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. This skin complaint is usually triggered by an adverse reaction to a substance, foodstuff or chemical etc. Baby eczema is first noticed as a reddish scaly rash on the baby's face which gradually worsens to the point where it becomes irritated and cracked. In babies, the disorder unfortunately affects between ten and twenty percent of all infants in the United States.
In the majority of these cases, the condition resolves by the time they reach two years of age. For a small number of children this skin complaint does not disappear when they are young but continues into adulthood. Although many believe the condition only starts in childhood, this is only partially true; it is just more common in babies and infants. 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. Atopic eczema often runs in families, and can be triggered when a baby's skin isn't moisturized properly. A baby's skin is much more sensitive and it is not uncommon for washing powders and softeners to trigger an attack. Some recent research has indicated that baby eczema may caused by babies that are weaned early so breastfeeding for a longer period be beneficial.
Other medical conditions, such as respiratory infections, may also act as triggers. Studies have also shown that it may be more common in those infants who suffer from allergic rhinitis or food allergies, or whose mothers suffer from asthma. In fact almost a third of all childhood cases are thought to be as a result of a food allergy; once the foodstuff causing the problem is discovered, it is just a simple matter of taking out of the child's meals. Unfortunately, the process of eliminating foods is usually one of trial and error; some commonly implicated foods are:
* Fish from either freshwater or the sea
* Products with milk as an ingredient
* Bread
* Products containing eggs
* Any meals or candy etc. that contain peanuts
The treatment with babies involves bathing in lukewarm water, and proper skin lubrication with hypoallergenic creams. Once out of the bath they need to be dried off carefully and then clothed in a soft natural cotton fabric which should prevent irritation. The best way to stop a baby scratching and causing further infection is to keep their nails short and make sure they wear mittens. Often in more severe cases of baby eczema, a pediatrician may prescribe antihistamines to relieve itching; steroid creams can also be used for a short period to help heal the skin. Conquering this condition is proving to be complicated but at least some relief is obtainable from the products we have to hand right now.
Article Source: http://www.alltopinfo.com
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