Eczema is a well known skin condition that affects 10 to 20% of all children. What causes eczema is still unknown. However, a history of eczema, asthma or hay fever in the family, usually means a child will be more susceptible to developing one or several of these afflictions. Sadly there is no real cure for eczema, but there are several ways to keep the condition under control. In 50% of all cases the child will no longer be bothered by eczema when the age of two is reached and more then 85% will be free of the affliction when the age of is reached.
Eczema usually manifests as a red, hot, dry and itching rash that affects one or more parts on the face and body and varies between mild, moderate or severe. Usually there are scratch marks on the skin due to the itching. Those scratched areas are likely to become infected with harmful bacteria and this in turn will worsen the condition. In case of an infection, a child may be in need of a course of oral antibiotics.
At the start it is usual the facial area that is affected by the condition. The rash appears on the cheeks and chin, which will start to get itchy, very dry and flare up red. This condition quickly gets worse due to the touching because of th itch and by dribbling. Due to this the skin gets irritated as the child ages, the eczema most likely moves from the facial area to other parts of the body and is usually less severe.
How to treat the eczema
Children afflicted with eczema usually suffer from a dry skin, which in turn makes the itchiness worse. dermatologist often suggested moisturizers as treatments for eczema that are used to avoid the drying out of the skin and those should be used often. Moisturizers are very important for managing eczema in order to keep it under control. They can be used alone, but can also be used in combination with steroid and tar creams. All are used as often as required in order to prevent the skin from drying up, which usually means applying them three to five times on a daily basis. They are used all over the face and body, not only the areas where the eczema has manifested itself. They should be used on a regularly and the treatments should be continued until the eczema has disappeared. The child in question should be encouraged to participate understand the need for the use of moisturizers. If any of the used creams start irritating the skin, its use should be stopped at once.
Dermatologist may also suggest a cortisone cream or ointment for treating areas of eczema on the face and body. These ointments help to soothe inflammatory skin and reduce the redness caused by the eczema. Cortisone is a natural body hormone and should used exactly as prescribed. When used correctly it is safe to use. However, one should avoid strong cortisone ointments on the facial area and flexure’s, Hydrocortisone is recommended for those areas. For treating eczema ointments are to be preferred over other products, as they are more moisturizing than most available creams.