When infants experience atopic dermatitis it can affect each baby differently depending on their age and how severe their symptoms are. If they show signs of atopic dermatitis in infancy it generally manifest itself between the ages of six to twelve weeks. It first appears on the chin and cheeks as a patchy rash and if not handled properly can become inflamed and oozy. Since most over the counter and prescription medications are not recommended for children under two years, infant cases of atopic dermatitis can be difficult to treat.

Since infants under two have have fewer treatment options they have a higher risk of infection. Keeping their nails clipped and using mittens at night will help cut down on infections cause by scratching. When infants become mobile and start to crawl the rash may spread to exposed areas that rub as they move such as the outer parts of the arms and legs. They can be restless and irritable due to the itching that atopic dermatitis causes.

Since treatments for infants are limited first thing parents should do it try to avoid outbreaks as much as possible. This is done through carefully observing what causes an outbreak since each child is different. Once the triggers are found the can be avoided.

Laundry detergent is a major irritant so be sure to wash all clothing in a soap free of dyes and fragrances such as Dreft. It is important to remember to also wash their bedding and your clothes in it as well. Any material in your home that may come in contact with the infants skin should be washed in the hypoallergenic detergent.

How the infant is dressed has a great affect on outbreaks as well. Avoid dressing the infant, or anyone else they may come in contact with, in wool or any other harsh material. These material can rub against already irritated skin and cause serious inflammation. Also it is best to avoid over dressing the infant or putting to many blankets on them because excessive sweating can increase irritation in the skin as well.

Regardless of the cause of the outbreak, proper skin care is vital for control inf infant atopic dermatitis. Proper skin care begins with the frequency of bathing. Infants should only be given a full bath every other day. On the off days it is recommended that they be given a sponge bath with a cleanser designed for sensitive skin such as Cetaphil. The infants skin is simply cleaned with a wash cloth that contains the cleanser and the another that does not to rinse. However a bath is given it is vital to moisturize the skin with a lotion for sensitive skin which Cetaphil also produces and Eucerin is widely used too.

Prescription creams are not recommended for infants under two but may be prescribed in sever cases. Otherwise, to help combat itching 0.5% hydrocortisone cream can be used but a dermatologist and/or pediatrician should be consulted before using any over the counter medication on an infants atopic dermatitis. For diaper areas regular diaper rash cream can be helpful.

Atopic dermatitis children are the most commonly affected age group of all. 15-20% of children develop atopic dermatitis. If it’s an infant with atopic eczema, this condition may often resolve completely by the age of 2. If it’s a preschool or a school age child, this condition will also often resolve by the teens. In fact, only 1-2% of adults have atopic dermatitis.

Infantile atopic dermatitis often diffusely covers extensive areas of the body. Once a child learns to crawl, atopic dermatitis starts to localize on the areas that receive friction. Once the child learns to walk, the dermatitis starts to localize on the inner sides of the joint bends, as well as the face and the neck.

What treatments can be used for atopic dermatitis children? The foremost and the safest option are constantly moisturizing the skin of the child, especially after the child takes a shower or a bath.

If it’s a small child, you may also want to place cotton mittens on the hands of the child at bedtime, in order to avoid scratches.

Another good option to look into is special medical anti-bacterial treated bedclothes. These items are often made of 100% cotton, and they imitate silk properties, providing your child with a better sleep, and helping to eliminate the irritating friction between the skin of the child and the fabric.

There are some dietary recommendations that may also help you to improve the state of atopic dermatitis in a child. Most common food products that may cause a swelling and an aggravation of an itch in a child include: eggs, milk, soy products, wheat, and peanuts. In order not to cause any nutritional problems, you may want to try eliminating each of these products for a week or two, and see if the elimination of any of these products improves the condition of the dermatitis.

There also are some foods that may be worth adding to the child’s diet, which are the food sources of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA – an omega-6 fatty acid). The foods richest in this acid are Evening Primrose oil and Borage oil. However, you need to consult with a doctor prior to making any sufficient alterations to the child’s diet, in order to avoid any nutritional problems and any other possible health issues.

Prescription medications that may be used for the treatment of the atopic dermatitis children older than 2 years of age include: low-potency topical steroids (e.g., 1% Hydrocortisone cream), and Calcineurin inhibitors (Elidel and Protopic). However, you need to talk to a doctor prior to starting any medicated treatment on a child.

Atopic dermatitis infants suffer the most from all age groups. It’s estimated that about 15-20% of the infants and children develop atopic dermatitis. The good thing is that this condition in infants often gets better with time, including complete disappearance by the age of 2.

Infantile atopic eczema (children younger than 1 y/o) often spreads widely throughout the whole body. The skin is often red, dry, scaly, and very itchy. Since babies have sharp nails, you may often see small scratches on the affected areas of their skin. One of the best things to do in this case is to place comfortable cotton mittens on the child (especially at bedtime), so that the baby does not injury his/her skin even more.

Infants often have dermatitis on their cheeks, scalp, and the rest of their bodies. At the same time, the diaper area is generally spared from atopic dermatitis due to the accumulation of moisture and sweat under the diapers. The same is true for the deep skin folds, such as armpits and groin area.

Some atopic dermatitis infants develop food allergy-related aggravation in the form of swelling and extremely itchy hives. Eliminating the offending food products often leads to a drastic improvement of the skin. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to eliminating any foods from the child’s diet, since it’s also very important that an infant receives proper nutrition. Protein and calorie deficiency should be strictly avoided, and your doctor will help you to put together a proper dietary regimen for your child.

Infantile eczema (childhood eczema) cannot be treated with the regular treatments for adults. Topical steroids (Hydrocortisone, Prednisone, etc.) and Calcineurin inhibitors (Tacrolimus – Protopic, and Pimecrolimus – Elidel) are generally not advised to use on infants. Protopic and Elidel are approved by the FDA only for children older than 2 years of age. Furthermore, you should ask the doctor about the potency of the topical steroid cream that would be suitable for your child.

The best and the safest way to help an infant, is by constant moisturizing of the skin. You should try to keep the skin of an infant constantly moisturized, and it’s especially important to apply the cream after a bath.

Also, there are special bedclothes that you may want to look into. These are 100% cotton linens, blankets, and pillowcases. Such special medical bedclothes receive an antibacterial treatment, they imitate silk properties, and they reduce the irritating friction between the skin of an infant and the fabric.

Atopic dermatitis infants may be safely helped with various natural methods. If you wish to try any medication or any substantial diet alteration, it’s important that you first consult with a doctor.