How to care for baby eczema that has broken skin

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on April 21, 2025
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Babies develop eczema due to localized dry skin, which results in itchy skin. The child may scratch the itchy area, possibly causing the eczema to break open. Once broken, it is prone to secondary bacterial infections. To address a secondary bacterial infection, first, disinfect the area locally, then apply an antibiotic ointment to the child, such as mupirocin or erythromycin ointment. After the lesion heals, actively maintain moisture in the skin. If necessary, under the guidance of a hospital doctor, use mild corticosteroid ointments. Generally, eczema can be well-controlled. Additionally, for children on formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, feed them amino acid-based formula or hydrolyzed protein formula. If the child is breastfed, the mother should be mindful of her diet and avoid consuming beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and fermented rice wine. (Please consult a doctor before using any specific medications and do not self-medicate.)

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Does scabies transmit from mother to baby?

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with the human papillomavirus, commonly referred to as HPV. There are many types of HPV, which can cause various conditions including genital warts, flat warts, common warts, or cervical cancer. Genital warts are almost always transmitted through sexual contact. Additionally, they can also be spread through close personal contact, blood transmission, and from mother to child. Mother-to-child transmission primarily occurs when the virus is transmitted to the newborn through the birth canal during delivery, leading to the infection of the newborn with genital warts.

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Can eczema spread?

Generally, based on the distribution characteristics of eczema rashes, we can divide it into localized eczema and generalized eczema. Localized eczema occurs in specific areas, such as the hands, ears, vulva, perianal area, breasts, elbow pits, popliteal fossae, and lower legs. These eczema cases generally do not spread but are relatively fixed. Generalized eczema, however, can be locally scattered or spread throughout the body. When care is improper, due to excessive scratching, scalding with hot water, failure to treat promptly or incorrectly, excessive use of steroids, or if it is accompanied by other internal diseases (such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc.) that are not well controlled, then the range of the eczema rashes might spread throughout the body.

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Can infants with eczema take baths?

Infant eczema is an allergic disease, and its skin can become secondarily infected, especially if cleanliness is not maintained, making it prone to bacterial infection. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to hygiene with eczema, and next, some anti-allergy medications should be used. If the body is very dirty, bathing is definitely possible. When bathing, it is important to ensure the water temperature is appropriate. If there are broken areas on the skin, it might be necessary to use boiled water, cooled to around 37 degrees Celsius, for bathing the baby, which is the best. Additionally, eczema can be treated topically with some ointments to promote its subsidence.

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How to treat baby eczema?

Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is mainly caused by an allergy to milk protein, so it is important to pay attention to the child's diet. Nursing mothers should avoid consuming beef, lamb, nuts, and seafood. Additionally, for children who are formula-fed, depending on the severity of the eczema, choose either amino acid formula or hydrolyzed protein formula. The treatment of eczema primarily involves moisturizing the skin. Therefore, applying a thick layer of moisturizer specifically designed for babies on the affected areas can be very effective in treatment. Furthermore, on top of moisturizing, under the guidance of a doctor in a hospital, a weak steroid cream can be used. With the above management, eczema can generally be controlled quickly.

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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.