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Dermatitis is is a reaction by the skin to either an allergen (a substance which causes an allergic reaction) or an irritant (a substance which irritates the body or skin in some way), depending on whether the substance exposed to the skin or body causes an allergic reaction or is an irritant (without an allergy).
Eczema is a very common skin condition that can affect up to 10% of all young babies and toddlers, which normally starts in the first year of the babies' life. There are a few types of eczema
Eczema is mostly caused by an allergen.
Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis.
- Symptoms of dermatitis and eczema
- Common triggers of dermatitis and eczema
- Treatment of dermatitis and eczema
Symptoms of dermatitis (and eczema)
Both forms of dermatitis (and eczema) cause the following symptoms of the skin:
- Blisters
- Inflammation
- Itchiness
- Rash, which can cover small parts of the body, to the whole body
- Redness
- Scaling (in eczema only)
- Weeping of the skin (in eczema only)
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Common triggers of dermatitis and eczema (allergens and irritants)
There are a number of allergens which can cause dermatitis (or eczema):
- Dust mites - these pests in dust can cause dermatitis
- Medications - especially those which are rubbed into the skin
- Nickel - a metal, which is found in fashion jewellery
- Pets - hair and dander from pets can cause dermatitis
- Plants - certain plants
- Rubber - any type of rubber items (including elastic bands and watch straps)
There are a number of irritants which can cause dermatitis (and eczema):
- Chemicals - many type of chemical substances can irritate the skin
- Laundry powder (or liquid) - many laundry powders (or liquids) can irritate the skin as they can contain harsh chemicals which can irritate the baby's skin when they wear the clothes that have been washed in them
- Lotions and creams - many lotions and creams (even those aimed at baby skin) contain strong chemicals which can irritate their gentle skin
- Softeners - many softeners use harsh chemicals, which can irritate the baby's skin when they wear the clothes washed with softeners
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Treatment of dermatitis (and eczema)
Dermatitis (and eczema) is normally treated by:
- Antihistamines - these are used in more severe cases to reduce itching and inflammation and help the baby (or toddler) sleep better
- Avoiding the allergen or irritant - the baby or toddler should not be exposed to the substance which is causing the dermatitis (or eczema)
- Avoid using harsh soap, laundry powder (or liquid) - if dermatitis (or eczema) is present, any regular soap or laundry powder (and liquid) will just dry out and irritate the baby or toddler's skin even further, so use certified organic soap and laundry powder (or liquid) made especially for babies
- Emollients (eczema only) - emollients are generally baby lotions and oils, which are used to keep the baby's skin more moist and prevent the dryness of the skin which is a problem in eczema
- Non-allergenic bedding - use non-allergenic bedding in the baby's bed to help reduce allergic reactions and wash all the bedding at 60°C (140°F) to remove any dust mites
- Sunshine - expose all bedding to direct sunshine (on a clothes line) for most of the day, once a week, after washing
- Wash toys - any fluffy toys need to be washed before they are given to the baby (or toddler) and washed on a regular basis after that
- Wood floors - it may help the baby (or toddler) to live in an environment which is dust (and allergen) free, so removing carpet throughout the whole house is recommended and either have wood floors or some other hard flooring to help reduce exposure to dust
If the dermatitis (or eczema) is severe or does not resolve very quickly, an appointment with a medical doctor may be required.
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