According to studies, the eczema is formed at the instance the skin barrier sustains defects. It will then suffer water loss on the epidermal layer, allowing for allergens and irritants to penetrate the epidermis. Pruritus or itching occurs resulting in mechanical trauma when scratched. The skin then inflames into atopic dermatitis or simply, eczema.
The location of eczema outbreaks has a connection with baby’s growth stage. Eczema on babies’ face first develops and appears on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck. When babies are theething as early as 4 months untill 2 years, excess saliva dripping off their mouths, irritate the skin, due to its acidic nature.
Then, as babies grow older, rashes start to go down other body areas from 3-4 years old onwards. Although genes may have a large contributing factor to atopic skin, environmental factors’ contribution are also great.
Eczema on babies face is aggravated by cold weather, especially wind, that dries out the skin.
Some preventive measures are very effective in stopping violent outbreaks of eczema on babies face:
– do not excessively clean the face with strong soaps etc, do it once a day with water and a mild soap if necessary. Calcar from water and soaps dry out the skin
– always use an emollient after washing the face as it is better absorbed
– rough materials rubbing against skin are to be avoided: wool clothing, rough sheets, scarves etc
– if you need to wipe baby’s face, do it with a soft, clean fabric, nothing abrasive should be used
– avoid strong detergents for washing babies clothes, sheets, towels use sensitive skin ones
In taking care of eczema on babies face, soap is one important tool. Most soap bars today are made using lower oil quality which only results in lower quality of soaps. The heat factor destroys the good properties of soap, and the whole process takes out its glycerin. Manufacturing of soaps will not be complete without the addition of preservatives, fragrances, colouring and other additives, all of which may trigger allergic reactions.
Treating Eczema on Babies’ Face
Ordinary soaps may trigger or aggravate the onslaught of eczema, and the face is usually not spared. When there is eczema on babies’ face, these infants are more inclined to scratch or touch them with their hands. This will irritate the flare ups. Soap formulated for eczema skin may work wonders not only on babies’ face, but in their entire body as well.
• Grahams Natural Babies Cream. Its main ingredient is a natural combination of Manuka honey and oils. It does not have artificial colorings, other chemicals and perfumes.
• Oatmeal Mask. This mask can effectively heal eczema on babies’ face. To prepare, soak one cup of uncooked oatmeal in a bowl of boiling water. Drain when the oatmeal is already puffy and let it sit until cool. Using clean bare hands, squeeze out oatmeal’s excess water, and apply it on baby’s rashes. It is best to place it when the baby is sleeping. Do this three to four times in a day.
• Calendulis plus cream. Graham’s calendulas plus cream also uses Emu oil, Manuka honey, propolis, calendula, and centella asiatica—in aqueous base to ensure freshness. The cream can be used to treat the eczema on babies’ face, but great care must be taken to keep it from the baby’s eyes and mouth. It comes with a warning that propolis may cause infection or allergies, so it is best to consult first the physician whether propolis is suitable.
• GN Kids Eczema cream. Also by Graham’s, this cream is prepared from cocoa butter, jojoba oil, shea butter, olive oil, vanilla tincture, vitamin E, among others. Its active ingredient is colloidal oatmeal. This cream is designed for babies and children, and can be applied even on the face.
• Natralia Nourish Eczema & Psoriasis cream. Formulated for children’s body and most especially for the treatment of eczema on babies’ face, natralia is enriched with therapeutic properties and emollient. Its ingredients are homeopathic, essential oils, and herbal extracts for symptomatic relief. A few natural ingredients include aloe vera, evening primrose oil, licorice, lavender oil, calendula, bergamot oil, zinc oxide, chamomile oil, sandalwood, and vitamin E. For treatment of scaly skin, it has kalium sulphuricum; and for eczema on creases and elbows, it has graphites. Both ingredients are homeopathic.
Overcoming my son’s eczema, was, in our case a mix of natural homeopathic measures and medical treatments in several stages, but finally we managed to keep this condition away for years now.