How to Care for your Baby’s Eczema

May 13, 2019

Eczema flare ups are most common through the Winter months. As we move closer to the chilly season, prevention is the key to fight the symptoms of itch and discomfort associated with eczema.

Mustela are the leader and No #1 baby care brand in France with ingredients of natural origins, free from paraben and phthalate. Its Stelatopia range is dedicated for eczema prone skin in babies and children. Containing Avocado Perseose and Sunflower Oil Distillate to preserve, protect and maintain the skin moisture barrier to reduce damage for eczema prone skin.

We invited Mustela to offer advice and tips on caring for the little ones, so there will be less tears, and more laughter at bedtime.

This is a guest blog from Mustela.

Eczema, what is it?

Eczema-prone skin is a skin barrier disorder that affects 1 in 5 children⁽¹⁾. It appears as extremely dry skin on the body and face and alternates between eczema flare-ups with red patches and periods of relief. Eczema is distinguished as extremely dry skin on the face and body, accompanied by localised patches of red skin and itching sensations. The patches will appear on a baby’s cheeks, scalp, neck folds and even arms and legs. As the child grows, the patches can be seen in skin folds, this time usually on elbows, knees, wrists and eyelids.

Eczema can appear from the age of two months! It decreases severity over time and often disappears spontaneously, usually around the age of five or six. However the itching and discomfort associated with eczema flare-ups can persist at bedtime causing difficulty in sleeping. Early, long-lasting prevention is therefore key to your little one’s comfort.

What causes eczema?

Eczema is caused by a defect in the skin barrier which allows moisture loss and the door to allow allergens to enter. In children prone to eczema, the immune system is also more sensitive to stimuli. This sensitivity, combined with demands related to allergens, provokes an intense inflammatory reaction in the skin (characterized by red patches and itching).

A hereditary skin condition

We also know nowadays that eczema-prone skin may be linked to a genetic predisposition. There is a 40-50% ⁽²⁾ probability of a child developing eczema before it turns two if one of its parents also suffers from the condition. This figure rises to 50-80% ⁽²⁾ when both parents suffered from eczema.

Preventing eczema: mission possible!

If there is a family history, you can take effective preventive measures right from birth. The latest scientific studies have shown that the daily application of an emollient from birth onward in the case of children with at least one eczema-prone skin parent helps to reduce their risk of developing the symptoms of eczema by 33-50%! ⁽³⁾.

So, there it is. Every day, protect your baby’s skin with a specific baby-child fragrance-free emollient skincare (Like Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Cream or Balm). This is the best way to replenish lipids in the skin and strengthen the skin barrier, thereby increasing the skin’s ability to defend itself against allergens that are responsible for skin problems.

Practical day-to-day tips for caring for your baby

After consulting your doctor to make sure that your baby is suffering from eczema, follow these simple tips.

BATHTIME

Exchange your usual cleansing products for products designed specifically for babies and children and formulated for eczema-prone skin: gentle, hypoallergenic, and fragrance- and soap-free.
Bath time should last no longer than 10 minutes and the water temperature should not exceed 35°C. A few drops of special baby bath oil suited to eczema-prone skin will compensate for the drying effect of hard water.

CARING FOR YOUR BABY

To protect your baby skin and to stop itching, apply an emollient, lipid-replenishing skincare product specifically formulated for babies and children, once a day after bathing your baby, on his face and body (twice a day in the case of extremely dry skin). Make sure it is gentle, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free.
Before you start, wash and dry your hands well, and then warm them by rubbing them together. Make little light massaging movements with the cream (or balm).
In some cases, eczema is resistant, so emollients are not enough. In addition to emollients, a cream containing corticoids should then be applied directly to the inflammatory flare-ups, as prescribed by a doctor.
To prevent lesions when your child scratches an itchy patch, cut his nails regularly.

(1) Watson 2011, ISAAC 1998.
(2) Böhme 2003, Taïeb 2008.
(3) Eric L. Simpson 2014, Horimukai 2014.
Article produced in partnership with Dr Clarence de Belilovsky, a dermatologist and member of the Mustela Circle of experts.
Mustela is a proud supporter of the Eczema Association Australasia.