How to treat infant eczema?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Infant eczema is a common skin problem in infants and toddlers, also known as atopic dermatitis. The first thing to pay attention to when a child has eczema is to moisturize the affected skin. Eczema is caused by dry skin, so moisturizing is particularly important. On top of moisturizing, under the guidance of a doctor at the hospital, we can use some mild corticosteroid creams. Through such measures, eczema can generally be well controlled.

However, the biggest characteristic of eczema is that it is particularly prone to recurrence, so for children, we must treat it through diet and allergens. For children who drink formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, the child should be fed amino acid formula or hydrolyzed protein formula. For breastfed children, the diet of the nursing mother needs to be controlled – beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and foods containing distiller's grains should be avoided.

(The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Is eczema contagious?

Infectious diseases are communicable diseases caused by the infection of pathogenic microorganisms or parasites, whereas eczema is an allergic reaction of the body itself and thus is not contagious. In daily life, whether it is through conversation, sharing utensils or bath items, or even direct contact with the rash of an affected individual, transmission does not occur, and family members of the patient do not need to take any protective measures. If you are around someone with eczema, there is no need for caution or discrimination, which is completely unnecessary. Some might worry whether scrotal eczema can be transmitted sexually. Sexually transmitted diseases are primarily transmitted through sexual contact or activities similar to sexual behaviors, while scrotal eczema is a common inflammatory reaction of the scrotal skin, triggered by a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction due to both internal and external factors, and it is not contagious. Therefore, scrotal eczema is not a sexually transmitted disease.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Treatment of Vulvar Eczema

For the treatment of vulvar eczema, I believe the most important thing is to keep the vulva clean and dry. Regular cleaning of the vulva is necessary, and it should be kept as dry as possible. Additionally, try to avoid using sanitary pads as much as possible, because they can reduce breathability. Our clothing should also be as loose and breathable as possible, and avoid wearing synthetic underwear. Moreover, if there is itching and pain associated with vulvar eczema, topical corticosteroids can be applied to the vulva to relieve these symptoms and help heal the eczema. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Can people with eczema eat onions?

People with eczema should not eat onions. Eczema is caused by various internal and external factors, leading to inflammation in the superficial dermis and epidermis. Clinically, the acute lesions primarily consist of vesicular rashes accompanied by itching and a pronounced tendency for exudation. Chronic eczema is primarily characterized by lichenification and is prone to recurrence. Individuals with eczema should avoid onions because onions are spicy and irritating foods. Consuming onions can exacerbate the symptoms of eczema. During the treatment of eczema, patients should not eat foods that are hot in nature, nor spicy, irritating, or allergenic foods. A mild diet should be maintained, drinking plenty of water, and consuming more vegetables and fruits. Additionally, treatment of eczema involves protecting the skin; using moisturizing creams to nourish the skin and enhance its resistance. While bathing, it’s also important to ensure the water is not too hot and to avoid using alkaline soaps or detergents that could damage the skin’s epidermis.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to treat infantile seborrheic dermatitis?

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis is also a type of eczema, which is a common skin condition in children and is categorized as atopic dermatitis. The treatment principles for seborrheic dermatitis are the same as for other types of eczema: first, the affected skin must be cleaned thoroughly, and then a thick layer of moisturizer should be applied. For severe cases of seborrheic dermatitis, it is recommended to use about 250g of moisturizer per week, so a thick layer should be applied daily to keep the skin moist. Additionally, depending on the situation, medications such as topical creams for treating pediatric eczema, like desonide cream, may be used. In instances where the infantile seborrheic dermatitis has formed a thick, yellow crust, local application of tea oil or olive oil can be helpful. This should be left on the affected area for about an hour before washing off with a shower gel, followed by moisturizing the cleaned area. With the aforementioned treatments, seborrheic dermatitis can generally be well-controlled. Furthermore, infants who consume formula might need amino acid formula or hydrolyzed protein formula depending on the condition. If the child is breastfed, the mother should avoid dairy, meat, nuts, seafood, and alcoholic beverages.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What to eat for eczema

Patients with eczema can choose some foods that have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness and relieving itching, strengthening the spleen and aiding digestion, cooling the blood and calming the liver. However, dietary therapy only plays a supporting role in treatment and is not a professional method. Therefore, patients with eczema must actively seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor.