What should be done about infant eczema in the summer?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 02, 2024
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If the baby has eczema, the hot weather and increased sweating during summer can easily aggravate the condition. Therefore, it is essential to keep the child cool. If it is hot outside and the child is sweating profusely, try to keep the child indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned room. However, the air in air-conditioned rooms is quite dry, which can also worsen eczema. In such cases, it is necessary to use a humidifier, which can effectively prevent worsening of eczema due to heat and excessive sweating during summer. Additionally, even in summer, it is important to keep the child's skin moisturized. If the eczema is particularly severe, it is also necessary to use mild corticosteroid creams under the guidance of a doctor. Children who are formula-fed should continue with amino acid-based formula and hydrolyzed protein formula.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What medicine should be used for infant eczema?

Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease that is fairly common in infants and young children. When eczema occurs, the affected area typically shows skin redness, followed by rashes and rough skin. Some may experience scaling and exudation, and the itching can be quite intense for the child. Eczema, as the name might suggest, is not caused by moist skin but rather by dry skin in the affected area, hence moisturizing makes up a significant part of the treatment. A thick layer of moisturizer specifically designed for infants should be applied to the child, three to four times a day. Based on the severity of the eczema, mild steroid creams can be used to effectively control the condition. For breastfed children, the mother should avoid consuming beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and fermented rice wine, as these might exacerbate the condition. For children on formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, amino acid-based formulas or extensively hydrolyzed protein formulas should be given.

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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 Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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What is baby eczema?

Pediatric eczema is usually caused by several factors. First, genetic factors are serious; second, it is due to immune function. Children with weaker immune systems are particularly prone to eczema; third, it is due to environmental conditions, specifically the humidity of the environment. For example, the area around a child's diaper or the indoor air might be humid, and these conditions can lead to the development of eczema in children. Typically, due to weaker immunity in children, once they contract eczema, it tends to recur and persist. Therefore, in addition to symptomatic treatment with eczema creams or traditional Chinese medicine washes, it is best to avoid using hormonal medications. At the same time, it is important to keep the skin of the affected area dry and avoid damp conditions as much as possible to prevent recurrence.

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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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When will baby eczema get better?

Infant eczema is a common skin disease in infants and young children, also known as atopic dermatitis or a hereditary skin disease, and is related to factors such as allergies and the environment. Most cases of infant eczema gradually improve between the ages of one and three. Some children with allergic constitutions may continue to experience eczema throughout childhood, adolescence, and even into adulthood. However, for the vast majority of children, eczema resolves by the age of one to three. Once eczema is diagnosed, it is essential to maintain skin hydration and avoid contact with allergens. When necessary, under the guidance of a doctor at a hospital, use of mild corticosteroid creams may be recommended to control the outbreaks of eczema.