How to Manage Eczema in Infants

Highlights:

Approximately 10%–20% of babies in Canada have atopic dermatitis
Applying a moisturizer regularly, using anti-inflammatory medicines, and topical steroids can help to manage eczema

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a common condition in infants and can be difficult for parents to manage.

“Atopic dermatitis affects 10%–20% of Canadian infants. Recognizing atopic dermatitis, getting it into remission, and then keeping control can be challenging for both clinicians and caregivers,” says Dr Derek Chu, assistant professor at the Division of Allergy and Immunology at McMaster University and co-chair of the upcoming American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology atopic dermatitis guidelines. “We hope these five key messages for general and specialist care providers, as well as caregivers, promote best practices for managing atopic dermatitis in infants. Atopic dermatitis affects more than just the skin and it impacts the whole family, so optimally managing atopic dermatitis at this critical stage in an infant's development is important.”

Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, non-contagious, chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is also called eczema, dermatitis or atopy.

‘Topical steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and regular moisturizer use can all be used to treat eczema.’

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Common Sites for Eczema

Infants frequently have atopic dermatitis on their cheeks, outer limbs, and trunk, but classic eczema affects the area behind the knees and in the elbow, and creases may not appear until later in childhood.

Tips to Manage Eczema in Infants

A moisturizer that patients and caregivers will use is the finest moisturizer. According to recent research, using moisturizers of any kind- lotion, cream, gel, or ointment- at least twice daily can help manage atopic dermatitis.

Since atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disorder, anti-inflammatory medication is necessary for treatment.

A Potentially New Treatment for Eczema
Treatment with bacteria naturally present on the skin can treat atopic dermatitis in adults and children.

To control flares, the lowest number of topical steroids should be applied. Applying once daily is just as beneficial as applying twice daily. When flares occur frequently, they can be avoided by taking topical treatments infrequently (for example, for two days in a row, on weekends).

Antibiotics should not be used often to treat local secondary bacterial infections, according to the evidence.

Powerful New Eczema Drug Approved by FDA
The United States Food and Drug Administration has recently approved Dupilumab injection for treating moderate-to-severe eczema.

Avoiding foods might not improve eczema and raise the risk of developing a food allergy.

Source-Medindia

Higher Maternal Age at Delivery May Cause Food Allergy in the Child
A recent study reveals that male infants and infants born to older mothers are at an increased risk for food allergies.