Eczema can be described as a condition, where the skin gets inflamed and turns itchy, scaly and dry. It is not a contagious condition, but it could lead to an infection, if the skin is scratched excessively. Eczema in babies can be quite a common problem and patches of eczema can infect the skin on almost any part of the baby’s body. In babies, the condition most commonly affects the face, belly, neck, and the skin behind the elbows and knees. Eczema in babies can cause them to feel some amount of discomfort. Fortunately, treating eczema in babies is not very difficult.
Natural Remedies for Eczema
Treating eczema is very important, as eczema in babies can rob their skin of moisture. Therefore, the most important aspect of treatment for eczema in babies includes keeping the affected part of the skin adequately moist and hydrated. Bathing the baby everyday may be best, but the water should not be too warm, as warm water dries the skin out further. Moreover, the soap used to bathe the baby should be very mild; soaps that contain perfumes and dyes should be strictly avoided. After bathing the baby, the skin should just be patted dry (not rubbed vigorously), before applying a thick layer of moisturizer, like natural Aloe Vera lotion. The ideal recommendation for applying the lotion is four or five times a day. There are a few other natural remedies for eczema in babies:
• Giving the baby an oatmeal bath would help soothe the baby’s skin. Grind two cups of oatmeal into a fine powder and stir it to a running bath of lukewarm water. Allow the baby to soak in the water for about 15 minutes or so, before rinsing the baby’s skin with clean water. For severe cases of eczema in babies, oatmeal baths can also be given twice a day.
• A natural skin wash can be prepared at home, using two cups of water, a teaspoon of comfrey root, a teaspoon of slippery elm bark and a teaspoon of white oak bark. All the ingredients need to be mixed well and boiled on a low flame, for about half an hour. After the mixture cools, it should be strained and the liquid should be saved and used, like any body wash or face wash.
In case the severity of eczema in babies does not reduce within a few weeks, or if the inflammation seems to worsen, it is best to consult a doctor. The doctor would prescribe a mild topical steroid, for treating eczema in babies. All instances of eczema in babies should be carefully monitored, especially for signs of infection.