Moisturising Tips for Your Baby’s Eczema Skin

Written by Jana Angeles

Eczema is a skin condition which can cause a lot of grief and stress for parents. When their baby has it, it could either range from being mild to severe; there will be times where parents will keep trying new ointments and creams to see what works. Unfortunately, eczema is an unpredictable skin condition and can worsen depending on the season. With flared up, itchy skin, babies may scream in discomfort. It’s important that parents take the time to get to know the best ways to keep their baby’s skin moisturised in managing their eczema. While using ointments and various creams can help keep eczema at bay, it’s helpful to recognise what helps soothe its symptoms. Here are some tips parents should consider when managing their baby’s eczema skin:

Regular bathing is a must

Babies with eczema need to have regular baths so that their skin is removed of the debris, which can cause their skin to flare up from the condition. It’s important that the water used for bathing is lukewarm as it can irritate and dry up eczema skin if it isn’t. The maximum time a baby with eczema should spend bathing is 10 minutes. Any longer could dehydrate the baby’s skin. When choosing products to use for bathing, it’s important to consider ones that promote moisturising benefits for the baby’s skin. After they are finished up with their bath, it’s important for parents to pat dry their skin (not rub) and add moisturiser immediately for the best results.

Consider the types of moisturisers available

There are different treatments when it comes to moisturising a baby with eczema. It just depends on the parent’s preference and if it is suited for the skin of their little one.

* Lotions: They are good because they are mild for individuals who have eczema. Since they are water-based, they evaporate quite quickly and don’t keep a barrier on the skin for it to be moisturised.

* Ointments: They often feel greasy since they leave a layer on the skin. However, they are very effective in trapping moisture, which can be beneficial for those with eczema.

* Creams: They are good because they have light application and aren’t as thick as ointments.

Keep fingernails short and/or use clothing barriers

It only makes sense to keep a baby’s fingernails short to prevent them from scratching their eczema skin. While they may feel uncomfortable from the itching and may attempt to scratch, having shorter nails could help limit further damage to their skin. During the night, parents can give their baby mittens to minimise it. However, frequently relying on mittens has its downfalls as it could affect the motor development of the baby and may indicate that their eczema is out of control. Medical treatment is recommended in this case.

Further tips to moisturise

* Parents are encouraged to moisturise their baby with eczema as soon as they finish bathing. This will help their skin lock in moisture since it is hydrated from the bath.

* When applying moisturiser, parents need to be mindful on how they apply it. It’s recommended to stroke the moisturiser downward when applying. This could help absorb the product effectively.

* Parents who have consulted a doctor in treating their baby’s eczema need to apply steroid creams and ointments prescribed to them before applying any moisturising products.

* Moisturising the baby’s skin after bath time is not enough. It’s recommended to moisturise before dressing the baby in the morning and right before their afternoon nap. The frequency in moisturising matters!

Eczema is a complex skin condition which affects babies and older people as well. Parents are encouraged to do their best in helping keep their baby comfortable and to moisturise whenever they can to minimise the effects of their skin flaring up. It is also important to seek medical advice if the eczema condition is out of control. Doctors can prescribe topical creams which can alleviate the effects of the skin condition and help the baby feel more comfortable in their own skin. It is also important to remember that there are plenty of moisturising products to choose from including ointments, creams and lotions.