How do I help manage my baby’s eczema and dry skin?

Looking after your child’s eczema and dry skin can take a lot of time, which is especially difficult considering everything else you have to fit into your day. However, the key to managing eczema and dry skin is to find effective products  for your child and to use them in a skin care routine every day which will help to  keep their eczema skin moisturised, hydrated and nourished. Our colloidal oatmeal bath soaks and eczema moisturiser are formulated to become part of a daily skincare routine to deeply hydrate and nourish your little one’s skin. 

What is the most effective way to manage my baby’s eczema and dry skin?

Coupled with sticking to your everyday skincare routine which will add moisture into the skin and stop irritants causing inflammation, is to avoid triggers that can worsen eczema symptoms. Make sure to also dress your baby in loose clothes made of cotton, to avoid irritation of clothing rubbing on skin and stop the skin overheating.

What can make eczema and dry skin worse in my baby?

Your child’s eczema may be different to someone else’s but there are some common triggers to avoid:

• Dry skin

Dry skin can make your baby itchier, so it is important to try and apply moisturiser on your baby consistently and avoid dry environments. Dry skin also creates environment which bacteria love to live in, which when your child scratches their skin can lead to infection and inflammation.

• Irritants

These can be from clothes such as wool or polyester, or from soaps such as perfumed detergents and body soaps. Look for products which don’t contain drying and irritating agents like SLES, SLS, EDTA, parabens.

• Heat and sweat

Heat is the most common eczema trigger because it causes the body to sweat when it tries to regulate the body temperature. Sweat takes all the moisture out of the skin, and increases the likeliness of bringing irritants to the surface where they can aggravate and inflame the skin.

• House dust mites

These are tiny insects which live in your home, especially in humid climates. When eczema skin comes into contact with these allergens, it can increase skin inflammation and itchiness. Even though it is not possible to get rid of house dust mites completely, there are ways to reduce dust mites by wet dusting and vacuuming regularly.

How can I put moisture back into my baby’s skin?

Regular lukewarm baths washes away any bacteria or allergens that may have built up on your baby’s skin, minimising the possibility of infection. Using a hydrating and moisturising bath soak in the bath will add moisture into your child’s skin as well as strengthening the skin’s natural protective barrier. When you take your baby out of the bath, make sure not to dry them out completely as moisturisers work best on damp skin. Maintaining a regular eczema skincare routine for your child will help keep them stay hydrated and help form a barrier to keep allergens and irritants out.

This post was brought to you and your child with love by Julia and the Itchy Baby Co. team. X

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.