How can you tell if your baby has eczema? It often shows up as crusty, red patches on a baby's skin. Quite often, it occurs within a baby's first few months. Fortunately, many infants outgrow and resolve baby eczema rather quickly, as eczema in babies is very common and treatable.

Not certain that baby itching or irritated rashes on a baby is eczema? A licensed physician can address this issue for sure. However, the following points can help any parent understand what symptoms to look for in order to address baby eczema.

What Baby Eczema May Look Like

Eczema in babies can appear as patches or dry, irritated, or red skin. Most often, eczema in babies results in rough skin as well. Babies can have eczema pretty much anywhere on their body, but parents should always check their check and joints. Eczema in babies frequently affects their check and the joints of their legs and arms.

Baby Eczema Causes

Eczema in babies can be hereditary. If a parent has eczema, baby eczema is more likely in their offspring. Baby eczema can also result from problems in the baby's skin barrier, which permit moisture to escape from the baby's skin and allows germs to enter the baby's skin.

Eczema in babies occurs when the baby's body does not produce enough fatty cells. Baby eczema will therefore result when the baby's skin loses too much water and becomes very dry.

Can Eczema in Babies Go Away by Itself?

Eczema in babies can, most often, go away by itself and most kids will outgrow eczema before they start school. Though it is not very common, some babies will have eczema when they are kids and even into adulthood. They may not have symptoms for months or even years, but they still will have dry and irritated skin. Baby eczema is different for each baby, but there are some common things that can trigger eczema which parents avoid to prevent eczema in babies: irritants, such as wool or polyester clothes and soaps with a strong perfume or laundry smell; stress; dry skin; allergens, such as cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, or certain fruit depending on the baby's diet; and heat and sweat.

For baby eczema to be less irritating for the baby, it is important to dress a baby in loose clothes that are made of cotton. Also, washing clothes before putting them on the baby and using laundry soap that is free from fragrances can also help soothe eczema in babies and make the baby eczema less irritating for the baby.

Medicines

Eczema in babies can be addressed with over-the-counter products, from hydrocortisone creams to natural and herbal supplements. Of course, there are always medicines that require a prescription from a doctor. As babies have very fragile and sensitive skin, parents often start will all-natural, herbal balms and ointments for baby eczema. If other treatments do not work, parents should consult a doctor about the possibilities of prescription drugs.

Consulting a Doctor

If baby eczema does not begin to subside within a week or two of starting all-natural, herbal balms and ointments, consulting a doctor for the baby eczema may be the best option. Also, eczema in babies can make them more likely to pick up other germs, so do not hesitate to consult a doctor if cold sores or blisters appear on top of the baby eczema.