Soothing Itchy Skin: Effective Solutions for Baby Eczema

Baby eczema is characterised by persistent itchiness, often occurring even before a visible rash appears. The common areas affected by eczema rashes in babies are the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, and feet. Additionally, I've noticed that the fronts of the ankles and the eyelids can also be prone to itchy skin in my own baby. Unfortunately, the itchiness can become so intense that babies may scratch their skin until it bleeds, leading to a vicious cycle known as the itch-scratch cycle. This cycle further aggravates and inflames your baby's skin, exacerbating the discomfort.

Getting the eczema itch under control

Taking control of your baby's itchy skin is crucial for ensuring that their skin is happy and comfortable. To provide immediate relief for my toddler, the first step I take is applying a cold compress to the intensely itchy areas. I achieve this by wrapping a small bag of frozen peas in a damp tea towel. Once the urge to scratch subsides, I swiftly apply a steroid cream to the affected skin, followed by a gentle eczema moisturiser.

By following this routine of cold compress, steroid cream, and moisturiser, I have found effective relief for my toddler's itchy skin. Prioritising the management of itching is the first step towards nurturing your baby's skin and promoting their overall well-being.

Use bath time to help manage itchy skin

The key to effectively managing baby eczema is preventing itchiness, and our bath time routine plays a significant role in achieving this in our household.

To begin, I prepare a lukewarm bath, and while the water is running, I add two heaped spoonful’s of Itchy Baby Co. Bath Soak. I avoid adding any additional substances to the bathwater, as bubbles can irritate your baby's skin and exacerbate eczema symptoms. I keep the bath duration short, no longer than ten minutes. Once I remove my toddler from the bath, I gently blot his skin dry instead of rubbing it, preserving its moisture. While his skin is still warm, I apply moisturiser (specifically, emulsifying ointment in water) all over his body, including his face. If my toddler is experiencing a flare-up, I apply the steroid cream before the moisturiser.

Moisturising immediately after bath time is crucial in managing baby eczema, as it helps seal the moisture in your baby's skin and alleviate itchiness.

Twice a week, following the moisturising session, I trim my toddler's nails while they are still soft from the bath water. This practice prevents the risk of skin breakage and potential infections that could result from scratching with long nails.

This blog post is brought to you and your baby with love from 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.