Eczema, also commonly referred to as atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that millions of Americans deal with.  Included in those numbers could be your new baby.  If you are the parent of a baby who was recently diagnosed as having eczema, you are likely to have many questions.  Now is the time to get answers.

The Cause

There are many different causes for baby eczema.  Eczema can be hereditary, meaning if someone in your family has it, your child may too.  Although eczema is often compared to allergies, it is slightly different.  Certain allergens, including food and airborne allergens can bring on an eczema outbreak.  Another common cause is the chemicals found in laundry detergents and scented bath soaps.

The Treatment

In adults, there are many ways to treat eczema.  There are ways to manage and treat baby eczema too, but they can be more difficult to implement.  If you or a medical professional believes eczema flare-ups are caused by food, it can be difficult to change your baby’s diet if he or she is breastfed.  Actually, you are the one who needs to temporarily watch what you eat.

As stated above, there are many causes for atopic dermatitis in babies.  Two common causes are reactions to laundry detergents and soaps.  These products can irritate a baby’s skin, since the skin is so sensitive at a young age.  If you suspect these are causes, make changes.  Laundry detergents for babies, those with low chemicals, or all-natural products are best.  Scented bath products are great because they leave your baby smelling cute, but not if they irritate his or her skin.  Instead, opt for organic on non-scented products.

You now know some of the most common causes and ways to treat baby eczema, but now what?  There is good news.  Atopic dermatitis affects individuals of all ages, but it is common in the early years of life.  Luckily, most children outgrow it by their teens.

Are you the parent of a child was has eczema?  If so, get use to stares on the playground and whispering from other parents.  Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe eczema is a contagious skin condition, but it is not.  In fact, you may need to start a discussion with other parents to stop the worry.

It is your decision as to whether you want to wait until other parents ask you about your child’s rash or if you want to start the discussion yourself. Either way, continue reading on for a few helpful talking points.

A great way to discuss your child’s eczema with other parents is to share what you know.  Eczema is inflammation of the skin. Basically, your child’s skin is irritated.  Tell other parents that there are many reasons for eczema, including the weather, airborne allergens, and contact with certain chemicals.  Close contact with the skin results in itching, only your child can’t stop, so a rash develops.  As dangerous looking as that rash may look, it is harmless to others.  Eczema is not contagious.  In fact, your child is at the most risk.  If they have an open wound that is left uncovered, the risk of infection increases.

If you don’t want to go all medical on other parents, compare eczema to traditional allergies.  When most of us think of allergies, sneezing and stuffy noses come to mind.  These are a body’s reaction to something it doesn’t like.  With eczema, the skin does the same.  Your child’s skin comes into contact with something it doesn’t like, something that irritates the skin surface.  That is why your child feels the need to itch and scratch, resulting in a rash.

The biggest concern that other parents have about eczema is their children catching it.  Regardless of how you discuss eczema, ensure everyone knows it isn’t contagious.  In addition to comparing the skin condition to allergies, compare it to a small cut on the skin.  It is harmless to others.  There is no reason why your child can’t be a normal kid and play with others because they suffer from atopic dermatitis.

Taking to other parents about eczema will help in social situations, but it won’t cure your child’s eczema.  Do to that, always be on the lookout for trigger factors.  In the meantime, use all-natural relief methods, such as moisturizer and skin healthy foods, to help your child seek relief.


Finding a cure for your child’s eczema may seem like a winless battle, but there is good news.  Research has shown that all-natural treatment systems, such as Eczema Free Forever, are successful at stopping eczema outbreaks.