Can calamine lotion be used for baby eczema?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Infant eczema is a common skin condition in babies and toddlers. Generally, we do not recommend the use of calamine lotion for eczema, as although it has an itch-relieving effect when applied locally, it can make the skin even drier. Therefore, if the skin is itchy, temporarily using calamine lotion is possible, but it is not recommended for long-term use in treating eczema. The treatment of eczema consists of 60%-70% moisturizing and 30%-40% may involve the use of mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. Overall, moisturizing is the main treatment for eczema, while hormone therapy can be a supportive treatment. Calamine lotion can be temporarily used to relieve itching, but it is not recommended as a standard treatment method for eczema. Additionally, for infants who are on formula, it is important to use hydrolyzed protein formula, and if breastfeeding, the mother’s diet needs to be carefully managed.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric eczema should be treated in which department?

Children with eczema primarily exhibit symptoms of red, oozing plaques on the facial skin and the skin throughout the body, and even a seborrheic dermatitis-like appearance. Pediatric eczema is classified into dry eczema and the common exudative eczema. Once a child has eczema, the general treatment involves moisturizing care, and attention should be paid to the child's diet. For severe cases of eczema, medical consultation is necessary. Pediatric eczema falls under pediatric dermatology, so visiting the pediatric dermatology department at a children's hospital is appropriate. If a general hospital lacks a pediatric dermatology department, pediatricians also have extensive experience in treating pediatric eczema, so visiting a pediatric outpatient clinic is also advisable.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Can mugwort be used for infant eczema?

Mugwort has the effects of removing cold, warming the meridians, and regulating qi. It has certain antiviral and bactericidal effects and can have a certain therapeutic effect on treating eczema. Mugwort treatment for eczema can take two methods: medicinal baths and oral administration. Generally, children use medicinal baths for treatment, but mugwort cannot completely cure eczema; it can only help alleviate the condition. Therefore, it is important for children to maintain a light diet, avoid contact with allergens, and it is best to go to the hospital for detailed and scientific diagnosis and treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Can olive oil be used for infant eczema?

It is not recommended to apply olive oil for baby eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. The treatment of eczema includes two aspects. The first is localized moisturizing, and the second is the use of mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. Olive oil, being an oily substance, is not suitable for eczema. Moisturizing for eczema should be done with a baby-specific moisturizer, which can effectively alleviate the dryness of the skin. Additionally, if olive oil is used, it can make the skin particularly greasy and impede skin breathability, hence it is not advised for use on children. It is very important to use a baby moisturizer.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Why does infantile eczema cause asthma?

There are many causes of infantile eczema, mainly indicating that the baby is experiencing allergic phenomena. These allergies can be due to internal factors or exposure to certain allergens or food allergies, all leading to eczema. Often, children with this type of eczema have an allergic constitution, making them prone to developing asthma. Therefore, when babies with asthma come for a consultation, it is routine to ask if they have a history of eczema, as having eczema often suggests an allergic constitution. It's not that infantile eczema causes asthma, but rather, babies with this constitution are prone to asthma attacks.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Where does eczema occur in children?

Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common type of skin lesion in children. It mainly manifests as proliferative and exudative, and it is inflammatory. Infant eczema can appear all over the body. However, most children have it on their faces, and some children have it on their chests, particularly severe cases can have eczema all over their bodies. Once eczema is diagnosed, it is essential to first moisturize the affected skin areas to relieve the child's discomfort, and then use mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. For facial eczema, parents must apply a thick layer of baby moisturizer. Additionally, eczema in the ear area, especially inside the external auditory canal, might sometimes discharge yellowish fluid. Therefore, it is crucial to apply moisturizer thickly in these areas. These areas can cause significant discomfort for the child, so proactive treatment is very important.