Atopic eczema is a fairly common inflammatory skin disease in babies (face, cheek, stomach, back). It develops in flare-ups and causes severe itching. Causes, treatments, creams…
One in ten children would have atopic eczema (or atopic dermatitis) linked to very dry skin which reacts with inflammation. It is recognized by red patches, itching, oozing, or scratch marks. What causes eczema in babies? How to know if the baby has eczema? When to consult? How to treat it?
What is baby eczema?
Typically, the baby with eczema actually has atopic skin, that is, very dry skin. We then use the termatopic eczema. “Because it is precisely because of the atopy that the child becomes allergic and presents eczema. It is because of a weak body barriers (which constitute the skin and mucous membranes), which let future allergens through, that the child has a tendency to become allergic”, explains Dr. Paul Dupont, dermatologist.
What are the symptoms of eczema in babies?
Eczema lesions are characteristic and combine rednessa very dry skin, on which the child causes excoriations by scratching. They usually sit at the folds, and can extend over the whole body. There are also some facial irritationaggravated by saliva and the fact that the baby rubs his cheeks and eyelids. “There is a small characteristic sign of atopic eczema: a crease in the lower eyelidalthough it is not always present, it is an interesting diagnostic element”observes the dermatologist.
What causes eczema in babies?
“Contrary to popular belief, the real cause is not the allergy, but the atopic terrain. The skin and mucous membranes are then too dry and this is linked to a deficiency in certain enzymes (desaturases) which allow the integration of essential fatty acids into the skin”, emphasizes the specialist. It is often associated with digestive disorders. The whole is of hereditary origin and generally one finds cases of eczema in the close family.
It is sometimes difficult to differentiate atopic eczema from other forms of eczema that can affect the baby, in particular contact eczema or infectious eczema. Only the topography allows orientation. “For example, if the eczema is located at the level of the diapers, we can indeed evoke a contact eczema”notes the dermatologist.
► With local care are based on natural moisturizers such as creams or cerates based on essential fatty acids and Shea Butter.
► With preparations in the form of linimentcreams or cerates containing, for example, nigella or soapwort or even chamomile.
► With waters: “If there are oozing lesions, eosin with water can be used; and if superinfection is feared, we generally advise eithermilian water, either from permanganate diluted to 1/10,000 (1 sachet of 0.5g for 5 liters of water).
► With oil. “General care combines the intake of organic evening primrose oil and vitamin E, with certain specific probiotics for this type of eczema such as eczebiophilus”.
► With homeopathy. “Many homeopathic unitaries can also be useful such as for example Apis mell 15 CH: we recommend 3 to 5 granules as much as necessary to reduce scratching; Or Ignatia 15 CH if the child is anxious.
► With corticosteroids. “In severe cases, one can resort to corticosteroid creamsbut in this case, they must be prescribed in a very specific and time-limited way to avoid addictions”continues Dr. Paul Dupont.
How long does baby eczema last?
The combination described above generally allows a noticeable improvement in atopic eczema in 6 months.
What are the risks of complications?
“The risk of eczema is superinfection by scratching. It is therefore necessary to consult systematically if the lesions tend to spread or worsen despite local care”, warns the specialist. A bacterio-mycological sample will then be made, it will confirm or rule out this diagnosis.
Studies have shown that it is possible to prevent atopic eczema in newborns by giving mothers courses of probiotics. “In some cases the avoidance of dairy products (cow’s milk) arises, not because of allergies to milk proteins, but because it disrupts the specific intestinal flora that the baby needs to fight against the eczema”says the dermatologist.
Thanks to Dr. Paul Dupont, dermatologist, author of “Natural skin care” published by Eyrolles.