Itching comes from the body’s defense system (the immune system) responding to a trigger, such as an allergen or irritation. As the skin barrier is disrupted in eczema, an itchy child may scratch, breaking the skin and making things worse. Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed, itchy, and dry. Itching can be uncontrollable and intense. As the skin is broken, it becomes more susceptible to infection with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A child with eczema may scratch vigorously enough to cause bleeding, crusting, or open sores. The areas most commonly affected are the insides of elbows and behind knees, wrists, ankles, neck, face, and scalp. Numerous minor scratches can blend into one more extensive rash that increases inflammation. Scratching also increases time spent scratching per day (habituation) which causes further disruption of standard sleep patterns. Let’s know about eczema and how I stopped my child from crossing.
What is eczema?
-Eczema causes the skin to become inflamed, dry, and itchy. It is a common skin condition that can affect any age group but generally appears in infancy or early childhood.
-It most commonly presents on the face (cheeks, forehead), inside of elbows and knees, hands and feet/toes.
-Other possible presentations include trunk (trunk of arm pit-axilla region especially), neck folds (plica submucosa), flexures (armpits, wrist creases).
-Eczema is an inflammatory disease caused by various factors, including “Vasculitis” – inflammation of blood vessels causing swelling or redness in the affected area, which results in itching. Genetic makeup may also be a contributory factor.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
Symptoms include:
What are the leading causes of eczema in children?
How can scratching make your child’s eczema worse?
How to stop my child from scratching his eczema?
Use moisturizers
The most critical factor in managing eczema is to keep the skin well hydrated by using lotions or creams. Moisturizing can help reduce itching and pain, decrease inflammation, make the skin less itchy and prevent dryness that leads to cracking. Lotions are typically preferred over creams because they tend to be more easily absorbed into the skin. The use of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on topical treatment has not provided added benefits. Still, it may be helpful for some children who need extra moisture on some regions of their body, such as fingertips or toes, where there is limited access between clothing and the surface of the skin.
Apply topical treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to the skin to help reduce inflammation and itching. The most common ingredients include corticosteroids (steroids), calcineurin inhibitors, and pimecrolimus. A doctor will choose a medication based on age, symptoms, and health history.
Avoid triggers
It is also essential for parents to help their children avoid known irritants or allergens that may cause a reaction. This may include keeping them away from pets with fur, cigarette smoke, dry weather, and certain foods.
Bathe in cool water
Daily bathing is necessary for cleaning the skin but should be done using cool or lukewarm water. Warm or hot water can irritate the skin. Bathing too frequently may strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and chapping, which can cause more itching and scratching.
Avoid picking at the skin.
Picking at the itchy areas should be avoided since this will only worsen the symptoms because it breaks down the skin barrier. The use of emollients (moisturizers) before bedtime and gentle handling of the affected area may help reduce picking behavior. Be sure to wash hands carefully after applying topical treatment or hand cream to limit the spread of infection from other family members who may touch these areas during the day.
Identify and avoid allergens and irritants.
It is essential to try and identify any allergens or irritants that may be causing a reaction and avoid them if possible. This may include exposure to cigarette smoke, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, foods, and harsh soaps or detergents. If your child is allergic to something, you will need to find out and avoid it. If your child reacts to a chemical or environmental factor, limit his exposure.
Keep your child’s fingernails short and clean.
It is also essential to trim your child’s fingernails every few days to reduce scratching. Be sure to use a nail file or clippers instead of scissors, so you do not cause more damage by cutting into the skin underneath the nails. If the fingers are affected, try putting socks on their hands at night to prevent picking.
Keep your home clean.
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in dust, including mattresses, blankets, and stuffed toys. Their feces can trigger allergies or eczema flare-ups. You can keep them under control by regularly cleaning bedding and soft toys in hot water (above 130 degrees Fahrenheit), killing the mites. Try washing all bedding weekly and vacuuming and damp-dusting furniture every few days.
Give your child a stress ball to squeeze.
Stress can aggravate eczema symptoms. If your child seems stressed out, try giving him a stress ball or other toy to squeeze. Encourage him to take breaks throughout the day to relax and calm down. If the eczema is located on his face, you may also want to consider using a humidifier in his room at night to add moisture to the air.
Apply cold compresses
If the itching is severe, you can apply a cold compress (a cloth soaked in ice water) for a few minutes to help numb the area and provide relief.
Wear gloves at night
This will prevent your child from scratching his eczema while he is sleeping. Gloves should be worn with a heavy cotton pair on top of them to ensure the skin is protected from nicking and breaking.
Drink Plenty of fluids
Children need to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help keep their skin hydrated. This will also help flush toxins from the body and reduce the likelihood of a reaction.
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, and inflamed. It is a common problem that affects both children and adults. There is no cure for eczema, but treatments can help control the symptoms. The most important thing parents can do to help their child with eczema is avoid triggers that may cause a reaction. This includes keeping them away from pets with fur, cigarette smoke, dry weather, and certain foods. If your child is allergic to something, you will need to find out and avoid it. If your child reacts to a chemical or environmental factor, limit his exposure.
Here are the ways you can prevent eczema itching in your child by natural remedies:
Allergies can be nuisance, causing sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. For those who suffer… Read More
Homeopathy is form of alternative medicine that has been around for centuries. It is… Read More
Homeopathy is form of alternative medicine that has been used for centuries to treat… Read More
The world is facing an environmental crisis, and it’s up to us to make a… Read More
The world is facing an environmental crisis. Climate change, pollution, and resource depletion are all… Read More
The concept of fair trade has been around for centuries, but it has recently gained… Read More