Does your newborn have baby eczema?
Also known as atopic dermatitis, it affects about 13 percent of all children under 18 in the United States.
The condition is characterized by dry, itchy, bumpy, rashy and inflamed skin. You may also notice skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation).
It’s a helpless feeling, watching your little one struggle with this type of skin condition and wondering how you can help without making the symptoms worse.
In this article, we examine baby eczema and give you the information you need to determine whether your baby has it—and, if so, what you can do to help manage it safely and effectively.
What Is Baby Eczema?
Baby eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that makes baby’s skin dry, itchy, bumpy, and prone to red rashes. It occurs because the skin’s barrier is weakened, which makes the skin more sensitive to irritants and allergens.
But why do some babies get it while others don’t? Doctors aren’t exactly sure, but they believe it comes from a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic Factors
If eczema runs in your family, your baby will be more likely to develop it. Scientists have discovered that a mutation in the filaggrin gene (which helps the skin stay firm and hydrated) is strongly associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema). Research shows that 20 to 30 percent of people with eczema have a filaggrin gene mutation compared to 8 to 10 percent of the general population without eczema.
A mutation in this gene leads to the production of proteins that impair the skin’s barrier function. It also leads to a shortage of moisture, allowing excess water to be lost through the skin.
Other genes and environmental factors also play a role.
Other Causes
Problems in the skin barrier—not related to gene mutations—can also cause eczema. In some cases, it occurs when the body makes too few fatty cells called ceramides. Without enough of them, the skin easily loses water and becomes very dry, which, in turn, weakens the outer barrier even more.
Other potential causes include:
- Immune system malfunctions
- Mother’s age at the time of birth (for unknown reasons, children born to older women are more likely to develop eczema than children born to younger women)
- Endocrine disorders like thyroid disease
- Certain environments—children in higher social classes, those living in urban areas with higher levels of pollution, and those in colder climates are all more at risk.
Environmental Factors
Even if eczema isn’t in your family, environmental factors can trigger it. These may include the following:
- Irritants like soaps, detergents, scented lotions, and rough fabrics
- Allergens like dust mites, pet dander, or certain foods
- Weather changes (cold air and low humidity can dry out skin)
- Heat and sweat (too much warmth can make itching worse)
- Saliva (drool can cause eczema flare-ups around the mouth and cheeks)
How Can I Tell if My Baby Has Eczema?
It’s not always clear whether your baby has eczema or just a little red skin or acne. Look for these common signs:
- Dry, rough, or scaly skin
- In babies with light skin, the rash may have red or pink patches (especially on the face, scalp, feet, arms, and legs); in babies with darker skin, it may look purplish, brownish, or grayish.
- Itchy skin (babies may rub their faces against bedding to scratch)
- Small, raised bumps that may ooze or crust over
- Thickened or leathery skin from frequent scratching
Baby eczema makes your baby’s skin dry and may cause itchy patches of skin that form a rash. Eczema can also cause bumps on your baby’s skin. Baby acne can resolve on its own, but baby eczema needs treatment to rehydrate your baby’s skin.
Your doctor can help diagnose the condition. They will examine the baby and then run tests to determine the cause. The tests could include a blood test, allergy test, and/or a skin biopsy.
What Causes Baby Eczema to Wax and Wane?
Different triggers can make eczema worse. Every baby is different, so what bothers one child may not bother another. Some of the most common triggers are similar to the environmental factors listed above and include:
- Dry air (particularly in wintertime)
- Fragrances in lotions, detergents, and soaps
- Certain fabrics (wool and polyester are common culprits)
- Saliva and drool (causing rashes on the face)
- Certain foods (in some cases, dairy, eggs, or nuts)
- Dust, pollen, or pet dander
The easiest way to identify your baby’s triggers is to keep a baby eczema diary. Write down when flare-ups happen and what your baby was exposed to that day (new foods, laundry detergent, extra dry weather, etc.). Over time, you’ll be able to spot patterns, and then you can work to help your baby avoid the biggest triggers.
What Are the Best Treatments for Baby Eczema?
Baby eczema needs treatment to help skin heal and make the symptoms go away. The best treatment is using a moisturizer throughout the day to keep baby’s skin hydrated.
Your doctor may recommend a steroid cream or antihistamine, but you can also try more natural treatments at home to both prevent flare-ups and soothe them when they occur.
If you are seeking something natural, choose moisturizers and ointments like CV Skinlabs formulas that won’t further irritate your baby’s skin, are safe for babies, and clinically proven to reduce itching, redness and irritation. These include highly moisturizing skin repair ingredients help restore the skin’s delicate natural moisture barrier.
All of CV Skinlabs formulas are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, petroleum-free, steroid-free, and free from any potentially harmful ingredients.
1. Keep Skin Moisturized (All the Time!)
Remember that your baby’s skin is likely having difficulty staying hydrated because the skin barrier is weakened. That means it needs more moisture than usual because it can’t hold onto what it has. Apply a fragrance-free cream at least twice a day, especially right after bath time—more is usually necessary. Look for products without fragrances that have ceramides and natural oils to help strengthen the skin barrier.
*Safe and Soothing Choice: CV Skinlabs offers non-toxic, hypoallergenic skincare that is safe enough for use on babies! It helps heal irritated skin and restore moisture without harsh chemicals or irritants. These super calming formulas include oat extract and other plant-based ingredients to soothe skin and help heal eczema flare-ups. Apply our Calming Moisture to baby’s face, then use our Body Repair Lotion for the rest of the body.
2. Choose Fragrance-Free, Gentle Products
You can reduce the likelihood of a flare-up by using fragrance-free, gentle products in your home.
Harsh soaps, detergents, and other products can strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate eczema. Try safer options like fragrance-free body washes, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free laundry detergents, and soft, breathable fabrics like 100 percent cotton or bamboo.
3. Give Short, Lukewarm Baths
Hot water can dry out the skin, so lukewarm baths are better for preventing irritation. Use a gentle, moisture-rich cleanser and immediately apply moisturizer after drying to lock in hydration.
Extra soothing tips:
- Use oatmeal-based bath products, as oatmeal naturally soothes itch
- Limit bath time to 5-10 minutes
- Pat skin dry—never rub
4. Stop the Scratching
It might be difficult to prevent your baby from scratching, but scratching breaks the skin, which can lead to infections. Try keeping baby’s hands covered and soothing itchy spots as soon as they appear with our Rescue & Relief Spray.
- Use cotton mittens or socks on hands
- Keep baby’s nails short and filed smooth
- Apply cool compresses to itchy areas
*Safe and Soothing Choice: Apply our cooling, soothing Rescue + Relief Spray to any areas that are inflamed, red, or itching. It will instantly quell the itch, reduce the inflammation and calm the redness or rash, helping the skin to feel more comfortable while adding moisture, too.
5. Treat Oozing or Cracked Skin
If your baby’s skin starts oozing or cracking, use a healing balm or ointment to help protect the area and promote healing. Oozing eczema often indicates that the skin barrier is severely compromised, making it more vulnerable to infection. Applying a rich, protective balm helps seal in moisture, create a barrier against bacteria, and soothe irritation.
*Safe and Soothing Choice: Use our Restorative Skin Balm on oozing or cracked skin. It’s non-toxic and designed to calm inflammation and repair sensitive skin without harsh chemicals. It can help treat the current flare-up, while protecting the skin barrier to help prevent future flare-ups.
Restorative Skin Balm is also a great emollient that helps keep moisture locked in the skin. It doesn’t contain petroleum, mineral oil, or steroids and can be used for more than healing eczema. Use it to help heal and calm baby’s chapped skin from teething drool, diaper rash, chapped skin and more.
Will My Baby’s Eczema Go Away?
According to the Mayo Clinic, most babies will outgrow their eczema by the time they are 3 to 5 years old. This can be a comforting thought when your little one is struggling with that itchy red rash!
According to the National Eczema Society, however, if your child has a mutation in the filaggrin gene, they will not grow out of it. Even if it appears to recede, it can return during the teenage years or into adulthood.
The good news is that once you know how to manage it, you can teach your child how to do the same as they get older. This will help them learn the basics of a daily skincare routine that will allow them to enjoy more comfortable, healthy skin in their adult years.
Does your little one struggle with baby eczema?
Featured image by Helena Lopes via Pexels.