Understanding and treating baby eczema

Is your baby suffering from eczema? This skin condition affects more and more infants and causes great stress for parents. Indeed, even though it is mild, this illness is problematic in the long run because it recurs in flare-ups!

To fight it, it is important to understand its origin and how it shows itself in babies. Discover in this article the causes of baby eczema, such as genetic predispositions and allergens, as well as natural and effective solutions to treat it while respecting your baby's skin.

The causes of baby eczema

What is baby eczema?

Baby eczema or atopic eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that can appear in children as early as one month old. Yes, that early...

It is a chronic condition that not only begins very early in the child's life but also develops in flare-ups. Although it usually disappears before adolescence, it sometimes reappears in adulthood. So, one can never be sure to get rid of it completely.

What are the causes of baby eczema?

The causes of baby eczema are multiple.

First, there are genetic predispositions, also called the family background. Indeed, a child whose parent has atopic skin is at risk of suffering from eczema.

This is explained by an overly permeable outer skin barrier. It cannot retain the water necessary for healthy skin and lets in external elements such as allergens and bacteria, which trigger a defense reaction: eczema.

Second, still linked to genetics, atopy comes with an immune system that overreacts to the slightest attack. In the presence of an external element, sometimes harmless, the immune system defends itself excessively. The result: inflammation beneath the skin barrier, which shows as eczema flare-ups!

Third, baby eczema often appears after contact with triggers. These can be food allergens (e.g., nuts), environmental (e.g., pollen, wool, insect bites...), chemical products (shampoos, shower gels...), drool (due to a pH too high compared to the skin), vaccinations (allergy/response).

Pollen can be a trigger for eczema

Finally, aggravating factors such as stress (separation, arrival of a little brother or sister...), teething, childhood illnesses, scratching, and rubbing can trigger and/or worsen flare-ups.

What are the symptoms of eczema in babies?

Dear parents, vigilance is necessary: if you see a rash of red patches that make your child's skin dry, scaly, even cracked, and cause itching, it is probably eczema.

In babies, this skin condition most often starts on the forehead, then spreads to the cheeks, chin, or thighs. As mentioned above, it can appear as early as the first months after birth.

Also watch out for areas like the back, arms, and thighs, where it can also sneak in!

How to treat baby eczema?

Strengthen the skin barrier with natural oils

Unfortunately, there are currently no medicines that completely cure infant eczema. Eczema is a chronic condition, and its treatment is long-term. So you will need to care for your baby's skin daily!

To strengthen the skin barrier and thus prevent various triggers from penetrating, rely on products made from natural oils and natural butters, organic, and from a first cold pressing. They will help keep your child's skin in constant moisture while respecting it.

Forget cortisone and other chemical substances that harm the skin and can cause an even stronger reaction!

We recommend, for example, shea butter, sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, hemp oil, and so on.

Shea butter is especially known for its nourishing, soothing, and above all moisturizing qualities. It will reduce your baby's skin dryness and help it heal.

Apply these treatments daily on the areas affected by flare-ups. Above all, be consistent; this is the key to a healthy skin barrier and eczema that disappears!

Soothe your baby's skin

It is also important to soothe your child's skin to avoid scratching and rubbing that worsen eczema, but also for their own comfort!

Choose, for example, Roman chamomile hydrosol or marigold macerate, which are natural, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and skin-friendly ingredients.

Habits to adopt

Certain habits, in addition to the treatments mentioned above, greatly help fight baby eczema.

These include avoiding as much as possible chemical products (shower gels, shampoos, etc. Be careful, even in pharmacies, some baby products contain controversial synthetic substances!), maintaining a good lifestyle (healthy diet, ensuring enough drinking...), dietary supplements if necessary (e.g., organic evening primrose oil for babies), salt baths, and making sure bath water is not too hard (oats help soften it).

And of course, keep things in perspective, do not stress too much: eczema can take time to disappear; the most important thing is consistency and lots of love for your baby!

Finally, know that our Olie Neela products contain all these natural and wholesome ingredients that help strengthen the skin barrier and soothe eczema-prone and atopic skin. All our ranges are suitable for babies as well as parents and expectant mothers! Also find our complete guide with even more advice to regain control.