Myths and Facts About Your Baby's Eczema

Eczema is a common skin problem that can make your baby's skin red, itchy, and sore. But your little bundle of joy didn't catch this rash from anybody, and they can't give it to anyone else. Babies and children with eczema often have relatives with it. Or they have family members with asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. Scientists think it could be passed down from parents' genes, but no one is sure why some children get it.

There's no cure for eczema, but that doesn't mean your baby will have sore and itchy skin forever. It tends to get better with time. Eczema goes away in some children by the time they turn 2. About half of children who get eczema outgrow it. And for those who do have eczema as adults, it is usually milder than when they were children.

Eczema got better in breastfed babies when their mothers stopped drinking milk and eating eggs, some studies have shown. Also, babies who were breastfed for at least 4 months were less likely to get eczema, especially if their moms didn't drink milk, other studies have shown.

But if you're concerned that what you or your baby is eating may be adding to their eczema, talk with your doctor and your baby’s pediatrician. Although you may want to switch things up, most eczema in babies isn’t related to breast milk or formula.

Short daily baths with lukewarm water and mild cleanser can help keep away infection and be soothing to your baby. Don't use much soap, though. And avoid bubble baths and harsh or scented soaps that will irritate their skin. After bathing your baby, rinse them off twice to remove all soap. Then apply cream or ointment within 3 minutes to lock in moisture.

It's not unusual for babies to get rashes on their chins and cheeks from drooling. But if your baby has eczema, that saliva can really irritate their sensitive skin. What can you do? Put an ointment like petroleum jelly on their chin, cheeks, and neck to create a barrier between the drool and their skin.

Loose clothing made from cotton and other natural materials will feel better on your baby's skin. Don't dress them in wool or anything scratchy. Wash their clothes before they wear them, and use mild detergents and soaps that don't have perfumes, dyes, or alcohol. Look for things that are labeled "fragrance-free," "hypoallergenic," and "for sensitive skin." Avoid "unscented," because those products can still irritate skin.

Think about how chapped your lips can become in the winter when the air is dry. That dry air also affects your baby's eczema. Using a humidifier won't help much, though. The best thing to do is keep their skin moist by applying a thick cream or ointment with every diaper change. Your baby's skin should get better in the summer when there's naturally more moisture in the air.

Babies and children with eczema may be more likely to have allergies or asthma, but eczema doesn't cause them. Half of children with eczema have asthma, and two-thirds of kids with eczema get hay fever.