, often appears in the first six months to 5 years of a child’s life.
Eczema is not contagious. You can’t “catch it” from someone else.
For most types of eczema, managing flares comes down to these basics:
- Know your child’s particular triggers to avoid exposure
- Implement a daily bathing and moisturizing routine to protect skin and lock in moisture
- Use OTC and prescription medication consistently and as prescribed to curb symptoms
There is no cure for eczema but there are treatments and more are coming. These include over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, prescription topical medications, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants.
Eczema, especially atopic dermatitis (AD), may look and act very differently as your child gets older. It’s important to understand which type of eczema they may have and also their symptoms and triggers so that you can better treat and manage it as they grow and change. The only way to be sure what type of eczema your child has is to make an appointment with your doctor.
Why did my child develop eczema?
The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Researchers do know that children who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When something outside the body “switches on” the immune system, skin cells don’t behave as they should causing flare ups.
We also know that children who come from families with a history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or hay fever (known as the atopic triad) are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
Is eczema different for infants or toddlers, than it is for older children?
Eczema looks and acts differently in infants and toddlers than it does in older children. The location and appearance of eczema changes as they grow, so it’s important to know what to look for during every stage of your infant or toddler’s life.
Infants (first 6 months)
Eczema usually appears on the face, cheeks, chin, forehead and scalp. It can also spread to other areas of the body, but not usually in the diaper area, where moisture protects the skin. The skin at this stage also tends to look more red and “weepy.”
Babies (6-12 months)
At this stage, eczema often appears on your baby’s elbows and knees — places that are easy to scratch or rub as they’re crawling. If the eczema rash becomes infected, it may form a yellow crust, or very small, “pus bumps” on the skin.
Toddlers (2-5 years)
Around the age of two, your toddler’s eczema is more likely to appear in the creases of the elbows and knees, or on their wrists, ankles and hands. It may also appear on the skin around your toddler’s mouth and the eyelids. Your toddler’s skin may start to look dry and scaly at this stage and become thick with deeper lines — this is called “lichenification.”
Children (5 years+)
Eczema usually appears in the folds of the elbows and/or knees. Sometimes, it’s only on a child’s hands — at least 70% of people have had hand eczema at some time in their life. Redness and itchy patches behind your child’s ears, on their feet or scalp, may also be a sign of atopic dermatitis. But these could also be symptoms of another condition, like seborrheic dermatitis, which can exist with eczema.
What triggers my child’s eczema or causes it to get worse?
Some of the most common eczema triggers include:
- Dry skin
- Heat and sweating
- Allergens such as pet dander, pollen or dust
Your child’s eczema may be worse in the winter when the air is dry. Saliva from drooling can also cause irritation on your baby’s cheeks, chin and neck.
The best way to manage your child’s eczema is by getting to know their symptoms and triggers so that you can help keep it under control.
What’s the difference between eczema and atopic dermatitis in children?
Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become dry, itchy and inflamed. Dermatitis – literal meaning: skin inflammation – is another word for eczema.
Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common types of eczema, affecting 13% of all children under the age of 18 in the United States. Atopic dermatitis is considered a chronic, inflammatory condition that is a result of an overactive immune system response to triggers inside and outside the body.