Baby eczema

BABY ECZEMA

This is painfully a very common situation for babies in Kuwait.

Main idea is to first...

Treat eczema; then continue with a standard moisturizing pattern

You may be advised to apply certain herbal oil with turmeric or other home made applications, gram flour scrub etc etc etc and n number of etc for 15 - 30 mins and then wash off!

To my best understanding, your baby is already suffering from eczema, there may be already some blood stream infection that needs to be treated internally as well. Antibiotics are often required to eliminate the infection and control the eczema.

You treat it first...

The immune system normally develops during the first six months of life. There may be some imbalance of the white cells that is causing ''loss of skin barrier function''; then irritants (soap, dirt, detergents) and allergens (dust, pollen, dust mite) can penetrate the skin. 

In my baby's case (note that this treatment is not necessarily applicable for another baby), it was: -

1. 1 week of antibiotics - Profinal, in 2 days, noted significant changes

2. A hydro-cortisone cream - Elocom on the stronger side for 1 week - 10 days

3. A mild cream - Protopic for 1 or 2 weeks 

4. Moisturizing cream - UEA for daily application

1 week treatment was a fantastic speedy recovery which was then followed by usual routines that included the below

Thereon: - My basic tips to control or reduce flare ups...

1. UEA moisturizing cream got over in 5-6 months. I shifted to AVEENO eczema therapy cream (oat content). Before consultation and medication, I used to use CETAPHIL moisturizing cream.

2. Bath is in QV lotion - a 5 mins bath (no hot water). No scrubbing. No towel rubbing. I just wrap her (meanwhile I dry her hair). On unwrapping, her body is moist like and I apply the AVEENO cream. You can do the home remedy at this point on a regular basis before bath session - for instance, a home made oil with turmeric and herbs, gram flour scrub, yogurt pack, olive oil body packs, glycerin rosewater mix, coconut milk bath, there are numerous home packs. But, please... stick to 1! Make sure you regularly moisturize your baby to combat dryness.

3. One can wait till baby turns at least 2 to start feeding all that an adult consumes! He / She has several years ahead to feed on egg, fish, chicken and meat dishes! From 0 - 2 years, your baby is going to get all the nutrients from breast milk / formula milk, vegetable and fruit based recipes. You can give multi-vitamins as well. So, try your best not to unnecessarily bring in a reason for your baby's allergy or rashes. 

4. Weather contributes to dry skin - extreme hot or cold conditions. How much your baby can stay indoors, do it!

5. Changed the carpets to stick on vinyl carpets - maybe 5mm thick.

6. Use only cotton clothes, even if you tempted to doll up your baby for an occasion!

7. Wash clothes in the mildest detergent or a hand wash will do. 

8. Keep your hands clean before attending to your baby.

9. Play and Sleep regularly... not you, the baby! Playing and sweating can open / unclog the pores. It seems that perspiration contains a natural antibiotic that can fight bacteria.

As an when I remember more points, will update.

P.S.: AVEENO products are not available in Kuwait. In order to NOT run out of tubes and containers, I stock them up. Yes, undoubtedly, friends and relatives choose from the lot I have at a minimal rate.

5 oz AVEENO Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

18 oz AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Update as of 12-Aug-14

New stock of AVEENO Baby - Eczema Therapy