What Is Eczema (Dermatitis)?

By Dr. Eddie Valenzuela
Eczema is an extremely common condition that makes you uncomfortable in your own skin…literally.

The hallmarks of Eczema are dry, red patches of skin that become itchy and rough to the touch. Affected skin might crack, become thickened or inflamed. The condition knows no age… affecting babies, children and adults, but most people develop Eczema before age 5.

Although it affects 30% of people in the United States, Eczema is often confused with other skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or cradle cap, since they can both begin in infancy. Despite overlapping symptoms, the conditions are distinct and require different treatments. It’s helpful to know that Cradle Cap tends to present a brownish/yellow crust in the scalp, forehead and eyebrows and begins in the first several months of life as and occurs in different locations of the body than Eczema. Learn more about the symptoms of Sebrrheic Dermatitis from Dr. Eddie.

Baby Eczema versus Atopic Dermatitis

Baby Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis are different names used to describe the same condition. Chances are you’ll hear “Baby Eczema” and “Atopic Dermatitis” used interchangeably by your pediatrician or dermatologist.

How can I tell if a baby rash is really Eczema?

Newborns get many rashes that come and go. Milia (white spots on nose), neonatal acne (red bumps on cheeks), erythema toxicum (ant bite looking bumps all over the body) are just a few.But when Eczema shows up, it doesn’t go away within a few days or weeks.

It helps to know where the “Eczema Zones” tend to be. With babies up to 2 years old, atopic dermatitis typically shows up on cheeks and on the opposite sides of joints — the part of your elbow you would rest on a table when leaning forward or the part of the knees that touch the ground when kneeling on the floor. In this age group, a rash might bubble up and sometimes leak a small amount of fluid, and the extreme itchiness can interfere with an infant’s sleep.

In kids aged 2 until puberty, rashes tend to appear in the creases of the elbows/knees. Other common “Eczema Zones” include the neck, wrists, ankles, groin and behind the ears.

In adults, the Eczema tends to show up in the folds of the knees and elbows and the affected skin can have a thickened leathery feel to it.

Can it Get Infected?

The constant itchiness of Eczema in children is particularly hard for parents to manage because excessive scratching can occasionally lead to infection. You can tell skin has become infected when the red patches become extra-red and raw. Infection can also trigger blisters that may ooze or “weep” a clear fluid. These blisters can then get covered in a honey-colored crust. Some parents put mittens or socks on their baby’s hands to avoid harsh scratching.

While infected skin might look bad, it is good to know Eczema is not contagious. Your baby can’t “catch Eczema” nor infect anyone else. Eczema is a condition that definitely can run in the family.

More than half of children with Eczema will outgrow the condition. Those who continue to have flare-ups as adults will discover their rashes take on different characteristics and could go for years without symptoms.

Treating Infant Rash caused by Eczema

While there is no “cure” for Eczema, there are treatments that can manage and ease symptoms.

Essential for any baby, child or adult plagued by Eczema rashes is gentle skin care that takes into account every single thing that gets put on the skin.

At bath time, use any temperature water and irritant-free cleansers. Soaps (and lotions) with fragrances and dyes can worsen already irritated skin. Ideal bath time cleansers include products like Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo & Body Wash for eczema, a pediatrician-formulated cleanser specifically designed for itchy, dry, irritated skin.Whatever you select, you want a pure cleanser without fragrances, dyes, parabens or sulfates. Bath time should soothe and hydrate, not irritate.

You’ll want to regularly moisturize eczema skin with dermatology-approved body wash, oils, creams or ointments, which are available over-the-counter. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, non-steroidal prescription creams, wet dressings (in more severe cases), and anti-itch medications. Some adults get prescribed light therapy by their dermatologists.

Creams with added glycerine, ceramides, licorice root extract, and oatmeal can help lessen the symptoms of eczema.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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