What causes eczema?
The exact cause of eczema is not fully known or understood, however we do know that oils in the skin becoming defective is the main issue. Normally skin offers a layer of protection, keeping water in and unwanted things like bacteria out of the body, but when a child has eczema the skin gets broken and dries out leaving it more open to infection.
Why has my child got eczema?
As previously stated it is not known why some people are more prone to eczema than others, but the most common form is Atopic (or Allergic) eczema which tends to affect 20% of children. Eczema seems to run in a family, meaning that if you suffered with it is a child then your children are more likely to also have the same issue. This form of eczema normally starts when a child is very young.
Children who have Atopic Eczema are also more likely to suffer from other conditions associated with allergies like Hayfever and Asthma.
Will my child’s eczema get better or go away?
Eczema is not a constant. It gets better and worse unexpectedly. There is no cure for eczema but there are several treatments available to help control it and make the good periods last longer between flare-ups and also make the bad periods not as bad. 75% of children grow out of eczema before they hit their teens.
What causes my child’s eczema to flare-up?
Eczema has many triggers that can lead to flare-ups. Below are a few of the main ones:
- House dust mites
- Pets
- Heat
- Soaps and bubble baths
- Certain foods
Avoiding things that you know can cause the eczema to get worse is advisable but is is not always possible as a lot of the triggers are involved in everyday life.
Treatment
There are lots of different emollient products available. Emollient ointments are the best way to moisturise the skin for the longest perios of time. There are also emollient creams, emollient lotions and emmolient gels available. The Oilatum Junior range is aimed at treating childhood eczema.
Your GP or nurse will be able to help you come up with a plan involving a range of emollinet products to help you avoid using products that may cause flare-ups. This is known as ‘complete emollient therapy’.
Most cases of eczema can be controlled uing a good emollient therapy routine and the occassional topical steroid (ask your doctor about these), but if your child has a bad or proloned flare-up then there are other treatments that your GP will be able to prescribe.
For more help with eczema you should speak to you GP or healthcare professional.