Eczema Patient and Family Education

Eczema
Patient and Family Education
This teaching sheet contains general information only. Your child’s doctor or a member of your
child’s health care team will talk with you about specific care for your child.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition. It is also called atopic dermatitis. It begins in babies or children and may be
genetic (passed through the genes from parent to child). The exact cause is often unknown, but it may be
caused by:
Allergies to food or other things
Sweating or wetness of the skin
Very dry skin
Cigarette smoke
It may sometimes occur with hay fever or asthma.
What are the possible symptoms?
The symptoms may come and go and include any of these skin problems:
Redness
Itching, which may be very intense at times
Swelling
Scaling
Rough, dry skin
How can I help prevent eczema flare-ups?
Avoid foods or other things that seem to make the rash worse. Avoid soaps, lotions and other products
with perfumes or dyes.
Avoid getting too hot or cold, especially during summer and winter.
Use soft, loose-fitting cotton clothing. Avoid wool or acrylic blankets or sleepers.
Cover your child’s legs when he crawls or plays on wool carpeting.
Keep your child’s skin clean and dry. When bathing, use less soap and water than usual. Gently pat skin
dry and apply a moisturizing ointment or cream right away.
How do I treat eczema?
Some general guidelines to follow include:
Use the type of soap, sunscreen and detergent advised by your child’s doctor.
Your child’s doctor may prescribe:
- A steroid cream to reduce inflammation. Do not cover large areas of your child’s body with it.
- An antibiotic if needed to treat infection.
- An antihistamine such as Benadryl to help control itching.
In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
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Eczema, continued
Keep your child’s fingernails short and covered with cotton socks if needed.
If advised by your child’s doctor, use a skin care moisturizing ointment or cream that does not contain
alcohol, perfume or irritate your child’s skin.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your child’s doctor if:
You see these signs of infection:
- Increased redness
- Pain or swelling of affected area
- Drainage or bad smell from affected area
- Fever (temperature over 100.3°F)
- Symptoms get worse with treatment
If your child gets eczema often or his eczema does not get better, he may need more care by his doctor or a
skin specialist.
Also call your child’s doctor if you have questions or concerns about how your child looks or feels.
In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
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