Gentle Skin Care / Eczema
By Dr. Brown
Many people have dry, cracky skin. Dermatologists often call this eczema. There are many things that can make this worse and many things to make it better. You may have noticed that we have not said it can be cured. Sorry. When skin is overly dry it can lead to itching and that can cause the skin barrier to be lost and then bacteria or viruses or fungus can cause infections to enter. Sleepless nights and irritable children can result. So, good, gentle skin care is important.
Things that exacerbate eczema:
1. Frequent bathing. Since water removes the natural oils, less time in water is very useful. We suggest 3-5 minutes only and every other day. Occasionally baths every day may need to happen!
2. Harsh soaps. Avoid the deodorant soaps and bubble baths as they also dry out the skin. Dove, Camay, Basis, and Caress are very mild and are suggested. Avoid the liquid soaps since there is a tendency to use way too much with this form of soap.
3. Harsh laundry detergents. Avoid Tide, All, and Cheer. Although these are wonderful cleaners and really do a great job of children's dirt, they also are tough on many people's skin. Try Dreft detergent, it has been the mildest for decades. Double rinse the clothes also.
4. Fabric softeners. Downy and Bounce often have agents that may trigger breakouts.
5. Skin creams with lots of preservatives. We usually suggest Eucerin Cream, original moisturizing cream (avoid the lotion version) or Aquaphor. Since friction exacerbates irritated skin put a gob on your hands and rub together to warm and then pat in place on the skin of the child. You can do this many times a day. Some children may need this once or twice a day and others may need this ten times a day. Other very good creams are Cetaphil, Curel, Cera-Ve, and Vanicream. Which cream works best depends on the individual child. You may be able to compare creams by putting one on the right side of the body and another competing cream on the left side of the body for several days in a row to see which cream works better for your child.
6. Stress. A new tooth, a viral illness of the upper respiratory system, or even a stomach bug may make the skin worse. Being over tired or working on something developmentally can make skin worse. Trying to pay attention to bed time can help to have the child sleep better and the skin feel better.
7. Hot tubs, swimming pools, and sprinklers on the lawn. The more the skin is in water and chlorine the drier the skin can become, so limit these activities. Rinse with water after swimming and lubricate with your preferred cream.
8. Fair complexion. Children with fair complexion may need more attention, as they are prone to drier skin.
9. Steroid creams can also help for the breakout. Be careful not to use lots of steroid containing medicines too often Overuse of steroids can thin the skin and make it very vulnerable to abrasions and infections. 1% hydrocortisone is over the counter and works well 2-4 times a day. Check with your doctor for which steroid creams can be applied and when you may need it.
10. Sun exposure. Sun exposure also dries the skin. Avoid using sunscreens with too high of an SPF. We suggest 30 SPF, PABA-free, and waterproof. Apply before going into the sunshine and reapply a few hours later especially if you are in water. Using the 45 and 60 SPF is frequently too strong on sensitive skin and may cause breakouts of rashes.
Skin infections are a common and are also common complications of eczema and may need to be treated. See Impetigo.
Many people have dry, cracky skin. Dermatologists often call this eczema. There are many things that can make this worse and many things to make it better. You may have noticed that we have not said it can be cured. Sorry. When skin is overly dry it can lead to itching and that can cause the skin barrier to be lost and then bacteria or viruses or fungus can cause infections to enter. Sleepless nights and irritable children can result. So, good, gentle skin care is important.
Things that exacerbate eczema:
1. Frequent bathing. Since water removes the natural oils, less time in water is very useful. We suggest 3-5 minutes only and every other day. Occasionally baths every day may need to happen!
2. Harsh soaps. Avoid the deodorant soaps and bubble baths as they also dry out the skin. Dove, Camay, Basis, and Caress are very mild and are suggested. Avoid the liquid soaps since there is a tendency to use way too much with this form of soap.
3. Harsh laundry detergents. Avoid Tide, All, and Cheer. Although these are wonderful cleaners and really do a great job of children's dirt, they also are tough on many people's skin. Try Dreft detergent, it has been the mildest for decades. Double rinse the clothes also.
4. Fabric softeners. Downy and Bounce often have agents that may trigger breakouts.
5. Skin creams with lots of preservatives. We usually suggest Eucerin Cream, original moisturizing cream (avoid the lotion version) or Aquaphor. Since friction exacerbates irritated skin put a gob on your hands and rub together to warm and then pat in place on the skin of the child. You can do this many times a day. Some children may need this once or twice a day and others may need this ten times a day. Other very good creams are Cetaphil, Curel, Cera-Ve, and Vanicream. Which cream works best depends on the individual child. You may be able to compare creams by putting one on the right side of the body and another competing cream on the left side of the body for several days in a row to see which cream works better for your child.
6. Stress. A new tooth, a viral illness of the upper respiratory system, or even a stomach bug may make the skin worse. Being over tired or working on something developmentally can make skin worse. Trying to pay attention to bed time can help to have the child sleep better and the skin feel better.
7. Hot tubs, swimming pools, and sprinklers on the lawn. The more the skin is in water and chlorine the drier the skin can become, so limit these activities. Rinse with water after swimming and lubricate with your preferred cream.
8. Fair complexion. Children with fair complexion may need more attention, as they are prone to drier skin.
9. Steroid creams can also help for the breakout. Be careful not to use lots of steroid containing medicines too often Overuse of steroids can thin the skin and make it very vulnerable to abrasions and infections. 1% hydrocortisone is over the counter and works well 2-4 times a day. Check with your doctor for which steroid creams can be applied and when you may need it.
10. Sun exposure. Sun exposure also dries the skin. Avoid using sunscreens with too high of an SPF. We suggest 30 SPF, PABA-free, and waterproof. Apply before going into the sunshine and reapply a few hours later especially if you are in water. Using the 45 and 60 SPF is frequently too strong on sensitive skin and may cause breakouts of rashes.
Skin infections are a common and are also common complications of eczema and may need to be treated. See Impetigo.