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Help: My child suffers from atopic eczema!

Atopic eczema in young children can improve significantly, or even clear completely, as your child grows older.

If your child’s skin is itchy, dry, and cracked, they could be suffering from atopic eczema. Atopic eczema is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday.

Atopic eczema and my child’s skin

Atopic eczema can affect any part of the skin, including the face, but the areas most commonly affected are the bends of the elbows, around the knees, and around the wrists and neck. These are known as “flexural” areas. It affects both sexes equally and usually starts in the first weeks or months of life. It is most common in children, affecting at least 10% of infants, although it can carry on into adult life or come back in the teenage or early adult years.

What causes atopic eczema in children?

This is still not fully understood. Atopy runs in families and is part of your genetic make-up. Atopic people have an overactive immune system and their skin easily becomes inflamed. Their skin “barrier” does not work well, so that their skin may become dry and prone to infection. Atopic eczema is not contagious.

A word on flare-ups

Many external factors can aggravate eczema. These include heat, dust, and contact with irritants such as soaps and detergents. Being unwell, for example, having a cold, can make eczema flare-up, and infections with bacteria or viruses can make eczema worse. Bacterial infections make the skin yellow, crusty, and inflamed and may need treatment with antibiotics. Dryness of skin and even, sometimes, stress can cause eczema to flare up.

Signs and symptoms

The main symptom is itching. Scratching in response to this may be responsible for many of the changes seen on the skin. Itching can sometimes interfere with sleep if it’s very bad.

Can atopic eczema be cured?

The bad news is that atopic eczema cannot be cured but there are many ways of controlling it. Most children with atopic eczema improve as they get older (75% clear by their teens). However, many of those who have had eczema continue to have dry skin and need to avoid irritants such as soaps or bubble baths. Eczema may persist in adults but it should be controllable with the right treatment.

How can atopic eczema be treated?

You will need to visit a dermatologist who will advise on the best treatment and the duration thereof. The treatments used most often are moisturisers and topical steroid creams or ointments.

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I'm an experienced writer, sub-editor, and media & public relations specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry – across digital, print, TV, and radio. I earned a diploma in Journalism and Print Media from leading institution, Damelin College, with distinctions (Journalism And Print Media, Media Studies, Technical English And Communications, South African Studies, African & International Studies, Technology in Journalism, Journalism II & Practical Journalism). I also hold a qualification in Investigative Journalism from Print Media SA, First Aid Training from St John’s Ambulance, as well as certificates in Learning to Write Marketing Copy, Planning a Career in User Experience, and Writing a Compelling Blog Post.

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