Parents: Issues You May Face When Your Child Has Eczema [ March 3rd, 2010 ] Posted in » Uncategorized

Eczema Free Forever

If your child was recently diagnosed with eczema, also commonly known as atopic dermatitis, you have a long road ahead. Although eczema is easily treated at home, there are many hard issues that you, as a parent, will face.

Nighttime Itching

You might assume that nighttime itching is the same as daytime itching for children with eczema, but it can be very different, especially in small children. Although they do not fully understand the complications that can arise from constant scratching, children are aware of their actions during the day. On the other hand, many small children continue to scratch in the middle of the night, without even being aware of their actions. This type of eczema is difficult to treat, as you cannot spend every night grabbing your child’s arm before they itch.

To combat the nighttime itching that is common among children with eczema, look for doable alternatives. If dust is a trigger factor, keep your child’s room clean and dust-free. If sweat is a trigger factor, dress them in light clothes and keep their room a cool temperature. If you don’t know the cause, try to keep areas susceptible to itching, such as the arms and legs, covered.

Pain

An eczema outbreak starts out relatively pain free. It typically begins with a simple itch that can’t stop. Soon, your child may find themselves literally digging at their skin. They mistakenly believe this will make the itch go away, but it doesn’t and it only gets worse. Severe rashes and the open wounds caused by constant scratching can lead to pain and discomfort. No parent wants to see their child in pain. That is why you must stop it at the source. Work with your child and his or her doctor to determine your child’s trigger factors. These are what cause the uncontrollable urge to itch. In the meantime, keep your child’s skin well moisturized.

Concern from Other Parents

Although eczema and atopic dermatitis are common among small children, you are likely to get many stares on the playground. This is most common if your child’s eczema rashes can be seen by other parents. Although you should keep your child’s open wounds covered to prevent infection, don’t just cover them to please others.

“Is eczema contagious?” That is a common question that many parents may ask. Unfortunately, some parents don’t even ask, they may automatically assume it is. You and your child owe no one an explication, as eczema is nothing but an inflammation of the skin. However, you may want to spread the word. As heartbreaking as it is to see other parents and kids point out your child’s eczema rash, it is a normal reaction that most don’t know how to avoid.

These are just a few of the issues you may face as the parent of a child with eczema. Since your child is young and does not fully understand their skin condition, you must work with them to seek relief.

Dealing with Eczema: Your Treatment Options Reviewed

Eczema Free Forever

If you suffer from eczema, you want relief. In fact, you wanted it yesterday. Eczema has many different causes and, for that reason, you will find many treatment options. Although some treatments may prove unsuccessful for you, others are likely to work. So, when it comes to seeking relief, what are your options?

Eczema Treatments to Stop the Itch

Moisturizers. There are many trigger factors that bring on the itching that results in an eczema rash; however, dry skin is a common cause. We automatically want to touch and itch dry skin to provide relief, only some individuals can’t stop. The more moisturized your skin is, the less likely you are to scratch it. Keep the body moisturized throughout the day. Get started by locking in the moisture with lotions or creams immediately following a shower or bath.

Antihistamines. Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms, including rashes, hives, and itching. Since eczema involves constant itching of the skin, itch relief is felt with antihistamines. This type of eczema treatment is effective because, in a way, your skin is having an allergic reaction to something it came into contact to, whether it be makeup, perfume, or laundry detergent.

Eczema Treatment to Protect the Skin from Infection

Skin protectants. Skin protectors are used to describe a number of different products. A few good examples include petroleum jelly. Popular products used by eczema patients are Vaseline and Eucerin Aquaphor. They are healing ointments that protect irritated, cracked, and dry skin.

Eczema Treatments to Stop Skin Infections

Antibiotics. Most individuals can treat their eczema from home. In fact, you are encouraged to do so. However, eczema presents the risk of other complications, including skin infections. When a sufferer continues to itch and scratch, an open wound may form on the skin. If not treated, this sore is at risk for infection. If you suspect you have a skin infection, seek medical attention from a professional. To prevent the infection from getting worse, a medical professional will prescribe antibiotics.

Eczema treatments come in many formats, but the treatment options discussed are proven successful among many and are easy to implement. Don’t live with pain, discomfort, or embarrassment any longer. Seek relief today.

November 16th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Children Suffering From Eczema: Questions They May Ask

Eczema Free Forever

Many children suffer from eczema. Many are babies who are too young to realize what is going on and ask questions. Older kids, however, know. If you are a parent of a child with eczema, they are likely to have many questions. A few of these common questions and ideal answers are outlined below.

Question: What did I do wrong?

As a parent, it just breaks your heart when you hear this question. Although eczema impacts many children, your child may not see these other cases. They look at their friends and classmates and see children with normal skin. Many automatically and mistakenly assume they did something wrong, but they didn’t. Tell your child they have sensitive skin, as do many other children and adults. This sensitive skin is a known medical condition that happen to people of all ages; they did nothing wrong.

Question: When will it go away?

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Some children outgrow eczema by their early teens and others are plagued with it for life. You can’t give your child an answer. What you can discuss is ways to treat eczema and ensure they don’t scratch so that painful rashes and blisters are a thing of the past. Use this as an opportunity to educate your child on the importance of proper skin care. They need to stay away from certain things, such as pets and pet dander, that irritate their skin. They need to keep their body moisturized constantly, which they may be able to do themselves with lotions and creams.

Question: Can I make others sick too?

This is another heartbreaking question because it is one that doesn’t usually come from nowhere. Another child or parent may have asked about your child’s rash, blister-like sores, or scaly patches of skin. Once again, use this as an opportunity to educate your child. Not everyone knows about eczema and some people, even adults, mistakenly believe it is contagious. It is not. Your child can play freely with others.

Question: Can I still swim?

A key to avoiding eczema flare-ups is to take short showers or baths in lukewarm water. Long bubble baths filled with toys is dangerous for your child. Since they aren’t allowed to do so, they may wonder if they can swim. Of course they can.

November 9th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Parents: What You Need to Know About Baby Eczema

Eczema Free Forever

Eczema, also commonly referred to as atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that millions of Americans deal with. Included in those numbers could be your new baby. If you are the parent of a baby who was recently diagnosed as having eczema, you are likely to have many questions. Now is the time to get answers.

The Cause

There are many different causes for baby eczema. Eczema can be hereditary, meaning if someone in your family has it, your child may too. Although eczema is often compared to allergies, it is slightly different. Certain allergens, including food and airborne allergens can bring on an eczema outbreak. Another common cause is the chemicals found in laundry detergents and scented bath soaps.

The Treatment

In adults, there are many ways to treat eczema. There are ways to manage and treat baby eczema too, but they can be more difficult to implement. If you or a medical professional believes eczema flare-ups are caused by food, it can be difficult to change your baby’s diet if he or she is breastfed. Actually, you are the one who needs to temporarily watch what you eat.

As stated above, there are many causes for atopic dermatitis in babies. Two common causes are reactions to laundry detergents and soaps. These products can irritate a baby’s skin, since the skin is so sensitive at a young age. If you suspect these are causes, make changes. Laundry detergents for babies, those with low chemicals, or all-natural products are best. Scented bath products are great because they leave your baby smelling cute, but not if they irritate his or her skin. Instead, opt for organic on non-scented products.

You now know some of the most common causes and ways to treat baby eczema, but now what? There is good news. Atopic dermatitis affects individuals of all ages, but it is common in the early years of life. Luckily, most children outgrow it by their teens.

November 2nd, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Eczema Causes: Frequently Asked Questions

Eczema Free Forever

Those who suspect they have eczema often have many questions. Some of those questions are about the cause. Please continue reading on for a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.

Question: Did I do something wrong?
Answer: Eczema creates the uncontrollable urge to itch and scratch. The skin is irritated. Unfortunately, this can result in a larger red rash. That rash when itched more can turn into a patch of dry scaly skin or a blister-like sore that oozes. At this point in time, you may want to shout out “what did I do to deserve this?” The answer is nothing. Eczema is a common skin condition. Although you did nothing to cause eczema, there are steps you can take to treat it and prevent flare-ups. The easiest being keep your skin well moisturized.

Question: What is the cause of eczema?
Answer: There are many different causes. Eczema outbreaks and flare-ups happen to different people and for different reasons. Although there is no one cause for eczema, those with sensitive skin are prone. As for what can cause trigger a flare-up, it can be certain foods, certain chemicals, the weather, and stress even plays a role.

Question: Can I cure my eczema if I find the cause?
Answer: Not likely. While some individuals have one sole cause for eczema outbreaks and flare-ups, others have many. You may find yourself itching and scratching after sweating from the hot weather, after using scented body wash, or after drinking milk. Determining the cause of your uncontrollable itch and eliminating at a source will help, but you are still and may always be prone to episodes.

Question: Will my children develop eczema too?
Answer: Many adults wonder if they can pass eczema onto their children. Yes, you can. Medical professionals have determined that children with immediate family members who have atopic dermatitis are susceptible to the condition too. On that same note, there are many instances in which it is not passed down. In fact, some children develop and live with eczema, but have no prior family history.

Question: How can I treat eczema?
Answer: As stated above, there isn’t a known cause for eczema, but medical professionals are aware of trigger factors. These make eczema worse or cause a flare-up. In addition to keeping your body well moisturized, you can try to determine your trigger factors and avoid them. Keep a daily journal of your day. Document all the foods you eat, what activities you were doing, what products came into contact with your skin and so forth. Compare your journal to an outbreak.

October 25th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Dealing with Eczema and the Lifestyle Changes

Eczema Free Forever

If you suffer from eczema, you may have turned to the internet or asked your doctor about treatment options. There are many ways to treat eczema, but they aren’t one-time things. To successfully manage and deal with eczema, you must make important lifestyle changes. As hard as this sounds, it is key to living your life without constant eczema flare-ups.

What lifestyle changes may need to be made? Honestly, it all depends on what causes your skin irritation.

A common cause of eczema is certain foods. Many patients experience an outbreak after eating milk, eggs, wheat, seafood, and peanut butter. Other foods can be the cause too. Although the risk of atopic dermatitis is always present, you can significantly reduce the number of outbreaks and flare-ups you have by eliminating certain foods. Keep a journal to compare what you eat to when you have an outbreak. If you believe you found a culprit, work on eliminating these foods from your diet.

Here is where the lifestyle change comes in. Eliminating food from your diet? That may be okay if your trigger factor is seafood. Seafood tastes great, but isn’t a necessity. On the other hand, we all consume milks and eggs and on a regular basis. There are alternatives, but they taste different and will take some getting used to. You want to stop eczema outbreaks, but you are also making a lifestyle change. For that reason, take it slow. If you think milk is the culprit, don’t automatically eliminate it from your diet if you don’t want. Instead, slowly start replacing it with the alternatives.

In addition to foods, another cause of eczema flare-ups is exposure to certain airborne allergens. Some have experienced skin irritation when coming into contact with dust and pet dander. These too can lead to hard lifestyle changes. What if your parents have a dog? Of course, you don’t want to avoid seeing them, but discuss your eczema with them. You can meet outside of their home, avoid direct contact with their dog, and wear covering clothes when visiting.

Another way to successfully treat eczema is to make the switch to all-natural. Some individuals experience flare-ups after coming into contact with certain chemicals, like those found in scented laundry detergents and beauty products. Luckily, this switch is more easier to make. Get your body and skin back to its original state with natural and organic beauty products, foods, and literally anything else you can think of.

October 18th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

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