Eczema

Eczema

 

What is Baby Eczema?

Eczema refers to a number of different skinconditions where the skin is red and irritated. The skin is usually dry but ifit becomes infected, tiny blisters can form which become moist and ooze. Themost common type of eczema is ‘atopic dermatitis’ also known as infantileeczema or baby eczema, although it also occurs in older children.

Baby eczematypically develops in babies between 2 and 6 months old, starting as a red rashon the cheeks which then spreads to the face and trunk either as patches orcovering the skin. The chief characteristic of baby eczema is the intenseitching which can become unbearable, especially if the eczema becomes infected.Baby eczema typically flares up and then calms down although even betweenflare-ups skin tends to be dry and flaky

What causes Baby Eczema?

The causes for baby eczema are unclear but it doestend to run in families. Three-quarters of baby eczema sufferers have parentswith atopic conditions such as hay fever, asthma and eczema.

Every case of babyeczema has different triggers, but flare-ups are often the result of:

	·         Soap and detergents - especially biological washing powders, bubble bath, shampoo and soap
	·         Pollens and house dust mites (and their droppings)
	·         Animal dander, fur or saliva - it’s worth noting that lanolin is derived from sheep wool so if animals seem to be a trigger, creams containing lanolin may also be a problem
	·         Rough clothing, especially wool
	·         Diet - especially in babies that have suffered from digestive problems like colic and reflux
	·         Overheating
	·         Teething   Identifying and avoiding the triggers for your baby’s eczema is one of the most effective ways of treating them. However, this is easier said than done as each case of baby eczema.   foods associated with eczema

Dairy/milk and wheat products, acidic fruits, eggs, nuts, seafood,chemical food additives, preservatives and colorings are the most common foodscausing eczema. However, since every individual is different, it is possiblethat almost any food can cause a reaction in any given individual. DO NUT CUTANYTHING OUT OF YOUR DIET BEFORE SPEAKING TO A DOCTOR.

 

How to Stop Babies Scratching

The intense itching of baby eczema inevitably leadsto scratching. Once the skin has been broken, the chances of bacterialinfection are greatly increased. The most common type of bacteria to infecteczema is Staphylococcus aureus, which causes increased redness, cracking andoozing of the skin together with a high temperature and will requireantibiotics to enable the skin to heal. More serious complications can arisefrom infection with the herpes simplex virus. These infections can further intensifythe itching resulting in even more scratching. Another effect of the itching isdisturbed sleep for the whole family, as babies commonly scratch themselvesawake.

One way to stop the scratches is to keep fingersnails clean and short, however it may be also be necessary to cover the handsof babies and children who can’t stop themselves from scratching.  I personally highly recommendscratchsleeves.co.uk fabulous product , silk handed mitts that are like acardigan, there fore cand take off and that helps them to stop scratching

Keeping Eczema Babies Clean

Keeping eczema babies clean is key to keepinginfections at bay, but soap and bubble bath can make eczema far worse and theystrip the skin of its natural oils as well at the dirt. Hot water can alsodissolve the skin’s natural oils and dry it out, so eczema children should bebathed in tepid or warm water. Every child is different and you’ll need to findout what works for yours. Our approach is to avoid soaps and bath productsaltogether and use a micro-fibre wash mitt . When the dirt is just too much, weuse gentle, parben-free toiletries. I also use my sons mosituriser for a soapand shampoo

Baby Eczema Treatments

Eczema treatments aim to improve the moisturelevels of the skin using emollient (moisturising) creams and topicalcorticosteroids (usually hydrocortisone) which are prescribed to reduceswelling and redness during flare-ups.

There are aplethora of emollients and eczema creams available both on prescription andover the counter. Each case of baby eczema will respond slightly differently:what works for one child, may not work for another. In our experience an eczemaproduct has around a 50:50 chance of being effective for each sufferer, so itreally is a case of trial and error to find an effective treatment for yourbaby’s eczema. One thing to note is that moisturisers should be appliedgenerously and smeared over the skin (in the direction of the hair growth)rather than being rubbed in. This ensures that sensitive skin is not pulled andstretched unnecessarily and that sufficient moisture is supplied. I personallyhad to try about 10 different creams to find one that suited my sons skin.Please let us know below what works for your child so others can get a idea J  we r using diprobase at the moment but havejust started using Dream Cream from Lush as I don’t want too many steroids onhis skin J.

Infected excema

Antibiotics are usually prescribed if eczema becomes infected.

Large areas of infected skin are usually treated with antibiotic tabletsor capsules. The antibiotic most commonly prescribed is flucloxacillin, whichis usually taken four times a day for seven days. If you are allergic topenicillin, you may be prescribed:

• erythromycin - four times a day for seven days
• clarithromycin - twice a day for seven days

Small areas of infected eczema are usually treated with antibioticcreams or ointments applied directly to the infected area.

 

 

Hom» Eczema in

Eczema in Children

Eczema is unbearably itchy – so much so that it isoften known as the ‘itch that rashes’ rather than the ‘rash that itches’. Thisincessant itching inevitably leads to scratching, which increases the chance ofinfection resulting in even more itching and scratching.

About Childhood Eczema

As babies grow into children, their eczema willtend to settle into the folds of the skin: behind knees, inside elbows, on theneck and around eyes and ears, although dark skins can also be affected on theouter surfaces of knees and elbows. The rash typically becomes drier, with moreflaking of the skin, and turns red to brown-grey colour. Skin in affected areascan also become thickened and sensitive, especially if scratched regularly.These symptoms typically worsen and improve over time, with flare-ups occurringperiodically.

Eczema can also have a very real psychologicaleffect on children. Research shows that preschool children with moderate tosevere eczema are more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems thanother children and that they are more likely to be more dependent on theirparents. This is thought to be the result of poor self-image due to theirskin’s appearance and interrupted sleep affecting both their mood and abilityto learn. In some cases this lack of confidence can impact on the developmentof social skills.

Managing Childhood Eczema

One of the biggest problems with controllingchildhood eczema is the intense urge to scratch at itchy skin, which may thenbleed or become infected. These infections can further intensify the itchingresulting in even more scratching. Scratching at night can also result indisturbed sleep, making children grumpy and irritable, they may also find ithard to concentrate and learn. Continued scratching can also result in skinthickening. This thickened skin loses flexibility and, as eczema tends to beworst around joints, painful cracks can develop as a result of naturalmovement.

The key to controlling the physical aspects ofeczema is firstly a good maintenance routine which keeps the skin moist andsupple, this minimises the risk of infection; and secondly identifying andavoiding flare-up triggers such as harsh detergents, pets, food allergies,heat, etc. By keeping the physical symptoms under control, the destructivesecondary symptoms of disturbed sleep and low self-esteem can be minimised.

This means:

	·         Tracking down your child’s eczema triggers and finding ways to avoid or minimise them while maintaining as normal as possible family life
	·         Using moisturisers and emollients regularly and generously, not just during flare-ups;
	·         Keeping skin clean and undamaged to avoid infections
	·         Providing constant reassurance to support your child’s self-esteem

Eczema significantly improves or completely clearsup in many children as they get older. In around half of all cases, atopiceczema clears up by 11 years of age and in two-thirds of all cases it clears upby 16.

How to Stop Kids Scratching

Apart from the immediate damage caused byscratching itchy eczema, scratching can also turn into habit. To minimise thedamage and stop this habit forming, you will need to give you child someeffective strategies for dealing with the very real eczema itch. Fromexperience, being told to ‘stop scratching’ without being told how isincredibly frustrating; but learning how not to scratch is an important lifeskill for an eczema sufferer.

The most effective way to stop children scratchingtheir eczema is by minimising the itching with a good skin maintenance routineand avoiding known triggers. Keeping rooms cool, dressing itchy kids in loosecotton clothing and avoiding harsh soaps and detergents will also help. Whenthese measures haven’t worked, a cold compress (or even an ice cube) can oftenbe effective at stopping the itch - we keep a novelty gel filled compress inthe fridge for the purpose (which comes in handy for bumps and bruises aswell). Another method of avoiding scratching is to lightly tap the itch withyour fingers until it fades - the vibration created by the tapping interfereswith the nerve signals responsible for the itch. On really itchy days (ornights), children’s Piriton can be helpful, but it will make them drowsy.

If the itch just won’t go away - distraction can bereally effective, especially if it involves both hands. Watch your child andwork out if there is a time when they more likely to scratch. This will oftenbe when they are tired, slightly bored in the car, or pre-occupied watching theTV. Armed with this knowledge you should be able to come up with a strategy tohelp them. Fiddly toys like Lego, tangle toys and even a Rubik cube are greatfor keeping hands busy. We have found that character action figures are greatat keeping our son’s hands out of mischief while he watches the TV. We alsohave some great games on our mobile phones to keep his scratchy fingersoccupied when we are out and about.

If scratching is inevitable you’ll need to keepfingers nails clean and short to minimise the damage and risk of infection. Itmay be also be necessary to cover the hands of children who can’t stopthemselves from scratching when their hands aren’t occupied or they are bored.

 

Eczema and Sleep

Childrenwith eczema often find sleeping a problem as their skin can get hotter anditchier at night. This can affect their mood and concentration the followingday, especially during flare-ups. A bad night’s sleep does not set them up wellfor dealing with an itchy day. Here are some things that help our scratchy sonto sleep well and wake up bouncing:

	Applying moisturiser before bedtime stories to allow it time to soak in
	Wearing loose-fitting, cotton nightwear - short-sleeved pyjamas and mitts such as ScratchSleeves
	Keeping his bedroom cool and using a humidifier on nights when the central heating is on
	Using light cotton and natural-fibre bedding
	Keeping fluffy pets out of the bedroom, as they can make eczema worse
	Keeping house dust mites to a minimum by airing bedding daily, dusting with a damp cloth, machine washing soft toys regularly and replacing his carpet with hard floors and machine washable rugs

Referral

In some cases of atopic eczema, your GP may refer you to a specialist intreating skin conditions (dermatologist). You may be referred if:

• your GP is not sure what type of eczema you have
• treatment is not controlling your eczema
• the eczema is causing significant problems in your daily life
• it is not clear what is causing your eczema

A dermatologist may offer the following treatments:

• phototherapy - exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
• bandaging - medicated dressings or wet wraps are applied to your skin
• an immunosuppressant medication - to suppress your immune system
• very strong topical corticosteroids
• additional support on using your treatments correctly - including demonstrations from nurse specialists
• psychological support

Howto Use Wet Wrap Therapy
As the name implies, wet-wrap therapy involves wrapping wet bandages around theaffected skin. This is generally done before bedtime. The steps recommended byyour dermatologist may differ slightly to accommodate a patient’s specificneeds. However, the basic technique is as follows:

1.Thepatient soaks in a bath with bath oil. The water should be lukewarm, and thebath should last 5 to 10 minutes.

2.Afterbathing, pat the skin partially dry with a towel. Do not rub the skin asrubbing can irritate the skin.

3.Applymoisturizer and medication. This should be applied to the patient’s skin asdirected by your dermatologist.

4.Moistenthe bandages and wrap. The bandages are generally moistened by soaking them inthe bathwater or applying moisturizer. Note: When treating an infant or veryyoung child, moistened pajamas may be used instead of wet wraps. Special caremust be taken to prevent these children from becoming chilled.

5.Wrapthe wet bandages on the area to be treated. Wet bandages can be used on any areaof the body that the patient will tolerate, including the face.

6.Lockin moisture by applying dry bandages over the wet ones.

Benefitsof Wet Wrap Therapy
Thebenefits of wet-wrap therapy include:

*Skinre-hydration

*Morerestful sleep

*Reducedredness and inflammation

*Lessfrequent itching

*Decreasein the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria found on the skin

Drawbacksof Wet Wrap Therapy
Wet-wraptherapy has some drawbacks. It is time-consuming. If you are treating a child,it requires a great deal of patience and supervision. Children tend to squirmwhen the bandages are being applied and may try to remove the bandages. As oneparent said, “It’s not a nice thing for any parent to have to do.” However,most parents agree that the results are worth the effort when other therapiesare not effective.

How to Maintain Results
Wet-wrap therapy is generally used for 1 to 2 weeks. To maintain the results,you must apply moisturizer frequently throughout the day and after bathing.Additionally, triggers must be avoided, and it may be necessary to continueusing medication.

If you feel that nothing will bring relief, be sure to talk with yourdermatologist about wet-wrap therapy. It may be exactly what is needed to “wrapup” severe eczema.

 

teenagers!

these tips may help:

      Avoid substances that stress your skin. Besides yourknown triggers, some things you may want to avoid include household cleaners,drying soaps, detergents, and scented lotions.

      Try to avoid hot water. Too much exposure to hotwater or overuse of soaps or cleansers can dry out your skin, so take shortwarm — not hot — showers and baths and wear gloves if your hands will be inwater for long periods of time. Be sure to gently and thoroughly pat your skindry, as rubbing with a coarse towel will irritate the eczema. Also, it isn'tthe water that causes your skin to react; it's the water evaporating that's notcaptured in the skin.

      Say yes to cotton. Clothes made of scratchyfabric like wool can irritate your skin. Cotton clothes are a better bet.

      Moisturize! A fragrance-freemoisturizer such as petroleum jelly will prevent your skin from becomingirritated and cracked.

      Don't scratch that itch. Even thoughit's difficult to resist, scratching your itch can worsen eczema and make itmore difficult for the skin to heal because you can break the skin and bacteriacan get in, causing an infection.

      Keep your cool. Sudden changes intemperature, sweating, and becoming overheated may cause your eczema to kickin.

      Take your meds. Follow your doctor's ordermatologist's directions and take your medication as directed.

      Unwind. Stress can aggravateeczema, so try to relax.

      There's good news if you have eczema — it usuallyclears up before the age of 25. Until then, you can learn to tune in to whattriggers eczema and manage the condition. For example, if you have eczema andcan't wear certain types of makeup, find brands that are free of fragrances anddyes. Your dermatologist may be able to recommend some brands that are lesslikely to irritate your skin.

      Your self-esteem doesn't have to suffer justbecause you have eczema, and neither does your social life! Getting involved inyour school and extracurricular activities can be a great way to get your mindoff the itch. If certain activities aggravate your eczema, such as playingsoccer in the grass, suggest activities to your friends that won't harm yourskin.

      Even if sweat tends to aggravate your skin, it'sstill a good idea to exercise. Exercise is a great way to blow off stress —just try walking, bike riding, or another sport that keeps your skin cool anddry while you work out.

 

 

 

http://www.scratchsleeves.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/eczema.html#

http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/wet_wraps.html

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Eczema-(atopic)/Pages/Introduction.aspx

 

Books for children (all on amazon)

Emmy’s Eczema – jack hughes

The itchy kids club: silly poems for itchy kids – jillgrabowski

 Books For adults

The eczema solution – sue Armstrong-jones

50 things you can do today to manager eczema – wendy green

Eczema what really workds – Carolyn charman and sandreaLawton

Simple eczema solution – dina Torrance

The eczema diet – Karen fischer