When a Baby Has Eczema – What Do You Do?
by Kyra Bradbury
Eczema is more common in babies with a family history of allergies or asthma. It begins as a bright red looking rash on the cheeks and then progresses to other areas of the body like behind the ears, and to the neck, arms and legs. After a baby turns six or eight months, the red, scaly rash can move into the diaper area too. Small pus filled bumps will fill up, ooze and then crust over. When baby scratches the itchy areas, the skin can become infected. It’s important to seek medical treatment for the eczema in most cases in order to prevent complications like infection. About 50% of children will clear up by around eighteen months of age and will become milder by around age three. One third of babies with eczema will also have allergies or asthma at some time later in their childhood.
