10 Simple Ways to treat Eczema in Children

10 Simple Ways To Treat Eczema In Children

When it comes to treatment of eczema in babies and young children, parents have their work cut out for them! From diets and allergen monitoring to medications and skin care, we’ve definitely got a lot to think about. The good news is that there are some great ways that you can minimize the effects of eczema right now and even avoid them recurring in the future with this list of 10 simple ways to treat eczema in children. We’ve created this list based on years of experience and lots of feedback from parents of children with eczema, and we’re sure these tips will be helpful for you and your family.

1 – Wash with Care
One of the leading causes of eczema irritations in children is detergents. While we may think we’re doing a good thing when we wash our little one’s clothing, we may be adding harsh chemicals and allergens into the fabric that irritate the skin, challenge healing eczema areas, and even weaken the immune system. Choosing an all-natural, hypoallergenic detergent to wash your family’s clothing is a great way to stay away from the dyes, perfumes, and cleansers that are famous for causing issues in sensitive skin.

A great alternative to chemical detergents is soap nuts. These all natural berries contain a tough yet gentle cleansing saponin (soap like) detergent that gets clothes clean without the nasty side effects. Soap nuts last a long time and can be used over and over again making them comparable in price or even less expensive than most regular detergents.

2 – Scrub Safely
Another detergent that causes a great deal of issues with children who have eczema is soap. We all know the importance of keeping kids’ skin clean and hydrated when eczema is an issue, but what happens when the soaps we use are actually causing the problem?

A great alternative to even the most gentle detergent soaps is all natural bath oils, baby soaps, allergy-free botanical products, and milk-based soaps. These are all alternatives that many parents find success with, and they are each worth a try in your own tub to see what your little one responds to best.

3 – Say Goodbye To Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that have an appetite for sloughed off skin and skin scales. They live anywhere people can be found and tend to make their homes in cushions, pillows, mattresses, carpets, rugs, and even clothing. Dust mites can be extremely aggravating to the skin and can not only lead to irritated eczema flare ups, but can even make it easier for infections to happen since they’re not the cleanest creatures around.

To get rid of dust mites in your home, keep your children’s bedding covered in hypoallergenic covers. This prevents dust mites from setting up camp where you don’t want them. Bedding can also be washed regularly with hot water to wipe out dust mite colonies.

Thorough cleansing on a weekly basis is also helpful. A good vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping with hot water can make all the difference in the world.

4 – Understand Your Food
Knowing which foods work well with your child’s allergies and which ones cause problems is a great way to prevent eczema issues and to heal current issues fast. Working with an allergist or specialist is a great way to explore the many ways that food may be causing a problem for your child, and advanced techniques of identifying sensitivities could help you prevent having to do an elimination diet.

5 – Deep Moisturising
While both natural and medicated lotions and creams can work wonders for eczema issues, there’s a simple technique you can use to get the most out of each. Try layering a thinner hydrating cream between the skin and a heavier medicated cream. This ensures that deep moisturising happens while delivering medication and nutrients to the skin at the same time.

6 – Stay Cool
Heat, especially dry heat, is a notorious trigger for children’s’ eczema issues. Making sure that your child always has air flow, breathable clothing, and cool air is a great way to keep the skin dry while also making it easier for your child to rest easy.

7 – Wet Dressing
This is perhaps one of the most famous of all at-home treatments for eczema. Wet dressing is performed by applying a damp linen bandage over a medicated or all-natural moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated and to encourage the cream to penetrate deeply into the skin. Many parents use bandages or linen strips, while others prefer Tubifast garments which are formed to fit perfectly around each body part.

Wet wrapping has several steps, but once you learn how to do it it’s a tool you can employ any time you need it with confidence and ease.

8 – Dress Freely
Clothing can be a huge trigger for eczema flare ups because it can trap in heat, moisture, and humidity. Choosing fabrics that are light, breathable, and non-allergenic ensures that your child’s skin can breathe and stay cool while also allowing body moisture to evaporate off all day long.

Bamboo fabric is a favourite among experts and parents who deal with eczema on a daily basis. This ultra-soft fabric expands, breathes, and stays cool while being extremely gentle to the skin.

9 – Cover & Protect
Scratching is one of the most dangerous side effects of eczema flare ups in kids. Even the cleanest fingers and skin become prone to infections and inflammation due to scratching, and this can lead to a whole host of other issues in no time. If your child itches, the best thing you can do is use ScratchMeNot Mittens or Bamboo Bubby sleepers to prevent the scratching right from the beginning. Scratching is a serious matter and deserves as much attention as it takes to get it under control.

10 – Write It Out
One of the best things you can do to help control and heal your child’s eczema is to keep a journal. Not when flare ups happen and try to document things like foods, weather, clothing, and activities that may have happened shortly before things got bad. As you compile your notes, you’ll eventually see patterns that may help you stop eczema in its tracks win the simplest ways possible. Journaling can help you identify foods, fabrics, times of day, stresses, body changes, and other issues that may be eczema triggers so that you can take control and help your child feel better than ever.

By Kelly Northey
Kelly Northey is the designer of the Bamboo Bubby Bag™ a one size fits 000-2+ baby sleeping bag made from the softest blend of bamboo and organic cotton fabric, designed especially for eczema babies and toddlers. Its unique enclosed, adjustable sleeve will grow with your baby throughout their entire first 2-3 years, allowing delicate skin to heal naturally while also providing a goodnight’s sleep.

The Bamboo Bubby Bag™ if available for sale worldwide online at: www.bamboobubby.com.au
Kelly is always happy to talk more about eczema or Bamboo Bubby Bags on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bamboobubby.