Eczema Treatment for Kids
If you are a parent it is difficult to watch your children trying to manage their eczema outbreaks. The rashes can be uncomfortable and unsightly and this can embarrass your child. Your main concern as a parent is to find the best treatment possible for helping your child get relief from the itching and inflammation of their eczema rash.
As with any skin condition, the best way to provide your child with help is to learn what it is that triggers their eczema. Once you can identify them it will be easier to try and avoid these triggers if possible. You can then teach your kid what to try and avoid and how to deal with these outbreaks to lessen the severity of them.
There are many known triggers of eczema and these can range from shampoos, detergents, dust mites, changes in temperature, wool, polyester and more. There is nothing common with each kid that suffers from eczema so you will have to pinpoint the cause separately.
One good place to start discovering eczema triggers is by looking at the everyday products you have in your home. Try to purchase hypo-allergenic products whenever possible. Also read the labels on bottles of shampoos, detergents, and moisturizers and buy the ones that contain the most natural ingredients.
Many kids find that the weather can have a huge impact on their eczema. Being outside in the sun or even cooler temperatures in winter can dry out their skin. This, in turn, causes a rash to appear which will then need to be treated immediately.
Proper hygiene is essential at keeping eczema under control. Warm baths are often the best choice for kids. Some doctors recommend not washing your child’s hair in the bathtub but do it before or after their bath. When choosing a bath soap or lotion try to buy mild, unscented and natural or herbal products. These are known to have a less drying effect on the skin.
After your child’s bath teach them to pat their skin as opposed to rubbing themselves dry. This causes less irritation on the skin. Then gently apply lots of moisture to the body. It is best to moisturize their skin within a couple of minutes of getting out of the bathtub. Ideally, you do not want the skin to totally dry out as this could start the itchiness to reappear quickly.
If your kid’s eczema is bad then you should reapply the moisturizer at least 2 to 3 times during the day. Applying more lotion during the cold winter months is also recommended.
Once you have discovered the underlying triggers for your child’s eczema you will know what to avoid and how to minimize the outbreaks. Your main goal is to make your child more comfortable during this difficult and uncomfortable time.