Managing and treating your child's eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin problem. It makes your skin red, itchy, and dry.

If you have eczema, you should see a doctor. They can help you feel better.

To help manage eczema, you can use special creams and avoid things that make it worse. Ask a grown-up to help you find these creams.

What signs show if a child has eczema?

How do doctors know if someone has eczema?

Doctors can tell if you have eczema by looking at your skin. They ask questions about your health and your family’s health. Sometimes, they might do a small test called a "patch test" to check your skin.

If you have itchy, red, or dry skin, it’s good to see a doctor. They will help you and give you advice.

Tools that can help:

• Ask a family member to go with you to the doctor to take notes.
• Bring pictures of your skin when it's itchy or red.
• Write down any new soap, lotion, or food you used that makes your skin feel bad.

What makes eczema worse?

Eczema can get worse because of different things. Here are some:

• Skin getting too dry.
• Being around things that make you itch, like soap or wool.
• Getting too hot or sweaty.
• Stress or feeling worried.
• Some foods might also make it worse.

If someone has eczema, they can do a few things to help:

• Use a smooth cream to keep the skin wet.
• Wear soft clothes like cotton.
• Take cool showers.
• Talk to a grown-up if they feel sad or stressed.
• Ask a doctor about safe foods to eat.

How can I help my child with eczema at home?

Eczema is a skin problem. It makes the skin red, dry, and itchy.

Here are some simple ways to help your child:

• Give them warm baths, not hot. Hot water can make the skin worse.
• Use a gentle soap when they wash.
• Put on lots of lotion to keep their skin soft.
• Dress them in soft clothes, like cotton, so their skin doesn't get itchy.
• Keep their nails short, so they don’t scratch.
• If your child is very itchy, talk to a doctor. They might give you special medicine.

Using these steps can help your child feel better.

Which creams are good for a child with eczema?

Are there other ways to help with eczema?

Can food change my child's eczema?

Does what your child eats make their eczema better or worse?

It's important to know if food makes a difference.

Here are some ideas:

• Keep a food diary: Write down what your child eats and if their eczema changes.
• Talk to a doctor or a nurse: They can give advice on food and eczema.
• Try new foods slowly: Introduce one new food at a time to see how it affects the skin.

If you are worried, always ask a healthcare professional for help.

Can you catch eczema from someone else?

No, you cannot catch eczema from another person. Eczema is not like a cold or the flu. It is a skin condition that some people have. It does not spread from one person to another.

If you want to know more about eczema, here is something you can do:

• Talk to a doctor. They can answer your questions.
• Look at pictures or watch videos made for kids. They can help you understand better.

When should I see a doctor about my child's eczema?

If your child has itchy and red skin, it might be eczema.

Here are some times you should take your child to the doctor:

• If the skin gets worse or does not get better.
• If the itching makes your child very uncomfortable.
• If there are signs of infection, like yellow crusts or red, warm skin.

You can also use soothing creams or medicines from the doctor. Ask the doctor what is best for your child.

What problems can eczema cause?

Will my child stop having eczema as they grow up?

How do creams with steroids help with eczema?

How important is wet wrapping for helping eczema?

Wet wrapping is a way to help when your skin is itchy and red from eczema. It can make your skin feel better.

Wet wrapping means putting on a wet cloth or bandage over your cream and then covering it with a dry cloth. This keeps your skin cool and stops scratching.

Here’s how you can use wet wrapping:

• Rub cream on your itchy spots.
• Put a damp cloth or bandage on top.
• Put a dry cloth on top of the wet cloth.
• Keep it on for some time, like overnight or a few hours.

If you need help, ask an adult, like a parent or a nurse.

Wet wrapping can help your skin heal. Talk to a doctor or a nurse for more tips!

How can families get help for eczema?

If someone in your family has eczema, there are ways to get help. Eczema can make your skin red, itchy, and sore.

Here are some ways to get help:

• Visit the doctor: They can give you medicine to stop the itching.
• Use creams and lotions: These make your skin feel better.
• Talk to a nurse or healthcare worker: They can teach you how to care for your skin.
• Join a support group: You can talk to other families who understand.

You can also find more information online with a grown-up’s help. They can help you look for trusted websites.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin problem. It makes your skin red, itchy, and dry.

If you have eczema, you should see a doctor. They can help you feel better.

To help manage eczema, you can use special creams and avoid things that make it worse. Ask a grown-up to help you find these creams.

What signs show if a child has eczema?

How do doctors know if someone has eczema?

Doctors can tell if you have eczema by looking at your skin. They ask questions about your health and your family’s health. Sometimes, they might do a small test called a "patch test" to check your skin.

If you have itchy, red, or dry skin, it’s good to see a doctor. They will help you and give you advice.

Tools that can help:

• Ask a family member to go with you to the doctor to take notes.
• Bring pictures of your skin when it's itchy or red.
• Write down any new soap, lotion, or food you used that makes your skin feel bad.

What makes eczema worse?

Eczema can get worse because of different things. Here are some:

• Skin getting too dry.
• Being around things that make you itch, like soap or wool.
• Getting too hot or sweaty.
• Stress or feeling worried.
• Some foods might also make it worse.

If someone has eczema, they can do a few things to help:

• Use a smooth cream to keep the skin wet.
• Wear soft clothes like cotton.
• Take cool showers.
• Talk to a grown-up if they feel sad or stressed.
• Ask a doctor about safe foods to eat.

How can I help my child with eczema at home?

Eczema is a skin problem. It makes the skin red, dry, and itchy.

Here are some simple ways to help your child:

• Give them warm baths, not hot. Hot water can make the skin worse.
• Use a gentle soap when they wash.
• Put on lots of lotion to keep their skin soft.
• Dress them in soft clothes, like cotton, so their skin doesn't get itchy.
• Keep their nails short, so they don’t scratch.
• If your child is very itchy, talk to a doctor. They might give you special medicine.

Using these steps can help your child feel better.

Which creams are good for a child with eczema?

Are there other ways to help with eczema?

Can food change my child's eczema?

Does what your child eats make their eczema better or worse?

It's important to know if food makes a difference.

Here are some ideas:

• Keep a food diary: Write down what your child eats and if their eczema changes.
• Talk to a doctor or a nurse: They can give advice on food and eczema.
• Try new foods slowly: Introduce one new food at a time to see how it affects the skin.

If you are worried, always ask a healthcare professional for help.

Can you catch eczema from someone else?

No, you cannot catch eczema from another person. Eczema is not like a cold or the flu. It is a skin condition that some people have. It does not spread from one person to another.

If you want to know more about eczema, here is something you can do:

• Talk to a doctor. They can answer your questions.
• Look at pictures or watch videos made for kids. They can help you understand better.

When should I see a doctor about my child's eczema?

If your child has itchy and red skin, it might be eczema.

Here are some times you should take your child to the doctor:

• If the skin gets worse or does not get better.
• If the itching makes your child very uncomfortable.
• If there are signs of infection, like yellow crusts or red, warm skin.

You can also use soothing creams or medicines from the doctor. Ask the doctor what is best for your child.

What problems can eczema cause?

Will my child stop having eczema as they grow up?

How do creams with steroids help with eczema?

How important is wet wrapping for helping eczema?

Wet wrapping is a way to help when your skin is itchy and red from eczema. It can make your skin feel better.

Wet wrapping means putting on a wet cloth or bandage over your cream and then covering it with a dry cloth. This keeps your skin cool and stops scratching.

Here’s how you can use wet wrapping:

• Rub cream on your itchy spots.
• Put a damp cloth or bandage on top.
• Put a dry cloth on top of the wet cloth.
• Keep it on for some time, like overnight or a few hours.

If you need help, ask an adult, like a parent or a nurse.

Wet wrapping can help your skin heal. Talk to a doctor or a nurse for more tips!

How can families get help for eczema?

If someone in your family has eczema, there are ways to get help. Eczema can make your skin red, itchy, and sore.

Here are some ways to get help:

• Visit the doctor: They can give you medicine to stop the itching.
• Use creams and lotions: These make your skin feel better.
• Talk to a nurse or healthcare worker: They can teach you how to care for your skin.
• Join a support group: You can talk to other families who understand.

You can also find more information online with a grown-up’s help. They can help you look for trusted websites.