What is eczema?

Eczema is a predisposition of the skin to become itchy and develop a red, scaly rash.

Eczema often runs in families and can be associated with allergies and asthma.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Your child may have a dry, red rash that is itchy and scaly.

Your child's rash will usually be in bending areas of the body such as on elbows, knees, wrists, and ankles. Eczema can occur anywhere, including on the face.

Home care

The key to treating eczema is avoiding the triggers that cause your child's skin to itch.

Keep your child's skin moist.

Have your child wear loose cotton clothes and avoid wool clothes.

Avoid extremely warm showers and baths.

Keep your child's fingernails clean and short.

Try to prevent your child from scratching (gloves or socks can be placed on her hands).

Hydrocortisone creams that are over the counter are usually ineffective unless the condition is very mild. Usually with more severe cases we will need to prescribe a more potent steroid cream. Do not use these medicines on the face.

Diphenhydramine (BenadrylŪ):

Warning signs - Call our office for advice if:

Your child's skin becomes swollen or bleeds, call our office...especially if it is red and inflammed and stops responding to the usual treatments now.

Your child has a red or purple rash that does not turn pale briefly when you press on it, call our office now.

Your child develops a fever, please refer to the fever page.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child's symptoms, call our office now.