Doublebase and your child
How to manage eczema in infants and children
While caring for an infant or child with eczema can be upsetting, there are some simple tips that may help soothe your little one.
- Keep baths or showers short, in warm (not hot) water.
- Use non-soap, unscented cleansers and pat the skin dry, applying emollients immediately afterwards.
- Using a bath oil or bath emollient is a personal choice and many parents find them a soothing way to cleanse their child as well as providing a lasting barrier of moisturising oil.
- Try to keep your child’s bedroom cool, as getting hot and sweaty can make eczema worse.
- Keep your child’s fingernails short and smooth to prevent skin damage from scratching.
- Wearing light, breathable gloves in bed will help protect the skin if scratching at night is a problem
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of water which will help keep the skin hydrated.
- Try to eliminate known allergens from the house, e.g. cigarette smoke, pollen, dust.
- Wearing soft, breathable clothes, made from materials such as cotton and linen, is preferable to harsh, scratchy and warm materials, such as polyester and wool.
- Apply an unperfumed emollient to the affected area(s) several times a day, as and when needed.
- Ensure that the emollient is applied in the direction of hair growth to avoid clogging hair follicles.
For more hints on caring for children with eczema, visit the National Eczema Society at eczema.org/children-eczema