Kids and Eczema

Re: Kids and Eczema

• g8orell member

  October 2011

  I'm a pediatric dermatology PA at MCH for Dr. Ana Duarte. Here is an article I wrote about gentle skincare guidelines and eczema. Let me know if you have any other questions...I'm gonna C&P it:

  As you can imagine, newborns and babies have very sensitive skin. After all, they were essentially living in a bubble covered with thick, nutrient rich vernix for several months before birth, which was either absorbed or wiped off shortly after. Everyday their delicate skin comes into contact with harsh chemicals, detergents, and soaps. These chemicals can eventually lead to the breakdown of the skin barrier (known as the stratum corneum), which subsequently leads to itchy rashes. The best way we can protect our baby?s skin, is to moisturize daily with gentle creams and avoid fragranced soaps and detergents. There are hundreds of brands of lotions, creams and soaps. Many are household names that we grew up with, such as Johnson & Johnson, Aveeno, and Dove. Just because these products have been around for many years, does not mean that they are good products. In fact, most of these products have ingredients that further irritate delicate skin?even those that claim to be hypoallergenic and for sensitive skin. For example, Aveeno adds citric acid to their products, and all of Johnson & Johnson products have ?fragrance mixture? as one of their ingredients. If you read the labels of most over-the-counter creams and lotions, you will find alcohols, acids, parabens, and other irritating agents that you would never normally put on your skin.

   

  So which products are good? Our practice recommends CeraVe (www.cerave.com) or Cetaphil (www.restoraderm.cetaphil.com) creams and cleansers. CeraVe was the first OTC line to add ceramides to its products. Ceramides are lipids (fats) that retain water in the skin, thus healing and restoring the skin barrier. Before CeraVe, ceramides were only found in prescription creams, such as Epicerum, which are expensive and not covered by most health insurance plans. Cetaphil is a little more known than CeraVe and has recently marketed a new line with ceramides called ?Restoraderm?. Both brands can be found at several neighborhood pharmacies, such as CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. Both brands also include soaps / cleansers, sunscreens, and lotions. It is important to note that you always want to buy creams, NOT lotions! The difference between the two is that creams are thicker and last longer, whereas lotions are thinner and usually contain an alcohol, which will further dry out and irritate the skin. In general, lotions are sold as bottles with pumps, whereas creams come in round jars with lids to unscrew. Both products also have cleansers (liquid soaps) that do not contain detergent. Detergent is what causes bubbles and bubbles dry out the skin, therefore no detergent is a good thing! A lot of moms complain that their children are not clean because the cleansers are not creating suds, but that?s okay?they are clean!

   

  Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis

   

  It seems that more and more kids are diagnosed with eczema these days! In fact, recent studies have shown that 15-20% of kids in the U.S. suffer from eczema during their lifetime, as compared to 7% in the 1960?s (Rady Children?s Hospital ? San Diego, 2010). Eczema, also known as Atopic Dermatitis, is a hereditary, chronic skin condition that causes mild to severe rashes and itching in children. Most children outgrow eczema around puberty, but a small percentage of those suffering with it will continue to experience some degree of it throughout life. There are many types of eczema, but most of the rashes look like pink or red, rough, dry patches, most common behind the knees and the inner elbows of children, and on the backs and bellies of babies. However, these patches can develop anywhere, including the face and neck. One way to identify eczema from another type of skin rash is to simply push on it. Eczema does not blanch, meaning, when you press on it, it does not disappear. There is no cure for eczema, but fortunately there are treatments and ways to reduce outbreaks or flares:

  ?       Moisturize at least 3 times daily with a sensitive perfume/dye free cream (not lotion) head-to-toe

  ?       Use a perfume/dye/detergent free cleanser for baths; it is okay to bathe your child daily, just keep baths short (3-5 minutes) and use luke-warm water (hot water breaks down the skin barrier faster)

  ?       Use a perfume/dye free laundry detergent such as Ivory Snow, Dreft, All Free, Tide Free, Cheer Free, Seventh Generation, etc. Do not use bleach with cloths or fabric softener (including dryer sheets)

  **We recommend that the entire family use a perfume/dye free laundry detergent, particularly those with babies and young children because when you hold your child, he/she comes into direct contact with your clothes

  ?       Dress your child in 100% cotton, loose clothing, as overheating can make eczema worse

  ?       Limit carpets, curtains, stuffed animals, etc. because these items harbor dust, which can further irritate sensitive skin

  ?       After swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean, rinse your child immediately with fresh water (or bathe if you can) and apply a moisturizing cream

  ?       Use insect repellent if you live in an area where mosquitos are prevalent, as most kids with eczema tend to have more of a reaction to insect bites. We recommend Avon Skin-so-Soft, Skintastic or Skedaddle. If you do not feel comfortable spraying these on your child?s skin, spray on your child?s clothes

  ?       For stubborn patches, use OTC 1% hydrocortisone cream twice daily to the patches for about 2-3 weeks. If this does not work, see your pediatrician or dermatologist for a stronger, prescription strength steroid cream

  ?       Flares can occur at anytime are usually caused by stress, change in weather (usually extreme heat or cold), viruses / illnesses, teething, etc.

  ?       An excellent website for more information: www.eczemacenter.org

   

  
  Camryn Grace ~ July 6th, 2009 ~ 7lbs 9oz, 20.5"
  Brayden Richard Drew ~ December 20, 2010~7lbs 9oz, 20"

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• melly&jimmy

  October 2011

  Thanks and great article!  I am going to all and make an appointment with Dr. Duarte Monday because we have done several things - we use the cetaphil body wash and lotion not sure if its lotion or creme and we use Tide Free detergent.  My poor baby )=

  

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