BABY ECZEMA-PRONE SKIN
Proper care for newborn eczema makes life easier for the whole family
Irritable skin conditions such as newborn eczema can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain for infants. Irritated by itching sensations, babies cry, become agitated, and are unable to sleep. A sleepless baby can disrupt life for the entire family, so parents need to know how to treat baby eczema, prevent flare-ups, and care for their newborn’s skin. There is hope, we promise, so read on!
What is newborn eczema?
Eczema or atopic dermatitis has a genetic component and runs in families. Eczema is caused by constitutionally dry skin (skin that is dry by nature, rather than skin that has become dry after being exposed to harsh products for example) and is vulnerable to allergens and irritants, which penetrate the skin causing intense itching.
In newborns, eczema is generally found on the face, but it may also develop in the skin folds around knees, wrists, and elbows as your baby grows.
Will eczema scar my baby?
In and of itself, baby eczema does not cause scarring. If your baby’s eczema becomes severely infected, and this remains untreated, it could potentially leave scarring behind. If your baby’s eczema looks like it might be infected (if it is oozing pus, or covered in golden crusts or open sores), always consult your primary care doctor (GP).
Baby eczema may diminish over time, but meanwhile you need to learn how to manage it
In older children, eczema becomes less common, and, in 50% of cases, eczema gradually goes away by the age of about five years. But in the meanwhile, parents need expert advice and tips on how to manage the symptoms and minimise flare-ups. Read on for advice and tips on how to manage baby eczema.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF
BABY ECZEMA
Everyday tips to make living with eczema easier
When newborn eczema flares up, to reduce inflammation and itching, dermatologists and paediatricians generally prescribe topical corticosteroid creams to be used once a day, preferably at night. To complement and optimise your little one's daily care routine, particular attention should be paid to bathing and cleansing baby’s skin:
• Opt for lukewarm showers or baths, no warmer than 37 degrees.
• Use a very mild, soap-free cleansing cream or gel.
• Thoroughly but gently pat skin dry.
• Apply creams within 10 minutes of your baby's shower or bath. This helps the active ingredients in the emollient or steroid cream to better penetrate the skin.
• As soon as the eczema lesions go (the redness has faded and the skin is no longer cracked or blistered) the steroid cream should be replaced with an emollient.
• Finally, don’t forget to cut and file baby’s fingernails to stop them from damaging skin. Cutting alone can leave sharp edges so don’t skip the filing!
DAILY CARE PRODUCTS
FOR NEWBORN ATOPIC ECZEMA-PRONE SKIN
It's important to handle your baby's delicate skin with the utmost care. Choose products that are fragrance-free, do not contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol or soap, and are specially formulated for babies.
La Roche-Posay, recommended by 25,000 dermatologists, has developed cosmetic products specifically designed for babies’ atopic eczema prone skin to take care of the skin of your baby in parallel of the treatment prescribed by your doctor. Our LIPIKAR skincare products are fragrance-free, enriched with Niacinamide and Shea Butter, and formulated to meet the specific needs of atopic eczema-prone skin:
• Immediately soothes itching due to dryness
• Repairs the layer of lipids protecting skin (the skin barrier)
• Restores balance of the friendly bacteria that live on skin
• Decreases the frequency of severe dryness flare-ups
LIPIKAR Syndet is a mild, soap-free cream wash, suitable for your baby's dry and fragile skin.
A few drops of LIPIKAR Cleansing Oil can be added to the bath water to protect your baby's skin.
LIPIKAR Baume AP+ is a gentle balm that helps soothes the dryness caused by atopic eczema-prone skin.
Good to know: both LIPIKAR Baume AP+ and LIPIKAR Syndet have been tested on maternity wards and are suitable for newborns, from the very first days of life.
Read on for expert advice on how to care for sensitive skin in babies and click HERE for expert advice on how to care for you baby’s atopic eczema-prone skin.
DIAPER DERMATITIS,
OR NAPPY RASH
It's very common, but nappy rash can cause distress
Most babies will suffer from nappy rash at some time, in varying degrees of seriousness. In America it's called diaper rash – but whatever we call it, nappy rash shows up as red, inflamed skin around your baby's bottom.
What causes nappy rash?
The humid environment of a nappy is an ideal place for certain yeasts or bacteria to grow. Contact with the digestive enzymes contained in stools or ammonia contained in urine are also factors that cause inflammation and irritation (dermatitis) of babies' bottoms.
Rubbing and compression have an impact: Too-tight or badly fitting nappies create friction that may contribute to nappy rash.
Chemical substances contained in some washing detergents or some skincare products can also be irritant, and even allergenic.
Finally, the use of antibiotics can sometimes disturb the normal balance of good bacteria that help to control certain organisms like yeasts.
TIPS TO HELP
PREVENT NAPPY RASH
To prevent infection, it's important to keep diaper dermatitis at bay
Simple nappy rash, or diaper dermatitis, can cause your baby discomfort and distress, but there is also a risk of infection. When nappy rash becomes infected, the redness is accompanied by red pimples in the skin folds, sometimes with blisters full of pus. If you notice these signs of infection, consult your paediatrician or GP right away.
Did you know? 10 to 15% of dermatologist consultations are because of nappy rash!
Simple tips to avoid nappy rash:
• Wash your baby's bottom delicately with a soap-free cleanser. Gently dry baby’s bottom and the skin folds.
• Change nappies frequently to reduce time spent in contact with urine and stools (this may mean changing nappies at night too if your baby wakes up while undergoing a nappy rash).
• Clean the bottom gently, and leave it to air dry before re-dressing.
• Apply a protective cream after every nappy change.
• Use creams and lotions that are hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free and alcohol-free.
DAILY DARE PRODUCTS
FOR MINIMISING BOTTOM IRRITATIONS
Choosing the right daily care products will help keep nappy rash at bay. La Roche-Posay is recommended by dermatologists to help with your baby atopic prone skin.
Wash your baby with CICAPLAST Lavant B5 or LIPIKAR Syndet AP+, which are both ultra-gentle, soap-free cleansing formulas. Top tip: Avoid using toilet gloves or sponges, which can rub the skin and cause irritation for your little one.
SEROZINC contains zinc sulphate to cleanse and soothe your baby’s skin.
After cleansing, apply a generous layer of CICAPLAST Baume B5 cream, twice a day.
Read on for expert advice on how to care for sensitive skin in babies and click HERE for expert advice on how to care for you baby’s atopic eczema-prone skin.
SENSITIVE SKIN
IN BABIES
Babies have delicate skin, and many little ones will experience general irritation from time to time. Although it has the same structure as adult skin, baby's skin is more vulnerable to external aggressors like chemicals and pollution. Heat, pollution, friction of clothes against the skin, can all trigger itchy irritation in infants. Although not serious, it can nevertheless be uncomfortable and distressing for your baby.
Paediatricians and dermatologists strongly recommend that children under the age of three should not be directly exposed to the sun, as their skin is more sensitive to UV rays. NB: Even if babies and children are in the shade and not directly in the sun, protection is needed from long UVA rays as these damaging rays can still penetrate your child’s skin.
TIPS TO CARE FOR
INFANTS' SENSITIVE SKIN
Simple steps you can take to keep your baby comfortable
To ensure your baby's comfort and wellbeing, it is important to combine the right routine with the right products, while keeping it simple.
• For laundry, choose a hypoallergenic washing detergent that is safe for babies. Use this to wash your own laundry too, as your baby will spend a lot of time in contact with your clothes and bedding.
• A baby's skin should be cleansed and hydrated every day. A 5-10 minute bath, in water no warmer than 37 degrees, is enough to clean an infant's skin.
• Always dry your baby's skin very gently with a patting action.
• Moisturise baby's skin within 10 minutes after the bath.
• Use gentle and unscented products.
• When spending time outdoors, always use a sunshade, a hat, or a high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen formulated for babies.
• Change nappies regularly.
• Leave several days between the introduction of each new food into their diet.
DAILY CARE PRODUCTS FOR BABIES
Baby skin requires ultra-gentle and minimalist formulations. La Roche-Posay is the brand with expertise in skincare for babies and an unfailing commitment to safety.
CICAPLAST Lavant B5 is an ultra-gentle foaming wash, suitable for babies with normal skin.
For an another suitable option for atopic eczema-prone skin, try LIPIKAR Syndet, a fragrance-free soap substitute with moisturising Shea Butter and soothing niacinamide. Good to know: This product has been tested on newborns in a clinical study under paediatric control.
Apply rich CICAPLAST Lavant B5 to soothe, repair, and protect bottoms, backs of knees, armpits and other body folds that may be prone to irritation.
For dry skin on your baby’s body or face, reach for LIPIKAR Baume AP+, a rich and ultra-soothing emollient which has been tested on newborns, demonstrating its optimal tolerance.
For baby sun care, ANTHELIOS Dermo-Pediatrics SPF 50+ Baby Lotion is gentle, well-tolerated and effective, offering very high protection against UVA, UVB, and long UVA rays – even in the case of indirect exposure. It's cocoon-like texture hydrates and nourishes your baby's skin for optimal protection.
If baby's skin becomes irritated, spray the area with LA ROCHE POSAY Thermal Spring Water. Thanks to its natural soothing properties, it immediately reduce skin irritations. Leave for one minute before dabbing away any excess moisture.
Click HERE for expert advice on how to care for newborn atopic eczema-prone skin, and HERE for nappy rash [link to: h2 Diaper dermatitis, or nappy rash].
