Eczema (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) is a painful skin condition suffered by up to one in three babies or young children.

Australia has one of the highest incidences of eczema world-wide. The skin disease is most prevalent in children, with up to 90% developing symptoms by age five and 60% of these developing the condition in their first 12 months of life

It is a red and often scaly rash that is extremely itchy, causing distress to both the child and their parents. Often this rash can weep or turn into sores on the skin and it’s not uncommon for infection to occur.

There are a number of triggers causing eczema in babies and young children including allergies and food intolerances, but also viruses, infections and even teething can cause an eczema flare up.

While there are many eczema treatments available which aim to make the sufferer as comfortable as possible, there is no cure as such. It is a matter of determining and eliminating triggers, inconjunction with vigilant and regular application of creams to help keep the skin moist and protected.

In addition to treatments available from doctors and pharmacies, there are ways to further help your child to manage their eczema. These include:

• Keeping children cool by not wearing too many layers of clothing or having heaters on too high or all the time.
• Using room humidifiers during winter months if heaters are used alot.
• Dressing children in soft, comfortable cotton, bamboo or hemp clothing that will not rub and further aggrevate their skin.
• Bathing children in warm/cool water (not hot) and not more than once every day or so.
• Avoiding any bath products that are scented or produce bubbles. The ingredients that do this are notorious for drying the skin out.
• Washing clothes in eucalyptus oil (instead of detergents/bleach/softeners).
• Avoiding swimming in chorinated pools or at least applying barrier creams liberally before and afterwards.

It is also common for baby sleep to suffer, as these babies or toddler have difficulty sleeping as their skin gets hot, aggrevating the need to itch and scratch and causing them to be unable to sleep for long periods of time without waking themselves.

It has been found that by minimising the ability to scratch themselves by using a Bamboo Bubby Bag, that eczema babies and toddlers are able to sleep better as well as not causing further damage to their already inflammed skin.

While the treatment of eczema in babies and toddlers is an exhausting and emotional journey for parents the good news is that research has shown that 50% of children diagnosed before 12 months will simply grow out of the condition by the time they turn 5 years old.

It is a matter of minimising the impact of the condition on your child’s life as much as possible by combining treatments with other management techniques.