Does your child have eczema?

Recently, I found myself corresponding through e-mail with a mother whose child has skin asthma, also commonly known as eczema. Growing up, I never encountered such a condition until I had my children who all have eczema. Since then, I have read and asked about it and gained quite a lot of knowledge on the topic and hopefully, with this article, parents will be well-informed on what it really is, how to combat and live with it.

What is Atopic Dermatitis?

Eczema is also known as Atopic Dermatitis (AD), a disease that causes itchy, inflamed skin. It typically affects the insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, and the face, but can cover most of the body.

AD, which almost always begins in childhood particularly during infancy, may be detected through the following symptoms: itchy, scaly skin, cracks behind the ears, rashes on the cheeks, arms and legs. When the child scratches the infected part, often he will experience "flare-ups" or crusted red sores. This becomes a secondary infection.

If you suspect that your child has eczema or atopic dermatitis, run your nails gently on the scaly skin and if it turns white, chances are you are right.

Unlike other skin diseases, AD is not contagious. Some people mistake it for an-an and those who are not well-informed would immediately suggest a remedy of Ap-Ap solution, etc. AD is inherited from one’s parents. In our case, I found out that Anthony’s constant sneezing in the morning and during changes of weather is due to his rhinitis. Several members of his family have asthma and eczema as well. If both parents are atopic, there is a greater chance for the child to be atopic as well. Usually, children do outgrow eczema but are at risk of developing hay fever or asthma. I’m glad though that I don’t have to deal with nebulizers and wheezing. Skin asthma for me is more manageable.

What triggers eczema?

1. Food allergies. Researchers have found that about 25 % of children with eczema get them from allergies to food such as egg white, dairy and milk products, and citrus fruits. This also includes the milk that an infant drinks from the mother’s breast. Some of the foods that she may be eating may trigger an allergy in her baby. I realized this when my son Donny had major rashes on his face after I ate tuyo for breakfast before breastfeeding him. The same thing happened when my daughter Ella drank cow’s milk for the first time when she turned 1. After attributing the breakout to cow’s milk, I allowed her to drink it some more to get immuned to it. I have not seen her get an allergy after a milk intake lately so she must be immune to it already. You should ask the help of your pediatrician in trying to detect and get your child immune to a certain food allergy.

2. The environment. A child can have flare-ups when she’s exposed to dust mites and animal dander. For years, I have not allowed our rooms to be swept with a broom as that only spreads the dust around. Instead, I have acquired a Rainbow Cleaner that collects the dust in water and I have seen significant results. Anthony has had little sneezing in the morning. Regular cleaning of the air conditioner is also crucial and must be part of the cleaning activity in your home. Also watch out for environmental conditions such as wide swings of temperature, humidity or extremely dry air. During summer, it is best to bathe your children with cold water.

3. Clothing. Certain materials in the child’s clothing trigger eczema such as wool, lace, synthetic fabrics, silk, the tag of the clothing ( cut off labels ) and tight-fitting clothes. Use cotton sheets and blankets. Also make sure that if you use bleach in your fabrics, you rinse them twice.

4. Other irritants. Solvents, industrial chemicals, fumes, tobacco smoke, paints, bleach, astringents and other alcohol-containing skin care products, and some soaps and fragrances can cause burning, itching or redness.

5. Emotional stress. Anger, frustration and embarrassment could cause flushing and itching. Coping with stressful events and controlling scratching behavior are two key concepts that people with eczema can learn to avoid stress-triggered flare-ups.

What can be done to manage eczema?

1. Early detection, early cure. As soon as I detect a flare-up with my children, I bathe them right away or if we’re out of the house, I get my hand towel, clean up the infected area, then moisturize quickly.

2. Cortisone cream. Once there’s an outbreak, I apply a cream prescribed by my doctor that contains cortisone. These cortisone creams though are not safe for long-term use so management by natural methods is best.

3. Antihistamine medication – may help relieve itching (especially in the middle of the night) to prevent secondary infections.

4. Use soaps and detergents that are free of fragrance, lanolin, dyes and perfume. I personally use Aveeno colloidal soap for my kids. Other great products include Dove soap (blue), Oilatum and Cetaphil.

5. Have a soothing bath with an oatmeal solution. Tie a cup of oatmeal in cheesecloth and swish it through the lukewarm bathwater until water looks cloudy. You may also sprinkle just a couple of tablespoons of baking soda for soothing itchiness. I take advantage of bath time to tell stories and play with toys I’ve put in the bathroom so that my kids enjoy their time while soaking for several minutes in Aveeno Collodial Oatmeal Bath solution.

6. Moisturize , moisturize. Don’t use lotions that contain water and alcohol or fragrance as they end up drying the skin all the more. After bathing (with warm or cold but never hot water), pat dry the body; then within 3 minutes, apply the moisturizer while the skin is still moist to help prevent the skin from drying out.

7. Antibiotic may be given by mouth or ointments are helpful when there is secondary infection. It also helps clear up rashes. Best to maintain short fingernails to reduce injury and contamination of open wounds.

8. Learn stress management techniques. Like sleeping, meditation, exercise, getting into a hobby, learning to organize your time and priorities.

9. Keep your surroundings clean and be conscious of the places you bring your children to. If you cannot control your children’s surroundings, make sure you have your weapons ready to clean them up right after your visit. Keep your pets out of the house and don’t dream of having an aviary or living near one. Schedule paint jobs or fumigation when you’re out of town for a couple of days to make sure the chemical has lost its strong effect.

Treatments that don’t seem to work include vitamins, mineral supplements, enriched diets, or nutritional supplements.

I know for a fact that even if my children suffer from skin asthma, they’ve been able to lead normal lives because we’ve allowed flexibility in our controlled lifestyle and environment. They’ve had the chance to play in the mud and eat foods they love like chocolates and peanuts. At the same time, we try not to compromise on non-negotiables like leaving behind our moisturizers, creams and soaps or leaving them for long periods of time in places that we know may be harmful to their health. We’ve also been on call even in the wee hours of the morning for a back rub or scratching to ease the outbreaks. We try to educate them about their skin condition so that they will get used to being able to manage their condition better. There are times when my kids hear unkindly remarks about their skin condition and although it hurts us, we try to understand other people’s lack of knowledge about eczema. To appease our children, we make them aware of their hurt and and make them feel that our love remains the same.

I hope this article enlightens those parents whose children suffer from skin asthma and soften the hearts of those who don’t have it and develop a compassion for those who have it.

Sources: National Eczema Association for Science and Education Website and Guide to Your Child’s Allergies and Asthma (available at National Book Store)

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Would love to hear from you at: bizwrks@att global.net.