Symptoms and effects 

The symptoms of eczema typically develop before age 5, but close to 60% of children show no signs and symptoms by their teenage years. In addition, white people are thought to be less prone to atopic dermatitis. 

For babies who are below age 2, some of the symptoms may be:

• Cheek, forehead, and scalp rashes 

• Irritating rashes that cause sleeping problems

• Rashes that are tiny bubbles of pus 

Children that are older than two years are likely to experience:

• Rashes on the inside of elbows and behind knee creases

• Pus-filled bumpy rashes

• Rashes becoming darker or lighter 

• Dry and scaly skin in the first stages

• Lichenification from skin thickening, darkening, and developing scars from frequent scratching

• Rashes developing on the wrist, ankle, and neck. 

Ways to curb the symptoms

You should avoid bathing your child in hot water. Preferably, use lukewarm or cool water for their bath. It would also be best not to use rough washcloths/towels or rub them too hard. Simply using goat milk soap would be enough. We all know the benefits of goat milk soap and has been proven to cure skin irritations. After the bath, maybe 3 minutes later, use moisturizers that are dye-free, say lotions or creams. Dress your child in natural fabrics like cotton while avoiding tight clothes.

Do not use scent-based products that may trigger the condition's symptoms. Make sure you also keep away allergens and irritants like pollen and cigarette smoke. Keep the child's nails neat and short to avoid further inflammation or skin damage from vigorous scratching. 

Maintain cool temperatures for your baby with a wet cloth and place it on irritated areas to prevent excess sweating. If you need to take a bath and leave your child unsupervised, it is advisable to use mittens to prevent your child from hurting themselves from too much scratching. If possible, you should avoid drastic temperature changes and activity causing them to sweat. While drying your child after a shower, pat the water dry from the skin or just air dry it. Other natural ways to control this condition are aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, or coconut oil.

Recommended medications for eczema

There is currently no cure for eczema; however, some treatments can be used to control the symptoms. The type of medications depend on the child's age, where the rash is situated, and the severity of the condition. Some treatments are oral, and others are to be applied to the skin. Below are some of the medicines.

Topical corticosteroid creams are inflammatory resistant treatments applied to the rash-affected areas. They help reduce itchiness and inflammation. These medicines vary in strength; therefore, you cannot use someone else's prescription as it can harm your child's skin. 

Oral medicines are given in the form of tablets. They are made to be used for a short period, and failure to take these prescriptions without using an alternative treatment may worsen your child's condition. 

Sometimes, doctors may prescribe antibiotics, but only if a skin bacteria-based infection accompanies atopic dermatitis. Antihistamines may also aid your child to a scratch-free night because of the drowsiness they give. Topical moisturizers help keep the body moisturized and are best applied 2 to 3 times a day to trap water from escaping the skin. In addition, topical anti-inflammatory medicines suppress the immune system and change how it works to rule out flares and inflammation.