A Parent’s Guide to Eczema
What is eczema?
The word eczema comes from the ancient Greek word “to boil over” and was originally used to refer to itchy rashes and herpes, but now it is often used to describe a red and extremely itchy inflammation of the skin. The most common type of eczema in children is hereditary allergic eczema, which is associated with asthma and cushings fever. atopic eczema” and “atopic dermatitis” refer to the same thing but should not be confused. Children with eczema are easily irritated and irritable because they have sensitive skin.
Why do our children have eczema?
Genetic allergic eczema is a genetic dysfunction that causes sensitive skin, often when other members of the family have eczema, asthma or cushings fever, but this is not necessarily a frequently seen condition and there are many external factors in daily affairs that can influence the cause of eczema.
When will my child’s eczema get better?
Your child’s sensitive skin tendencies may continue into adolescence. In any case, your child’s eczema will get better as he or she gets older. The age at which eczema stops is completely variable, but many children will show significant improvement by age 5, and most may have some occasional symptoms during adolescence. Only a small percentage will continue to have nasty eczema into adulthood.
Can eczema cause allergies?
No, eczema does not cause any specific allergies.
Children with eczema have allergic skin and can react to many substances that come in contact with their skin. You cannot expect to find one, two or three allergens that cause your child’s eczema. In addition, removing suspected allergens from your child’s surroundings will not improve eczema. Although many people are convinced that allergens cause eczema, they simply believe it, and there are no scientific studies to confirm it.
Can allergen testing help our children?
No. Children with eczema often show multiple positive reactions on skin tests that do not help much with treatment. Blood allergen tests are also ineffective.
Treatment of eczema
There is no simple topical medication that can cure eczema, but in any case for most children, topical medication can be effective in controlling eczema with a few simple treatments under medical supervision.
Lubricants and lubricants
These products moisturize and soften the skin, can restore elasticity and suppleness, and help reduce itching and scratching. Lubricants are safe and can be commonly used as the first line of topical medication. This phase of treatment includes
Daily bathing
Mild soap such as dove (Dove), soap alternative such as Cetaphil (Stave)
Wetting products such as Moisturel (use with caution) and Eucerin can be applied generously to dry skin at least twice a day and as often as possible.
Your child’s sensitive skin needs daily wetting, similar to daily brushing, to protect the skin from dryness and thus make it smooth and reduce itching and redness.
Topical hormonal ointments
Proper topical application of hormonal ointments is safe and is the most basic treatment. Ointments, such as Vaseline, are gray and thick. Creams, on the other hand, are white and more watery. They must be used once or twice a day on red, inflamed areas. Especially use it once immediately after bathing, when the skin is still moist. Hormonal ointments are used first and emollient creams are used on non-redness skin areas. Emollient ointment should not be used before hormones. Mild topical hormonal ointments such as 1% hydrocortisone, deprenyl pine or hydrocortisone 17-valerate ointment are effective enough for most children. Occasionally, the physician may need to use a strong hormonal ointment.
Topical immunomodulatory drugs
For children who do not respond to mild hormonal ointments or who require prolonged use of hormones, topical immunomodulatory medications such as Elidel (Pimecrolimus) and Protopic (Tacrolimus) are two products that can be used in children.
Antihistamines
Taken 30-60 minutes before going to bed, such as Benadryl, Hydroxyzine hydrochloride, Centrum (Cetirizine) can help your child have a comfortable night and a good night’s sleep. Some children may become more irritable and irritable after taking histamines. You must tell your doctor and discontinue the use of this medication.
Wet compresses
Keeping your baby’s skin soft can reduce itching. You can use wet compresses, and the following six steps are necessary.
1. Use hormonal ointment on your child’s skin
2.Take a sleeping bag and dip it in warm water
3, strand dry sleeping bag until there is a slight dampness
4.Put the damp sleeping bag on the baby, and cover with a dry sleeping bag outside. Be careful not to wrap the plastic bag outside. The humidity will evaporate.
5.Keep the room warm enough.
6.Your child will not adapt at first, but will soon stabilize.
Wet compresses can be a variety of methods, the steady evaporation of moisture on the temperature – dependent skin nerve endings can cause continuous sensitive stimulation. This constant cold sensation can prevent itchy feelings. Wet compresses can also keep moisture on the surface of the skin and make the hormonal ointment more effective. Your child can also reduce contact with the skin and avoid scratching injuries. Your doctor may want you to apply wet compresses continuously for 5-10 minutes each night, or every 8 hours to 24 hours to 72 hours. If your child has an acute eczema flare-up, a wet compress for one or two nights will stop the flare-up.
Are hormonal ointments dangerous?
They can be dangerous if not used correctly.
Topical hormonal ointments vary greatly in strength and are generally safe to use with some mild, moderate strength ointments under medical supervision. Parents are anxious about using hormones, but it is the stronger ones that can cause problems, such as thinning the skin, and the class is also generally not routinely used to treat children.
Topical hormone medications, such as 1% hydrocortisone ointment, are used once or twice a day, . It is safe for prolonged use. In the faces of small infants, continuous daily use for more than two weeks is preferred. Those children who need a strong topical hormonal ointment or who require prolonged use of hormonal ointment medications will need to add immunomodulatory medications.
How much topical hormonal ointment for the skin should be used?
Apply the ointment evenly and thinly to the surface of the eczema area (at the red or pink rash skin area) to give the skin a shine at night. A fingertip length amount of ointment can be applied to the entire arm or leg. Usually apply a thin layer of ointment or cream in a backward direction to the surface of the skin. Be careful not to wipe off the ointment. The word “caution” written on the tube of ointment can cause parents to worry and may reduce the amount used.
It is important to use the appropriate amount of hormonal ointment.
Is there any harm in taking a bath?
After taking a bath and undressing, children often scratch, so it is important to prepare for the bath, undress, and quickly place the baby in the bath. Before preparing for the bath, an undressed baby will scratch the skin causing it to get worse. Bathing can make the skin clean and remove dead epidermis and scales, which can help prevent infection. Adding appropriate bath oil to the bath water helps, it can make the skin not dry, and soaking in the water for 10 minutes can help store moisture to soften the skin. When the bath is finished, apply moisturizer immediately while the skin is still damp, and do not use a towel (except for hair use). Do not use regular soap, as it is harsh, alkaline and often scented.
It is best to cleanse the skin with Cetaphil (Stave), which is very tolerant and easy to use. The water temperature in the shower should not be too hot, but the room temperature should be warm. Avoid sudden changes in temperature that can cause itchy skin.
Can antihistamines be addictive?
No.
Antihistamines are not addictive, and there is no evidence to suggest that long-term use is dangerous.
Antihistamines can reduce itching and have a sedative effect. Therefore, they can be used at night to help you sleep and should be given at least half an hour to an hour before bedtime. Antihistamines that are not sedating can be used during the day and can be effective, especially for children who suffer from cushings in the summer. Antihistamine creams or lotions should not be used for eczema because they may be the cause of allergies.
Are there bacteria colonizing the area with eczema infection?
Yes.
Eczema can cause some bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, to be present on the surface of the skin of children with eczema. Staphylococcus aureus on the skin is not necessarily an infection. It is just a sign that a child with eczema is highly susceptible to some bacteria and may make the eczema worse.
Babies with eczema are susceptible to skin infections because of skin scratches and cracks. Acute outbreaks of eczema are often associated with secondary bacterial infections and often require antibiotic treatment. Your baby will feel bad when infected, and you need to contact your doctor early if you suspect an infection. It is important that babies with eczema do not come into contact with people who have acute colds to avoid the virus from invading their skin. Children with eczema are also prone to warts and infectious molluscum contagiosum. These tend to be small, white elevations that persist for 6-12 months, sometimes longer. But eventually they will go away whether they are treated or not.
Is breastfeeding better?
Yes, breastfeeding is better when possible.
Although there is no evidence that breastfeeding stops the development of eczema in children, breast milk does protect the skin effectively, especially for those with severe cases in the early postnatal period, so breastfeeding should be encouraged. There is no reason why breastfeeding needs to be extended beyond 9 months of age.
Does the child have to be on a prescribed diet?
It is generally accepted that a child with eczema must be on a special diet. Many parents believe that their child’s eczema is caused by the foods they eat and that a regular restricted diet is usually not helpful. Parents are also generally discouraged from giving their children soy milk feedings.
Sun exposure for children with eczema?
Eczema usually increases significantly in the sun, especially when going on vacation. Therefore, it is important for children to stay cool and wear loose cotton clothing on hot days. Children can easily develop a heat rash if they are overheated, and protecting the skin with some sunscreen products is advisable for children with eczema. Sometimes it is useful to have your child wear a wet T-shirt on a hot day to lower skin temperature and reduce itching.
Swimming?
Swimming in the ocean is better. In the pool, chlorine can be irritating to the skin, and measures can be taken to use some thick creams such as preparing Vaseline in advance and soaking in an oil-based bath afterwards. It is not a good idea to put an eczema child in the pool. Children over the age of 4 should be encouraged to swim and participate in all sports.
Immunization issues?
Babies need to receive all routine immunizations like other babies, for reasons that are not clear. The MMR and measles vaccines are safe for children with eczema who have egg allergies, but in cases closely related to eggs, these injections should be administered under close medical supervision at the local hospital. Sometimes any immunizations may aggravate eczema after a few days, but this is usually not a problem.
What are those things that can cause eczema to worsen?
Eczema is affected by many environmental factors that are important to take into account in the daily management of eczema. These factors are a problem when they directly affect the surface of the skin.
These factors include.
(1) Man-made or woolen fibers.
The child must wear cotton clothing or clothing with as much cotton as possible
(2) Biological cleaners or fabric conditioners
No biologic products
(3) Irritating foods and drooling
Fruits like lemons and tomatoes can cause perioral eczema. Licking the lips and drooling can aggravate eczema. It is helpful to use petroleum jelly for protection around the mouth, 2-3 times a day, before meals. Drooling babies often have perioral lips, arms, chest skin rough and chapped, clean with a soft cloth and apply Vaseline or other emollients to these areas.
(4) Smoking
In a closed room, smoke can irritate the skin, it is best not to smoke in the room
(5) Dogs and cats
In fact, furry pets can affect the skin of children with eczema, even if the animals themselves are not around, because cats and dogs can leave dander everywhere, so the child is at risk at all times. Don’t put dogs and cats in the room, or even a goldfish.
Other useful suggestions
In addition to the above suggestions, pay attention to the following
Keep nails short, avoid much heat, use cotton for bedding, non-feather pillows, quilts of cotton, and good room ventilation are also important. The humidity of the room will also help. Hard water can irritate the skin, using soft water will help somewhat.
Schools may also have some problems, which are related to teachers working closely. It is best to sit in the middle of the classroom, away from doors, windows, and radiators. Do not touch test subjects such as Dutch pigs, hamsters, rabbits, etc. at school. They must bring special soaps, emollients to school, and most children use their own cream for breakfast and lunch, but this must be supervised by the school. If properly informed, most schools will cooperate in these areas and it is important that the child does not miss school because of eczema.