Image: iStock
Parents make every effort to ensure that their precious little one is safe, healthy and sound. Taking care of a newborn can be stressful. They need all your care and attention 24/7 and can’t communicate their needs to you. This makes figuring out what could be bothering them even more difficult, which is unfortunate because this is when your baby is susceptible to many illnesses and conditions. And it’s hard to tell if something is serious or just a passing virus with your little one. So usually the only thing you can do is wait and book as many doctor’s appointments as possible. Parents are even more paranoid during winter and they have reason to be. All that cold, dry air can lead to your baby being itchy and may even give rise to the appearance of some dry skin rashes on your toddler. Now this isn’t necessarily a surprise. Your baby will be a lot more uncomfortable during the winter months and will probably need to be doused with lotion every chance you get.
But there may be another reason for the discomfort and irritation your baby is experiencing and that’s eczema. This is a skin condition that usually appears earlier in life for the people who develop it. It causes dry, bumpy and itchy skin but is not contagious. However, it is genetic, so if you’ve got eczema, chances are, so will your baby (1). Eczema is a type of dermatitis which is a group of skin conditions that cause inflammation in the skin. So the best bet you have of keeping your baby’s skin calm is to avoid allergens or any triggers that may cause their eczema to act up. There are also several treatments such as creams that your little one can use after having consulted their dermatologist and pediatrician. Keep in mind that the reason for Eczema is unknown, but according to the National Eczema Association, it’s linked to allergic diseases (2). Here are some things you can do to minimize a flare up or shorten the duration when they do occur.
1. Humidifier
Image: IStock
One main cause for itchiness and dry skin is of course, dry air. So, if you suspect that the air in your house is rather dry, don’t hesitate to invest in a good humidifier and use it every chance you get, especially when your baby is in the room. Even if you can’t particularly sense that the air is getting dry, it doesn’t hurt to add more moisture in the air. Make sure you have the humidifier on throughout the day if it’s winter season. Using a humidifier regularly is an easy way to reduce eczema flare ups and minimize their occurrence altogether.
2. Coconut Oil
Image: IStock
Coconut oil is everyone’s best friend. It’s great for your health, your hair and yes, even your skin! Keeping eczema at bay is all about introducing moisture into your baby’s skin. They need to maintain a high level of moisture so that they don’t starch to scratch their skin. But if you’re worried about using too much lotion on them because of all of the chemicals in those products, then using pure coconut oil is a great alternative. It’s natural, extremely moisturizing and very safe for your little one. This way even if they can’t keep their hands out of their mouth, the only thing they are consuming is healthy oil. What more could you ask for?
3. Bathing
Yes your baby is bound to get dirty, but a little dirt didn’t hurt anybody. Bathing one too many times however, can do some serious damage, especially if your little one has eczema. Bathing too many times a day or even a week can cause your baby’s skin to dry out which can cause flare ups. So make sure to give your baby’s skin a chance to retain their natural oils that usually get stripped away after the use of soap and water. After all, babies don’t need to take a bath on a daily basis anyway. So hold your horses and just let your baby be.
4. Oatmeal Bath
Image: IStock
At the times when you do bathe your baby, try giving them a nice oatmeal bath instead of a regular one as this will soothe their itchy skin. Blend some oats into a fine powder and add about 1/3 cup to the bath water. Easy! Now your baby can enjoy a bath without having to worry about dry skin at the end of it.
Before you use any of these natural remedies, be sure to check with your pediatrician and make sure that the diagnosis for eczema is accurate. Dealing with a lifelong skin condition can be tricky and figuring out what calms your baby’s skin may take some trial and error. So be patient with yourself and give these remedies a shot!
