BabyHealth & Safety

How To Treat Baby Eczema Naturally?

I am Celeste Wallace, a mother of three lovely kids who has taught me all I know about dealing with allergic reactions, including babies eczema. I am sharing all my experience and insights with you in the hope that it helps you be prepared for different causes.

Let’s imagine, you have your baby, powered through postpartum recovery, braved the long colicky nights and toughed it out through the growth spurts and sleep regression. You think you have it in the bag. Then you notice that rash on your kid’s arm, cheeks, back, and god knows where else.

Your pediatrician says it is eczema, a common and manageable skin condition, but you have no clue where to start when it comes to eczema in babies. What is eczema? What causes it? How do you know your baby has it? Which are the best baby eczema treatments? Before you get into mommy panic mode looking at baby eczema pictures on the web, take some time to read this article. I have prepared plenty of information to help you deal with this condition.


What is eczema? Simply put, it is an allergic reaction that presents itself as a red, dry, bumpy, and sometimes scaly rash on an infant’s skin. Although this description is quite simple, understanding eczema babies becomes more complicated when trying to identify the cause of the reaction. From birth to 8 months, babies come into contact with plenty of stuff. Any of these things could a cause said reaction. How to identify the right one?

Looking back at the earlier stages of my babies’ lives, I can tell you for sure that I was constantly overwhelmed. Life was a blur of feeds, burping sessions, and diaper changes. I was definitely not capable of tracking everything around my babies at the time. Thus, to make it easier for any mom dealing with an eczema baby, I will highlight the most common cause of such allergic reactions. Most times, eczema is caused by sensitivity to harsh detergent, perfumes, certain food, heat, mold, and animal fur.

You must be wondering why some babies have eczema, while others do not. This condition can be genetic. Parents who have a history of asthma or any other allergies are more likely to have babies with eczema. However, some babies may develop this condition even without a family history of allergies. Eczema babies causes may be purely independent of their genes.

What Does Eczema on Baby Look Like?

The appearance of eczema may change depending on the stage and management of the condition. At first, the skin may be red and bumpy. This is when a baby is below six months, but as time goes by, the skin becomes drier and scalier.

image of early stage of baby eczema

Scalp baby eczema is often confused for cradle cap but can easily be identified by a doctor. Baby eczema on face will result in red, sore cheeks. Continued scratching makes the skin thicker and more irritated. Eczema on baby face is easy to reach, and babies scratch it a lot. If unattended, the broken skin may get secondary infections.

back to menu ↑

How To Treat Baby Eczema Naturally? What To Use For Baby Eczema?

Seeing your child so uncomfortable will make you ask how to get rid of this issue forever. Baby eczema how to treat? Unfortunately, because eczema can be a reaction to one of many things, it does not have a one-treats-all remedy.

The best baby eczema treatment is the identification and elimination of the things that cause flare-ups. You will probably have to change detergents from harsh to mild. You can even go for baby-friendly brands, as there are many in the market. Stop wearing perfume for a while. Change the fabric of your kid’s clothing (including baby bibs). While making these changes, observe for signs of improvement.

Is there a home remedy for eczema on babies? Yes, and no. I say yes because there are many things you can do to soothe the itch and make your baby more comfortable. I also say no because eczema has no specific remedy, and moms must simply avoid triggers to manage the condition.

A frequent warm bath and moisturizing routines are a lifesaver. Please make sure the water you use is warm, not hot. Hot water dries up babies’ skin, so it is essential to moisturize the affected skin with some eczema creams for babies. You can add another layer of cream at every diaper change throughout the day.

To stop scratching and worsening eczema on babies face, you should invest in a good pair of mittens that are not easily removable. Also, too much heat irritates affected areas, so you should not overdress your baby.

Another way you can manage this condition at home is by observing your baby’s diet. You must know babies with eczema foods to avoid. These include soya, tomatoes, wheat, cinnamon, animal milk, eggs, vanilla, and some nuts such as peanuts.

It is not possible to know all foods that may cause a reaction, so as a mom, you will have to wean your baby with caution. A good way of identifying a trigger is by withdrawing it immediately once you notice a flare-up. The good news about babies eczema treatment is that it can be as simple as including certain food in their diet, such as:

  • Fish that has omega 3 such as sardines, tuna, and salmon
  • Yogurt and other foods that has live cultures
  • Anti-inflammation fruits such as apples and vegetables such as spinach and broccoli

These foods may not necessarily clear the rash, but they will go a long way in preventing it from worsening.

back to menu ↑

What Are the Best Natural Eczema Remedies for Babies?

Although using organic creams sounds like a good idea, it is not. Most organic creams, lotions, and soap have a variety of raw ingredients, which could probably cause a flare-up in your baby. When dealing with eczema in baby, it is advisable not to experiment with too many ingredients as you may not know which one causes a reaction.

Therefore, the best creams for eczema for babies are those that have been tested and proven safe by dermatologists. In fact, you should use a baby eczema cream during summer and rely more on thicker layers of unscented baby jelly cream during winter when the air is drier.

I must talk about choosing the best lotion for baby with eczema. When dealing with the annoying itch as a first-time mum, I was overwhelmed with options to choose from. Little did I know that plain, petroleum jelly is a perfect substitute for most baby eczema creams.

I started with this choice because I believe you should be able to help your baby feel comfortable even on a tight budget. However, if you can afford it, you should buy the lotions for babies with eczema. These are specifically manufactured to moisturize and protect your baby’s skin. Choose one that has only approved ingredients and is rich in cortisone and anti-inflammatory ingredients.


back to menu ↑

Your Eczema Related Questions Answered

These are the most frequently asked questions about infant eczema.

back to menu ↑

What does eczema on baby look like?

It presents itself as red bumps on the skin, which gradually become dry and scaly. The affected areas may have tough and broken skin due to continuous scratching. Most mothers notice baby eczema on the face, joints, and back. Eczema in scalp baby is also quite common.

back to menu ↑

What triggers eczema in babies?

Potential triggers include pollen, fur, harsh detergents, perfumes, and certain foods. Triggers vary from one child to another. Over time, the triggers may change, too.

back to menu ↑

Should I use organic eczema cream for baby?

It is not advisable to use organic products on babies with eczema. This is because most organic products contain unregulated ingredients which may worsen the baby’s condition. You should use the best creams for eczema in babies. These creams have been dermatologically tested and approved for babies with this condition. Other alternatives to lotion eczema baby include unscented petroleum jelly and natural oils such as pure coconut oil.

back to menu ↑

Which is the best lotion for babies with eczema?

It is one that has only approved ingredients. Check the list of ingredients to confirm it. You should also go for unscented moisturizers, as it is the best eczema lotion baby.


back to menu ↑

Caring for Your Baby’s Eczema Has Gotten Easier

Eczema may not have an actual cure, but that does not mean your baby should suffer through dry, itchy skin. You must learn how to identify the allergens that trigger your baby’s flare-ups. Could it be the perfume you use? Perhaps your laundry detergent is too strong? Have you known which eczema in babies foods to avoid? Maybe you may have to keep your pets at bay for a while to check whether their fur may cause the reaction.

Whatever the case, the pointers in this article have covered the possible reasons for the random flare-ups. With a proper elimination diet that excludes trigger foods, you will surely be able to manage this condition. In addition to these home remedies for eczema babies, be sure to buy a good cream that will moisturize the baby’s skin and soothe the irritation.

Are there any eczema triggers I have left out? Do not hesitate to let me know in the comments below. Feel free to share your struggle with this pesky itch, including what works for your baby and what doesn’t. I look forward to answering any questions you may have after reading this article.

Tags:

1 Comment
  1. Reply
    Carmine Bascas 31.10.2019 at 20:02

    Wowsuper article. I’ve examine a few other articles inside your weblog and discovered very educational and I understand many point as well from the meaningful posts.

Leave a reply

EasyToBeMom