Optima Dermatology on New Day Cleveland – Eczema in Children: What Parents Need to Know

September 2024

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gregory Delost from our Mentor, OH, location discusses eczema in children and what parents need to know on ‪New Day Cleveland‬. From physical discomfort, to impacting other aspects of adolescents lives, it is important for parents to understand how to improve the well-being of their child who has eczema.

5 Topics to Discuss With Your Dermatologist if Your Child Has Eczema 

Eczema in children is very common – according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 10% of children in the U.S. have eczema.  

Any parent who has experienced eczema with their child knows it can be a challenging skin condition as it causes dry, itchy skin (which is never an easy thing to manage with a child) and can be disruptive to their daily lives depending on how severe their eczema is. More severe cases of eczema can cause food and seasonal allergies, sleep disruptions, decreased focus and performance in school, and more. To help parents better understand and manage this common condition, we’ve consulted with board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Greg Delost, to address some of the most common questions parents have. 

Children Can Develop Eczema at Any Age 

Babies are known and adored for their soft skin, and the presence of eczema can be alarming for parents, especially if it causes your baby any discomfort.  

Babies often develop atopic dermatitis around the scalp (also called cradle cap) and the face, and it can manifest at any time after birth. The American Academy of Dermatology has reported findings from studies that show eating a healthy diet while pregnant and breastfeeding in the first four months of life may reduce the likelihood that your baby will develop eczema; however, there is no proven way to prevent your baby from having eczema.  

Children can develop eczema anytime between birth and age 17, and the CDC reports that the largest percentage of children with eczema in the U.S. are between the ages of 6 and 11. 

If your child is diagnosed with eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, you likely have a number of questions and concerns. Eczema is a chronic condition, so it can be treated but not cured. If your child develops eczema, know that it is highly common and the most important next step is to figure out a treatment plan. There are different approaches to treat it that are dependent on your child’s age and the severity of their condition.   

The following are 5 topics you should discuss with your child’s dermatologist to ensure you have a plan for managing their eczema and helping alleviate their symptoms.  

1. What Could be Causing My Child’s Eczema? 

There is no singular known cause of eczema but, there are different potential triggers that can cause it to flare up, and if you can identify a trigger, you can intervene and ideally reduce the eczema reaction. Some triggers are bodily in nature; others are environmental or lifestyle triggers: 

• Sweat 

• Saliva that repeatedly wets and then dries on the skin 

• Dry air that sucks moisture from the skin 

• Exposure to cigarette smoke or known allergens such as pollen or pet dander 

• A reaction to laundry detergent, fabric softener, bath products or skincare products such as moisturizers or sunscreens 

In each case, there are ways to mitigate or reduce the trigger to help alleviate eczema symptoms; for example, switching laundry or bath products, or keeping your baby’s face dry from saliva around the mouth.  

2. Can I Treat My Child’s Eczema at Home? 

You can easily incorporate skincare best practices into your child’s routine to help alleviate or reduce their eczema symptoms. Some recommendations for at-home healthy habits include: 

• Bathing them with lukewarm water and fragrance-free shampoos and soaps 

• Washing your child’s skin completely to remove shampoo or soap residues  

• Applying ointment or a fragrance-free moisturizing cream to your child’s skin following bathtime while the skin is still damp 

• Dressing your child in soft fabrics that are 100% cotton to reduce irritation 

• Washing your child’s clothing with fragrance-free detergent and skipping the use of dryer sheets or fabric softener 

In more severe eczema cases, your child’s dermatologist might recommend a diluted bleach bath to help remove bacteria and reduce inflammation of the skin. Be sure to consult with a dermatologist and obtain specific directions before administering a bleach bath. 

3. What if My Child Develops an Infection? 

Because of the itchy, irritating nature of eczema on the skin, children are more prone to scratch and break the skin, exposing them to bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  

Keep an eye out for reddening, crusty, pussy, or oozy skin – these symptoms are indicative of a larger issue like infection. If you notice your child’s eczema is worsening or changing in appearance, consult a dermatologist right away.  If your child’s eczema does become infected, your dermatologist will likely prescribe an antibiotic or antiviral medication.  

It is also important to be aware of the atopic triad, a term used to describe the coexistence of atopic dermatitis (i.e., eczema), asthma, and allergies, like allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, also known as hay fever. Individuals with one atopic condition, can increase risk of developing another. Asthma is an obstructive lung disease that can cause difficulty breathing, usually triggered by environmental irritants. Allergic rhinitis is a nasal inflammation typically caused by airborne allergens, like pollen, dust, or animal hair. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include frequent sneezing, and a runny or itchy nose.  

If your child is experiencing additional symptoms of asthma and hay fever, consult with your dermatologist to develop a treatment plan.  

4. Will My Child’s Eczema Go Away? 

As we know, eczema can develop at any time from birth through the teenage years. Many children who develop eczema in the first years of their lives tend to outgrow their eczema by age 4, but there are those for whom the condition continues into their adult lives.  

While there is no way to know whether your child will continue to suffer from eczema symptoms as they grow up, the more you know and understand about their specific condition, the better equipped you both will be to manage it going forward. 

5. What’s the Best Treatment Plan for My Child’s Eczema? 

It’s important to work with a board-certified dermatologist to establish the best treatment plan for your child. It will be based on your child’s age, the severity of their eczema, and any other factors such as known allergens or any other health condition.  

There are a number of treatments that are highly effective at managing eczema symptoms that you should discuss with your child’s dermatologist. These include: 

• Topical steroids or corticosteroids: These prescription medicated creams and ointments can help reduce inflammation and heal irritated skin. Your child’s dermatologist will prescribe the right strength medication for their eczema, as well as a frequency for application. When prescribed by a dermatologist and used correctly, topical steroids are very safe and effective for treating eczema in children. 

• Non-steroid eczema medications: There are a number of over-the-counter creams and ointments developed to treat skin irritation caused by eczema. Consult with your child’s doctor or dermatologist before administering these products as they may not be as effective as a prescription steroid or corticosteroid at alleviating symptoms.  

• Biologic therapies: Biologics are oral medicines that target the part of the immune system that is causing eczema. Eczema is not an autoimmune disease, but it can cause the immune system to overreact, leading to itchy, red skin, and suppressing the immune system can help alleviate these symptoms. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved a biologic therapy called Dupilumab for treating eczema in children ages 6 and older. Your child’s dermatologist may recommend this option for moderate to severe eczema that is not responding to other treatments.  

• Antihistamine medicines: Children are more prone to scratch their eczema, which can make it worse or lead to infection, and administering an antihistamine medication at bedtime can make your child more drowsy and reduce the likelihood that they will scratch their skin. Antihistamines will not typically reduce the itch itself, but your child’s dermatologist may recommend it to complement other treatment options. 

Eczema in children is treatable, and can be effectively managed with both medicated solutions and self-directed care, such as a healthy skincare routine and identifying and avoiding allergens and triggers. 

Your first step in treating and managing your child’s eczema should be speaking with a dermatologist about these 5 important topics. At Optima Dermatology, our expert, board-certified dermatologists specialize in skin conditions in children and know the best approach to treating and managing your child’s eczema. 

Request an appointment to discuss the best treatment plan for your eczema.