Is your little one’s normally baby smooth skin looking red, dry, and scaly? It could just be dry skin, or it could be eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is particularly common in infants. It’s估计的that nearly 10 to 20 percent of children have this noncontagious skin disorder.
Most often the rash occurs on the scalp, knees, elbows, and cheeks in infants and children. You may notice your child scratching or rubbing at the area to relieve the itch. The itch can be severe enough to interrupt their sleep—making one fussy baby.
While eczema is treatable and preventable, your little one may be at a greater risk of developing other health conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (commonly known ashay fever) and food allergies. Doctors often refer to this as the atopic (allergic) march.
什么是特定的游行？
The atopic march involves the diagnosis of eczema, food allergy, hay fever, and asthma later in childhood—usually occurring in a sequence with age.
“The good news is that not every child who has eczema will develop allergic rhinitis and asthma,” saidWilliam Culver, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist at theBanner Health Clinicin Loveland, Colorado. “But the likelihood of developing these conditions does increase if there is a parent or close blood relative who has allergies andasthma，或者如果孩子的湿疹中等或严重。”
What Causes Eczema?
While the exact cause is not known, eczema is thought to be due to a “leaky” skin barrier. Our skin plays an important role as a protective barrier to germs and other things that can harm us. However, when eczema develops, our skin’s ability to block these things diminishes. This, in turn, causes the skin to lose water—leading to dry, itchy skin.
How Can You Lower Your Child’s Chances of Worsening Eczema, Allergies and Asthma?
Dr. Culver shared the following tips to help prevent and reduce your little one’s chances:
- Treat at the first sign of symptoms.If older siblings or one or both of the parents have allergic disorders, watch the child for the development of similar symptoms and treat earlier rather than later. If symptoms seem to worsen, see their doctor immediately.
- 记下触发器。记下任何食物，宠物或环境因素，这是症状的潜在原因和影响，并让孩子的儿科医生和过敏症患者知道。
- Breastfeed.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infants who arebreastfedhave a reduced risk of chronic conditions such as asthma.
- 从4个月大的时间开始喂养潜在的过敏性食物。根据美国国立卫生研究院的说法food elimination不能阻止发展food allergies. If your child is not of high risk, you can start with things like soy, eggs, milk, andpeanuts. However, if you have a family history offood allergiesor your child is high risk, speak with your child’s doctor first before starting.
- Avoid irritating soaps.This includes both bath and detergent soaps.
- Observe skin for dryness and treat with moisturizers.Look for thicker skin creams or ointments to stop skin from drying out and itching. The National Eczema Association also has a list of accepted products.
Do you suspect your child has eczema? Schedule an appointment with a Banner Healthvwin.comac德赢官方首页 today.
