How can I get rid of my baby’s eczema? Can I?
Here are some well-documented home remedies to try. But if they don’t work, a doctor or dermatologist should be consulted.
Mom’s Question:
I wonder how to get rid of my baby’s eczema?? My one-year-old baby has eczema all over her body. Her skin is dry, and it obviously itches. I have tried to moisturize it, but it doesn’t really help. It almost looks redder when I do.
Any ideas on how to keep it under control?
Faye
Easy Baby Life:
How To Get Rid Of Dry Eczema In Babies
First of all, I think you should consult a doctor to make sure that the eczema is not due to some food allergy if you haven’t already done that. For example, allergy to cow’s milk can lead to rashes – although most often in combination with belly issues. Wheat allergy (not gluten intolerance) is another possibility.
If the eczema is related to dryness rather than allergy – quite common for babies – then here are a few things you can do to mitigate your baby’s eczema:
- Avoid all soap and shampoo. Babies really don’t need any soap, and they add a lot to making their skin dry.
- Use a good moisturizing lotion on your baby’s eczema at least three times per day or more. Either buy one that is made for babies (but it has to be for very dry skin) or ask at the pharmacy or the doctor. Some good brands are Eucerin and Lubriderm. .
- You should be aware that eczema may very well look redder for a while when you start applying lotion, but that doesn’t mean that the cream is not good for her, unless eczema actually gets worse by it, of course.
- If the eczema is bad, it might be that you won’t get rid of it without using mild cortisone cream, like Hydrocortisone (the mildest you can find). If it were me, I would consult a doctor first, though, to make sure I use an ointment that is not too strong and also to get directions for how often to apply it.
- Other things to remember are to completely avoid pool baths (with chlorine) and make all baths short (and with a dash of baby oil in the water).
- Strong detergents, moist from saliva or sweat, wool, and cigarette smoke should also be avoided.
- If your daughter spends a lot of time inside, then a humidifier in the room where she sleeps may also help.
I hope this helps!
Paula
More On Baby Rashes
- Indepth Guide to Eczema: The Itchy Rash That Kids Keep Scratching
- Round Rash On Baby’s Butt – The Diapers?
- Red Bumps On Baby’s Face And Legs: 7 Reasons to Check
Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.
My son is 11 months has eczema since 2 months, I have tried so many different creams it is different for every child. I recently tried Bepanten nappy cream and it works really well I haven’t had to use steroid creams since. I also use Oilatum in his bath. His pediatrician says he should grow out of it by 2/3
My ten-month-old had a rash on her feet so thick and crusty it was heartbreaking. Two dermatologists later, who never even touched her, lots of chemicals and no relief. She couldn’t sleep and she rubbed her feet together till they bled.
We treated her for eczema, scabies, and contact dermatitis. Changed soap, detergent, sheets, isolated all bedding and clothing for thirty days, pulled up carpet, you name it we did it.
I work in the local ER and one of the docs said to soak her in the tub for fifteen to 20 minutes until the water has gotten her really wet. We cleaned her with tea tree wash and before she was even dry we put Crisco shortening on her feet. We also used the Crisco on her entire body from the neck down, within seventy-two hours the crust on her feet was gone and little shinny feet were showing through. Within a week she was clear as a bell.
Now we use Crisco if we notice a patch showing up but normally we put shea butter on her wet body. Every day!!!
Now we only bathe her every other day but keep her nice and creamy. On a revisit to the useless dermo, I told him about Crisco and he said oh yes, very good for the skin, ten months too late..!
My one year old has had eczema since he was born… It progressed from milk spots… to dermatitis to eczema. I went to the doctor and then onto a dermatologist. I have tried many different things and found that the things that work the best for us are:
-Keep baby cool, don’t overdress, same as you or less if the hot baby.
-Mild cortisone cream (best ones on a script from the dermatologist) on the bad bits.
-Barrier cream twice a day – we have two baths and put on just after. I use a big jar of soft paraffin – just from the chemist – it is cheaper than a lot of the creams because we use so much and less sticky than Vaseline.
-I avoid soaps as they do tend to dry out the skin.
-It also gets worse if he has some foods so keep an eye on that too.
Good luck! Fingers crossed they both grow out of it.
I’ve heard petroleum jelly can be used, but check with your Dr. first. Also, don’t wear tight-fitting clothing on the affected area.