Has your child been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis/eczema? The diagnosis does not have a distinct cause and can be treated with good skin care. As eczema causes itchy, dry skin, oftentimes the skin will crack which enables germs to cause skin infections. It is crucial that you help your child take care of their skin if they have eczema.
As board-certified dermatologists, we have seen our fair share of eczema cases and know some helpful tips for parents to follow when taking care of their children with eczema.
Frequent baths. We mentioned above that it is important to take care of your child’s skin. One way that this can be accomplished is through frequent baths. You should never bathe your child in hot water, as it could further dry out the skin. Opt for shorter, warm baths.
If your child has eczema, you need to be extra cautious about the soap you use during the bath. Select a mild, fragrance-free soap for your child. After your child gets out of the bath, pat their skin dry and apply any medicine that has been prescribed. Finally, apply a moisturizer to seal everything in.
Sensitive moisturizer and fabric softener. Atopic dermatitis causes extremely dry skin. Your child’s skin will be sensitive, so you might need to test out a few different moisturizers to determine the best fit. We recommend moisturizers to be very thick and fragrance-free. An option you can select is petroleum jelly, it matches both of the above criteria.
In addition to being careful with the moisturizer you put on your child’s skin, you should also pay attention to the type of laundry detergent you are using. Try to find a detergent that is made for sensitive skin and avoid scented fabric softener and dryer sheets.
Skin care regimen. To improve your child’s skin condition, you should establish and stick to a skin care regimen. The first thing you will need to do is apply moisturizer twice a day. To prevent your child from puncturing their skin when scratching, keep their nails short and smooth. You should also keep the temperature level in your house comfortable. If it is too cold or warm, it might trigger a reaction.
No matter your skin care needs; Windsor Dermatology will work to solve your problem. We have an excellent team of six board certified dermatologists that take pride in their work and strives for the highest quality care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the services we offer.
