Dealing with eczema in children can be a challenging journey for parents. The itchy, red patches on your little one’s skin may leave you feeling helpless at times. However, the good news is that with the right care and attention, it’s possible to keep your child’s eczema-prone skin calm and flare-free.
In this article, we’ll explore practical and effective tips that, when consistently applied, can help you achieve at least three months of relief for your child. So, let’s dive in and learn how to make those tiny hands and cheeks smile again!
Understanding Eczema
Understanding eczema is the first step to providing the right care. Think of it as the skin’s way of saying, “I need a little extra love.” Eczema happens when the skin’s protective barrier isn’t as strong as it should be, allowing irritants and allergens to sneak in. This can lead to the itchy and inflamed patches you see on your child’s skin.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, can manifest with various symptoms, and these symptoms may vary in severity from person to person. The common symptoms of eczema include:
- Itchy Skin
- Red or Inflamed Skin
- Dry Skin
- Rashes
- Swelling
- Cracking or Oozing
- Thickened Skin
- Sensitive Skin
Keeping Your Child’s Eczema at Bay: A 6-Step Guide to Healthy Skin
1. Stay Hydrated: A Sip of Relief
Just as flowers thrive when well-hydrated, your little one’s skin can benefit from staying hydrated too. Dehydration can contribute to skin dryness, making eczema symptoms more pronounced. Encourage your child to drink enough water throughout the day, and make it a fun activity by offering colourful water bottles or creating a hydration chart together.
2. Avoid Irritants: Gentle Care for Delicate Skin
When it comes to laundry and cleaning products, less is often more, especially for sensitive skin. Opt for fragrance-free and dye-free options to minimise the risk of irritation. Harsh chemicals in certain products can aggravate eczema, so read labels carefully and choose gentle alternatives. By creating a hypoallergenic environment, you’re taking a crucial step toward providing a soothing haven for your child’s delicate skin.
3. Choose Gentle Cleansers: Tender Loving Suds
When it comes to bath time, the choice of soap matters. Select mild, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic soaps or cleansers to cleanse your child’s skin gently. The goal is to clean without stripping away the natural oils that keep the skin healthy. Steer clear of hot water, as it can be harsh on the skin. Instead, opt for lukewarm baths or showers to maintain a delicate balance for your child’s skin.
A gentle body wash such as Bepanthen SensiWash supports healthy skin microbiome and is anti-itch1-3. It has a high concentration of humectant to preserve the skin’s barrier and natural pH while increasing skin hydration. Bepanthen SensiWash also contains an alpha-glucan oligosaccharide prebiotic that supports a healthy skin microbiome and is safe for babies above 1-month-old.
4. Short Baths: Less Time, More Care
While a bubble bath might be tempting, it’s essential to limit bathing time for children with eczema. Keeping baths short, around 5-10 minutes, helps prevent the skin from drying out. To make bath time even more soothing, consider adding colloidal oatmeal or bath oil to the water. These gentle additions can provide extra relief for your child’s sensitive skin.
5. Pat, Don’t Rub: A Tender Touch After Bathing
After the bath, resist the urge to vigorously rub your child’s skin dry. Instead, adopt a gentle patting technique with a soft towel. This minimises friction and helps avoid further irritation. The goal is to treat your child’s skin like the delicate petals of a flower, preserving its natural beauty without causing distress.
6. Keep Skin Moisturised: Locking in the Love
Moisture is the key to happy skin, especially for those with eczema. After bathing, pamper your child’s skin with a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturiser. The goal is to create a protective barrier that keeps the skin hydrated. Think of it as wrapping your little one’s skin in a cosy blanket of moisture.
Bepanthen’s SensiDaily is a daily moisturiser that is formulated for eczema-prone skin and is clinically proven to keep eczema-prone skin flare-free for up to 3 months4-15. With the Derma-Defence Formula it strengthens 3 skin barriers of eczema prone skin.
Derma-Defence Formula includes:
- Prebiotics- to support the balance and diversity of the skin microbiome.
- Vitamin B5, B3 and humectants- to protect and strengthen the skin barrier while maintaining physiological skin pH.
96% of subjects who used Bepanthen SensiDaily Moisturiser maintained flare-free skin for at least 3 months#.
Dealing with Flare-Ups: A Gentle Solution for Unexpected Itchy Moments
Despite our best efforts, there are times when the unpredictable nature of eczema leads to unexpected flare-ups. We understand how disheartening this can be for both parents and their little ones. But worry not, as there’s a soothing solution to provide relief when the skin decides to act up.
Bepanthen Itch Relief Cream is a steroid-free formula clinically proven to relieve itchiness within 30 minutes, with the same efficacy to 1% hydrocortisone* (a mild steroid medicine). What sets Bepanthen apart is its unique Lipid Lamellar TechnologyTM, mirroring the skin’s natural lipids. These lipids form a protective layer, offering quick relief from itchiness while promoting the skin’s healing process. With physiologic humectants like glycerin and Provitamin B5 (Dexpanthenol), this cream ensures long-lasting hydration, assisting the skin in recovering from any damage.
Importantly, Bepanthen Itch Relief Cream is formulated without emulsifiers, which are known to compromise the delicate lipid lamellar structure. Moreover, it is free of perfumes and preservatives, minimising the risk of skin irritation.
So, when unexpected flare-ups occur, consider Bepanthen Itch Relief Cream as a gentle and effective ally in soothing your child’s sensitive skin. Keep this trusted solution on hand, and let the quick relief it offers bring comfort back to your child’s world, ensuring those spontaneous flare-ups don’t linger for long.
In the journey of managing your child’s eczema, consistency and care are your strongest allies. By implementing these six practical steps – from keeping your little one hydrated to choosing gentle cleansers and moisturising effectively – you’re creating a foundation for healthier, happier skin. Remember, each child is unique, and finding the right balance may take time.