Eczema and how to treat it

Eczema is a skin condition that seems to come and go at any time. Usually, skin acts as a barrier to the outside world. It prevents heat and moisture from leaving the body and bacteria from getting inside. When you child has eczema, their skin fails in this role and it become dry, cracked and itchy.

If your child has eczema then they can be irritable and although they are tired, the constant scratching keeps them awake. Approximately 1 in 5 children will suffer from eczema at some point in their childhood.

Nobody is sure what causes eczema although it tends to run in families. It is also thought that it can be triggered by irritants such as pollen, dust and pet hair. Eczema can appear at times of stress too and a poor diet is also thought to bring it on.

Affected areas of the skin will appear red and dry. The skin may crack and it may feel warm to the touch.

Although there is no currently known cure for the condition, there are ways to help deal with the symptoms of eczema. Moisturizing and emollient creams tend to help combat the dryness. It also helps if the area isn’t scratched, although this can be very tricky as it is so itchy.

If it gets really bad then the doctor may prescribe a steroid cream. This will help to alleviate the condition very quickly but should not be used for prolonged periods.