- Talk to your pediatrician about which over-the-counter lotions or creams are best for your child’s eczema.
- If your baby’s eczema is mild, the pediatrician may not recommend any treatment
- To keep eczema at bay, bathe your baby with a very gentle cleanser, and use a gentle detergent to clean your baby’s clothes.
- Dress your baby in soft clothing, avoiding wool and similar scratchy fabrics.
- Avoid frequent baths, limiting to no more than three times per week.
- Talk to the doctor about whether your baby should avoid any foods.
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Keeping your child’s eczema under control
If your child does develop eczema, Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help keep eczema under control:
- Take lukewarm (not hot) baths with mild cleansers. Avoid soaps that dry the skin or contain fragrance.
- Let your child soak in an oatmeal bath, if your doctor recommends it.
- Don’t scrub your child dry after a bath. Instead, gently pat the skin.
- Dress your child in soft, breathable clothing made from cotton, rather than made of a coarse fabric such as wool.
- Rub a moisturizing lotion, cream or ointment into your child’s skin just after getting out of the bath.
- Apply a cool compress to irritated skin, and keep fingernails short to limit scratching.
- Rid the home of as many allergens as possible.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of water, which will hydrate the skin.