What causes atopic eczema in children and what to lubricate it with?

Although the atopic eczema can occur at any age, it most often starts in infancy and early childhood. It affects approximately 15-20% of children worldwide. In the following lines, we will focus on what causes atopic eczema in children and what to lubricate it with so that little atopics can enjoy their childhood without much restriction.

Causes of atopic eczema in children

Atopic eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. There may be several reasons behind its development. Most often, it can be behind atopic eczema in children:

• Genetics – Genetic predisposition plays a key role. Children whose parents or siblings suffer from atopic eczema, asthma or hay fever are much more prone to develop atopic dermatitis.
• Environmental factors – Air pollution, climatic conditions, allergens and irritants can contribute to the development and worsening of atopic eczema. Children who live in cities with higher levels of pollution are more prone to the disease.
• Weakened immune system – Atopic eczema is also associated with immune system dysfunction, which leads to an excessive immune response to common stimuli. This is specifically inflammation of the skin.

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How to recognize atopic eczema in children?

In infants, atopic eczema appears mainly on the cheeks, scalp, forearms, legs and trunk. In older children, eczema tends to appear in the folds of the skin, for example, on the elbows, knees, wrists and neck.

Depending on the age of the child, the symptoms of atopic eczema and their severity vary. However, typical symptoms of atopic eczema in children include:

• Dry skin – The skin is very dry, cracks and scales form.
• Itching – Intense itching is one of the most characteristic symptoms of atopic eczema. Itching can be so severe that it disturbs the child’s sleep.
• Redness and inflammation – The affected areas of the skin are red and inflamed.
• Rash – Small pimples or blisters and red spots appear on the skin.
• Swollen skin – The skin may be thicker and thickened in some places as a result of frequent scratching.
• Wetting – In the acute stages, eczema can become wet.

If any of the symptoms mentioned above appear in children, even in a small way, seek help from a doctor. After a clinical examination of the skin, he or she will suggest adequate treatment. Don’t be alarmed, a specialist can also perform a skin or blood tests for allergiesin order to rule out allergies.

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How to treat atopic eczema in children?

Treatment of atopic eczema in children requires a combination of different approaches aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Your doctor may recommend emollients (oily creams or ointments) that moisturise the skin and improve its barrier function. They should be applied to your child several times a day, especially after bathing.

Prescription creams and ointments include those containing corticosteroids. They help reduce inflammation and itching, but when using them it is especially important to follow the doctor’s instructions. Alternatives to corticosteroids include calcineurin inhibitors, which are suitable for long-term treatment of sensitive areas (face, neck).

In some cases, children may be prescribed antihistamines. They help especially for very itchy forms of eczema that disturb children’s sleep.

What else helps with atopic eczema in children?

In addition to the doctor’s recommendations, make sure that the children’s skin is sufficiently hydrated, that nothing irritates it and that the children do not scratch it as a result, as well as a varied diet. Below you will find some tips on how to do this.

1) Cosmetics for atopics

Lubricate atopic eczema in children with fragrance-free moisturizing creams that strengthen the skin barrier, relieve itching, restore the natural lipid layer and prevent skin dehydration. Of course, the best are those directly designed for atopics.

Cream for atopic eczema can be recognised by its natural composition with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Such ingredients include oat grain extract, vitamin E and hops extract.

Apply the ointment on the skin at least twice a day. If children develop atopic eczema, apply it more often. Don’t forget that you need to change all your cosmetics, including soaps and shampoos, not just creams.

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2) Breathable clothing

There’s nothing worse than when irritated skin becomes inflamed. Therefore, give your child clothes made of breathable materials that allow sweat to evaporate and allow the skin to breathe freely so it heals better.

3) Detergents for eczematous skin

For washing, Allergy UK and the National Eczema Society recommend using Ecoegg laundry egg. Dermatological tests confirm that it is hypoallergenic and contains no irritating chemicals that could aggravate atopic eczema. Suitable Washing eggs also from a practical point of view, because you can wash different materials in them.

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4) Clean and moist air

Dust, pollen, dust mites and other allergens aggravate the symptoms of atopic eczema. Get a home an air purifier a anti-mite beddingto help minimise allergens in your home.

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Dry air is also not good for atopic eczema in children, as it can dry out the skin, causing it to crack and itch. Humidified air helps keep the skin hydrated – it is softer and more elastic. To help you humidify the air in your room humidifiers. Because neither a purifier nor a humidifier is one of the cheapest products, you’ll be pleased to know that you can get one in one device.

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5) Balanced diet

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding babies up to six months. Breastfeeding can have a positive effect on the development of the immune system, which, as you already know, is linked to the development of atopic eczema.

Consequently, variety is most important for children. Your diet should cover all the essential nutrient groups – protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Beware, some foods can trigger an allergic reaction in children with atopic eczema, which can worsen the skin condition. The most common allergens include cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, soya, celery and sulphites (for example, in dried fruit). If you suspect a food allergy in children, see a doctor.

Although the child should get the necessary nutrients primarily from the diet, it is not a bad idea to enrich the diet with some dietary supplementsvitamins (C, D, E, A), minerals (zinc, copper, selenium), probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids.

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