Eczema in Children
As a parent it can be very painful and nerve wracking to watch your child go through the constant itching and scratching caused by eczema. This skin condition is also known as atopic dermatitis and is a skin inflammation that can occur in both adults and children.
The disease may exhibit different characteristics in different people although it usually manifests through inflamed rashes with red dots, cracked skin and may progress to blisters filled with fluid, that often eventually burst. The rashes can occur on the elbows, face, buttocks, wrists and ankles, although it isn’t restricted to these areas only.
Eczema can disrupt your child’s life and even yours as a parent, thus the need to manage and treat it. Many doctors prefer to prescribe over-the-counter medication as a treatment. However the cure lies in diagnosing the causes of the disease. Internal allergens are the primary causes, while external allergens aid in aggregating the disease. Allergens such as the ones found in dairy products, soy, nuts, tomatoes, wheat, eggs, chocolate and others can cause eczema.
Therefore, avoiding such foods can contribute greatly towards eradicating the disease. Change your child’s diet by removing some of these foods. Note that the eczema will not disappear overnight, as you will have to wait for about two weeks to see if the change of diet is effective. To make sure that your child does not lack any important nutrients and fats in the process of diet change, you can use supplements.
Since it is the allergens that are the source of eczema, it is important for you as a parent or guardian to ensure that your home is clean and free from dust. This will contribute to reducing your child’s condition. It is essential to dress your child with soft natural fiber clothing such as cotton. Cotton, unlike wool, allows the skin to breath and keeps it cooler thus reducing the irritation caused by the disease.
Wash your child with warm water using a non scented gentle soap, pat the skin dry with a smooth towel and apply a moisturizing cream. Always keep your child’s skin supple by constantly moisturizing, it since dry skin only increases the itching and worsens the disease. Use natural skin ointments and creams on your child such as chamomile and chickweed, and avoid any artificially produced substances such as detergents and soaps since all these aggravate the eczema.
Make sure your child consumes eight glasses of water daily. This will constantly keep the skin hydrated. Also, you must discourage the child from scratching the blisters as it could cause an outbreak. Keep your child’s nails clean and short, as the germs can easily be spread throughout the skin if the child scratches.
It is also very important to talk to your child and let them know what is going on as this will help prevent any potential psychological trauma and their awareness may also help you in managing it. Finally, it is always best to consult your doctor or skin dermatologist if you notice any rash on your child.
Child allergies are receiving more attention lately, as parents and the medical community become more aware of the many causes. Allergies are blamed for 2 million lost days at school every year.
An allergy is simply the immune system’s overreaction to a substance that most people find harmless. This can be a reaction to a wide range of triggers. Some of these include mold, pollen, pets, and foods. Common food allergies include cow milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, shellfish, wheat, soy and tree nuts.
The reactions can range from mild to severe, with the worst cases resulting in respiratory distress. www.allergiesworld.net/child-allergies
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