Does your baby scratch, have dry, red skin and have trouble sleeping? He may be prone to atopic eczema . This skin disease, often chronic, is also called atopic dermatitis. It can take on several aspects in young children. What is atopic eczema? What are the causes of atopic eczema in babies ? How to treat, relieve and prevent flare-ups? We cover all these subjects in today's article and we present our products to relieve atopic eczema .
What is atopic eczema?
Atopic eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes itching, redness, dry skin and, sometimes, can create lesions on the skin. When a baby has atopic eczema, their skin is noticed to be irritated, dry and often cracked. It may also present with swelling or edema. Rest assured, this skin condition is not contagious ! However, the term “atopic” implies that this disease comes from a genetic background favorable to allergies. Atopy makes the child more sensitive to all types of allergens (hair, food, mites, pollen, etc.).
What areas are affected by eczema?
In young children with eczema, we notice that the outbreaks are localized on the face and body. The most affected areas are the face, hands, cheeks, forehead, neck, elbows, back and knees.
How many babies are affected by this skin disease?
It is estimated that atopic dermatitis affects 1 in 5 babies ! Most of the time, the first eczematous outbreaks appear during the three months of an infant's life. These can be recurring or more spaced out. We notice that children who live in polluted cities or with very hard water are more prone to it.
Generally, after 2 years, the flare-ups take on a different appearance: they create thicker, whitish plaques on the surface of the skin and are very itchy. With age, irritations are more located in the folds: elbows, knees, behind the ears, buttocks and wrists.
In some cases, eczema may disappear completely after a few years. In others, the disease returns sporadically, somewhat without warning. Finally, in the most “serious” cases, the disease never leaves its subject and can last until adulthood .
What are the causes of atopic eczema?
The causes of atopic eczema can be diverse. Please note that babies who develop eczema often have a genetic predisposition . Indeed, according to the Ameli.fr website, 50 to 70% of them have a first-degree relative who is themselves affected. Among the other causes of eczema, we note that very dry skin, with a non-existent hydrolipidic film , is more sensitive to the environment (sun, pollution, cleansing treatments, etc.). Their skin not being protected, it is more permeable. To defend itself, the body will trigger an inappropriate immune defense: eczema sets in.
The immune reaction can also come from an allergic reaction to a food.
The cause of eczema on the face
The face is the part of the body generally most affected by eczema. On a baby's face, eczema is often atopic eczema.
The cause of eczema on the face is that this area is particularly drier, thin and sensitive. Until the age of 3, the baby's skin is considered immature. In fact, its sebaceous glands, which have the function of producing sweat and sebum, do not fulfill their role. The skin's defenses to protect against dehydration and the penetration of external aggressions are thus reduced.
It is therefore more permeable to allergens found in the environment such as pollen, soaps, cosmetic ingredients, perfumes and even dust mites.
Moisturizing and strengthening your skin barrier with suitable facial creams is therefore essential. Also remember to clean your baby's face regularly because it is a messy area (drooling, regurgitation, eating, etc.) with cleansing products formulated without allergens.
The cause of eczema on the body
The causes of eczema on the body are not certain and can be multiple. The barrier defect remains the main cause.
Certain everyday actions can also trigger or worsen atopic eczema, such as:
- Friction of certain synthetic or wool-based fabrics
- Allergens in detergent or fabric softener fragrances
- Irritant or allergenic ingredients contained in cosmetic products
- Allergenic foods like nuts
- Dust, pollen, mold
Eczema causes a lot of discomfort for babies: the skin itches, itches, feels tight.
These products for atopic eczema might interest you
Natural solutions to act on the cause of eczema
Treat and relieve dry, atopic-prone skin
When a baby suffers from atopic eczema, it is important to provide daily care that will act on the cause of the eczema: the barrier defect. It is important to repair and strengthen the skin barrier. In fact, the skin no longer fulfills its role as barrier and protection. By strengthening it, we treat the cause. An emollient and soothing treatment is more effective than a moisturizer.
For this, we advise you to use the certified ORGANIC Baby Atopic Eczema Emollient Cream . An emollient cream is a cream that hydrates, softens the skin, strengthens its protective barrier and soothes redness. This cream contains a plant extract, Cassia Alata, an ancestral plant from Madagascar. Cassia Alata has exceptional properties for treating and relieving atopic eczema. It acts on the cause of eczema by strengthening the skin barrier. This innovation is patented by Laboratoires Téane. Rated 100/100 on Yuka, this cream has proven itself: 100% of people who tested the cream found their skin more soothed and 72% found it hydrated for longer.
Clean and protect the skin while bathing
Before bathing, you can coat your child's skin with Multi-Care Baby Oil . This oil will wrap your baby in a protective layer. This certified organic oil protects the skin from the drying effects of water. It is also nourishing because it contains essential fatty acids. It can also be used to massage or nourish the skin locally (dry patches, cradle cap, etc.). It contains vegetable oils enriched with essential fatty acids.
The first thing to do, even if your baby does not have any skin problems, is to use gentle and natural care . No more aggressive surfactants, an infant's skin needs softness! For this, choose superfatted soaps or soap-free cleansing gels for the shower or bath, such as the Baby Wash Gel - Douceur Lavante from Laboratoires Téane . Certified organic, this cleansing product does not dry out the skin and is ideal for atopic skin . In its formula, we find soothing, calming and moisturizing ingredients. Everything you need to take care of the skin!
These three products are part of the prevention phase. They can also be used during flare-ups to heal . Their softness can only do good for the skin! To prevent flare-ups , also be sure to avoid baths that are too hot. But also to dry the skin by patting and to avoid synthetic materials.
In case of severe atopic eczema, consult a doctor.
