Although a great deal of research has failed to discover the reason why eczema affects some people and not others it is clear that the immune system is involved. Something external must trigger the allergic reaction that leads to the symptoms that we all recognize in this skin complaint. Baby eczema is a rash seen on their face which gradually gets worse unless treated, eventually becoming causing cracking and flaking. In America the situation is serious with a baby having a one in five chance (approximately) of being diagnosed with this skin condition.

With most babies, this skin complaint has all but cleared up by the time they are 24 months old. However, in a small number of cases, the condition doesn’t clear and becomes a chronic condition which may even carry on into adulthood. Although many believe the condition only starts in childhood, this is only partially true, Sufferers have generally had the condition since before their fifth birthday and almost a third of sufferers before they were a year old.

Seen as a red, itchy and scaly rash, baby eczema is usually of the more common atopic eczema variety. Strangely, atopic eczema is also hereditary and often starts when the baby’s skin is not moisturized regularly. Often the trigger mechanism is either the detergent or fabric conditioner used to wash the baby’s clothes and this can also be the trigger for the condition in adults as well. It has also discovered that baby eczema was more likely if the mother gave up breastfeeding early which could mean that breast milk may contain something that protects the infant.

However, other problems the baby might have including those of a respiratory nature or an associated medical condition could also act as an asthma trigger. It has also been found that if the baby’s mother has asthma, they are more prone to suffer with this condition but other contributing elements include food allergies and allergic rhinitis. Specialists in food allergies believe that up to 3 cases in ten of childhood cases are because the child has a food allergy,discovering the foodstuffs responsible should be a relatively simple matter, which once this is done, can be removed from the diet completely. Although the process of diagnosing which food is responsible is often a case of trial an error, there are some that are often found as the cause including:

Sea and freshwater fishMilk Products with milk as an ingredientProducts using wheat as an ingredientEggsAny meals or candy etc.

Physicians are also aware that baby eczema can also be caused when the child is given antibiotics after their birth. Treating babies requires a little more thought as they cannot tell us what irritates them so only bath them in lukewarm water and use fragrance free, hypoallergenic creams.To ensure they are comfortable they only dressed in natural cotton clothing once they have been bathed. Wearing mittens is one way to stop a baby scratching their inflamed skin, which could lead to infection, or their nails could be kept short. Often in more severe cases of baby eczema, a pediatrician may prescribe antihistamines to relieve itching,the application of a steroid cream for a limited time to help heal the skin quicker may also be used. Conquering this condition is proving to be complicated but at least some relief is obtainable from the products we have to hand right now.