Eczema Causes

The term Eczema is used when referring to several different skin conditions, which are generally characterized by itchiness, dryness and perhaps scaly patches too. This condition affects not only adults, but also children, especially infants. Eczema is not contagious, even though its common symptoms include small bumps on the skin, which bleed or ooze. Many infants could suffer from reddening, cracked and swollen skin, due to eczema too. Although the bumps and scaly patches could appear on any part of the body, they are a lot more common on the scalp, chest, forehead, and around the joints, like the back of the knees or the elbow folds.

The severity of the condition varies from one infant to the next; in some cases, babies could suffer from mild eczema but at other times, the condition could be so severe, it may also disrupt the baby’s sleep. This problem can be quite distressing for the child as well as the parents. Several parents consult doctors to find out more about the possible baby eczema causes and if they can be avoided.

One of the main baby eczema causes is heredity, especially in babies who develop this condition when they are around 2 to 3 months old. This does not mean that all babies will develop eczema because the condition runs in their families.

Not a lot of people are aware of the fact that one of the main eczema causes is food and the diet the baby is fed. Nowadays, due to several reasons, many babies are fed higher quantities of cow’s milk or formula, instead of breast milk. Studies show that babies find it a bit difficult to digest any other milk, apart from mother’s milk. The digestive system in babies is quite immature and the lack of proper digestion could cause waste and toxins to accumulate, which generally take on the form of mucus. These toxins could have an adverse effect on the entire body, including the skin, which could lead to eczema.

Several health experts claim that there are eczema emotional causes in babies too, in spite of the fact that it cannot be explained how babies feel. However, it is easy to see that babies’ emotions change rapidly; they can laugh, cry, get scared and be angry, all within a matter of minutes. Hence, the baby’s delicate systems may not be very stable, because of these rapidly changing emotions, because of which the toxins may build up and affect the body adversely, leading to conditions such as eczema.

Eczema Symptoms

Eczema herpeticum is a serious and a complicated type of eczema, as it involves herpetic infection. Though it is rare in people, it should be treated immediately, because it could be life threatening, for an individual. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to consult a doctor as soon as any of the eczema herpeticum symptoms become evident. In most people, the symptoms take about 15 days to show up, after exposure to the herpes virus. Some of the possible eczema herpeticum symptoms include skin rash, clusters of tiny blisters, fever, unease and swelling in the lymph nodes, among others.

Nummular eczema can be described as a skin disorder, related to allergies, which is more evident in men over the age of sixty. One of the first nummular eczema symptoms includes the appearance of itchy lesions, on patches of the skin. These lesions are usually shaped like coins and are generally seen on the arms and legs, but could spread to the torso too. In the early stages of nummular eczema, papules may also be evident, which can ooze for a few days, before the crusts form over them. Eventually, the papules merge together to form coin shaped patches on the skin too. Some of the patches on the skin could take up to a year to clear up. Other common nummular eczema symptoms include skin inflammation, itchiness, redness and burning sensation.

Facial eczema is believed to be one of the most difficult types of eczemas to deal with, because it could lead to the formation of unsightly red splotches all over the face. Though this condition is common, it is serious and requires immediate medical attention. Some of the most common facial eczema symptoms include skin irritation, itchiness, redness and inflammation around the eyes, nose, chin and the cheeks.

As soon as any of the herpeticum, nummular or facial Eczema symptoms become evident, it is important to consult a doctor and get the treatment started. The treatment of the condition may vary a bit, based on factors such as the severity, the symptoms, the causes, as well as the patient’s overall health. There is a lot of additional information available on eczema symptoms and treatment, through resources such as online websites. However, it is best to consult a doctor directly, in case of any queries on the various eczema symptoms.

Eczema Treatment

The treatment of eczema usually requires a combination of medications, which could be oral or topical. However, baby eczema treatment may be different, as their skin is more sensitive. Hence, natural eczema treatment is more suitable for any baby. Children suffering from eczema should be given a bath twice a day in lukewarm water. Hot or warm water should be strictly avoided as it could cause the child to experience a lot of discomfort. A spoon of table salt can be added to a tub full of water and the use of soap or a washcloth should be avoided. In case soap is used, it should be mild, unscented and a moisturizing one. Instead of rubbing the child’s body with a towel, it skin should just be patted gently and left to dry naturally, for a minute or two. Immediately after that, a heavy moisturizer, like petroleum jelly should be applied on to the skin. Through the day, applying cold washcloths or soaking cotton cloths to the affected area is very soothing for the child. To increase the child’s comfort, it is important to using cotton clothing and bedding, which have been washed in gentle and unscented detergent. Moreover, since heat can aggravate the symptoms, the child should be kept in a cool atmosphere, preferably with a humidifier in the room. Care should also be taken of the child’s diet.

Dyshidrotic eczema is a serious condition, which affects the hands and at times, the feet of an individual. Fortunately, it is possible to cure this affliction, with the right treatment, which includes medication as well as natural remedies. Many doctors, suggest eczema treatment with over the counter topical ointments containing zinc oxide or cortisones. Oral anti-pruritics and antihistamines are also helpful in dyshidrotic eczema treatment for controlling some of the symptoms. Home remedies like moisturizers, Aloe Vera gel, oatmeal and cold compresses can increase the effectiveness of eczema treatment.

Eczema herpeticum treatment needs to be administered by a doctor immediately, as the condition can be contagious. Medicines used in eczema herpeticum treatment include antiviral drugs and antibiotics. Moisturizers and other topical lotions are also very effective in treating this condition.

Eczema Diet

Studies indicate that food allergies tend to exacerbate the various symptoms of eczema and therefore, they should be avoided. Therefore, several health experts advise people to follow a customized eczema diet treatment plan, which eliminates the consumption of milk, wheat based products, dairy products, nuts, acidic fruits, seafood, soy products, food coloring, eggs, and tomatoes. However, allergies and intolerances can be triggered by different foods for each individual and therefore a diet may vary a bit for each patient.

Baby eczema nutrition is also an important factor, when it comes to treating the condition in newborns, infants, and toddlers. Wheat and dairy products should be strictly avoided, as they tend to aggravate the symptoms in children. Instead, children should be given a diet of fresh fruits (except the acidic ones), vegetables, whole grains, legumes and certain varieties of fish. Moreover, infants should be given breast milk for as long as possible.

Eczema in Babies

Certain types of eczema in children, infants, toddlers are very common, which can be a major concern for parents. As soon as parents realize that their children are suffering from this condition, they want to know what causes eczema in babies, as some of them believe that the condition could be a result for poor parenting skills. However, this is not really true as some of the most common causes of eczema in children and babies include heredity factors, allergies, emotional factors and a diet.

Most parents notice the signs of eczema in babies, such as reddening of the skin, a rash, swelling, inflammation, burning sensation, itchiness and so on. However depending on the causes and the severity of the condition, the signs and symptoms may vary a bit.

There are certain topical and oral medicines that can help treat the condition in babies. However, most parents prefer to use natural remedies for eczema in babies. These natural remedies include cold compresses, wearing light clothes, following a proper diet, bathing with mild soaps, and oatmeal baths. However, it is important to consult a doctor before using any home remedies for a baby.

Submitted on January 16, 2014