E45.com offers advice on children with dry skin and eczema

One in five children in the UK suffers from dry skin and eczema. Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema in children. Thought to run in families, it can begin in babies from six weeks old and continue throughout childhood. Approximately two thirds of children will have 'grown out' of eczema by puberty.

Eczema in Children

Triggers for flare-ups in children are similar to those of adults, but you might want to watch out for the following too:

Triggers
• Soft toys -Wash teddies and soft toys regularly.

• Chlorine in swimming pools - Avoid chlorinated pools, look for ozone- or UV-purified, salt-water or fresh-water alternatives. Apply emollients before and after swimming.

• Certain foods e.g. milk and eggs - Consult your child's doctor or dietician if a food allergy is suspected.

Stress is a trigger, so keep an eye on your child's emotional state, particularly relating to stressful periods such as exam time at school.

Sources(last accessed May 2010)


Managing your child's eczema

When you have a baby or child with eczema, family life can be disrupted. Itching can sometimes cause sleep disturbance and flare-ups can add to the concern. Your child may not like being cuddled and may demand attention which can affect family dynamics.

Once children reach school age, their performance may be affected by lack of sleep and teasing if their eczema is obvious. Swimming and gym lessons can also be difficult for them. However, it is important that they are encouraged to lead as normal a school life as possible. Discussing your child's condition and treatments with their teacher at the beginning of the school year is a good idea, too.

Eczema management strategies for children

Most important of all, establishing an overall eczema management strategy early on and keeping to it can really help minimise symptoms. Eczema management strategies for children are basically the same as for adults:

• Help them avoid triggers when possible, especially soaps and perfumed bath or shower products. (Click here for more information on triggers.)

• Continue daily use of emollients between flare-ups, even when skin appears to be back to normal. (Click here for more information on emollients)

• If itching is a problem use an itch relief cream.

• Use steroid creams as specified by your healthcare professional.

• Keep hydrated: try drinking six to eight glasses of water a day.

• Stick to their management strategy and help them stay positive.

Don't let them scratch

Eczema can cause intense itching and your child may want to scratch. But scratching releases histamine, a chemical that makes the skin even itchier. This is referred to as 'the itch-scratch cycle'.

Managing Child Eczema

If itchy skin is a problem for your child, your healthcare professional may recommend an itch relief cream suitable for use by children. This both calms the itch and gently moisturises the skin.

Not letting your child scratch can seem impossible at times, but it is important because scratching can easily become an unconscious long-term habit. Keeping their nails cut short is essential and, if they simply have to scratch, gently pinch or pat the itchy area instead.

Here are a few other things you can try:

• Put 'scratch mittens' on babies.
• Put a cooling, damp flannel on the itchy area, try ice cubes or frozen peas in a dry cloth.
• Distract them with another activity e.g. a book, video or game.
• Praise older children for not scratching, rather than tell them off when they do.

Sources (last accessed May 2010)