Eczema is more common in children whose family has a
history of hayfever, asthma or eczema. It is an allergy
characterised with red, itchy and dry skin. It most
commonly affects the face and skin creases in the neck,
knees and elbows or even behind the ears. It often shows up
in babies at the age of two to four months. However, the
condition becomes better as the child grows older.
Sometimes, eczema may become infected due to scratching.
Consult a doctor.
What you can do:
- Don't use soap on your baby's body. Use a baby bath
oil and special cream instead (the doctor can prescribe
this)
- Dress your baby in cotton rather than wool. (In cold
weather, make sure that the layer of clothing coming in
contact with the skin is of cotton)
- Keep your baby's skin well moisturised
- Don't overheat your baby's room
- use topical steroids as advised by the doctor
- Keep your child's fingernails short to avoid
excessive scratching
