Natural Remedies for Eczema in Babies: Soothing Care

Natural Remedies for Eczema in Babies: Soothing Care

Eczema is a skin condition that many infants face, impacting nearly 20% of kids¹.

If your baby is suffering, you’re not alone.

But the good news is there are natural ways to ease their discomfort and soothe their skin.

This guide covers everything from coconut oil and aloe vera to special baths and watching what they eat.

You’ll feel more in control of caring for your baby’s eczema with these tips.

Natural Remedies for Eczema in Babies

Key Takeaways

• Coconut oil and aloe vera gel are natural moisturizers that can help soothe and calm eczema symptoms in babies.
• Colloidal oatmeal baths and wet wrap therapy can provide additional moisture and relief during severe eczema flare-ups.
• Avoiding irritants like harsh soaps, itchy fabrics, and temperature extremes can help prevent eczema outbreaks in babies.
• Topical vitamin B12 and humidifiers can be effective home remedies for managing eczema in infants.
• Dietary changes, such as eliminating potential food triggers, may also help improve eczema symptoms in some babies.

Understanding Baby Eczema

Causes and Triggers

Eczema, known medically as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that many babies and kids have.

Its cause isn’t fully clear but likely involves genes, the environment, and the immune system².

Dry skin is a big trigger for baby eczema. It can cause the skin to crack and get irritated, which makes it prone to inflammation and infection.

Other triggers might include irritants, heat, certain foods, problems with gut health, and stress².

Parents’ eczema history means their babies might get it too².

Also, things like allergens, pollutants, and some climates could make eczema worse for infants².

The immune system is also a big player in eczema. For people with eczema, their immune system might overreact, leading to skin irritation.

Things like gut health and stress can also affect eczema’s development and intensity in babies².

Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American groups have the highest eczema rates, with about 13% affected.

White and Black or African American communities follow closely, at 11% and 10%³.

Remember, eczema’s not straightforward, and its causes and triggers vary person to person. But knowing these factors can help parents and doctors manage a child’s eczema better².

“Eczema can be tough, but the right care can make a big difference. Knowing the triggers and teaming up with doctors helps babies and kids with eczema live well.”

Most kids with eczema outgrow it by ages 3 to 5⁴.

Gentle, Natural Moisturizers

Keeping a baby’s skin well-moisturized is key for eczema.

Luckily, some gentle, natural choices can soothe and help. Sunflower seed oil and coconut oil stand out as great options.

Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil is packed with essential fatty acids.

It also fights inflammation well. These qualities help strengthen the skin’s barrier and cut down eczema redness⁵.

Research shows that it’s a top choice for moisturizing skin prone to eczema.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural gem for easing baby eczema. It has special fatty acids that fight off bacteria⁵.

A study found that coconut oil made a huge 95% reduction in staph bacteria on people with eczema⁵.

You can softly rub sunflower seed oil and coconut oil on a baby’s skin⁵.

This offers a protective layer, fights dryness, and reduces redness.

They are great for making eczema skin in babies feel better.

“Moisturizer should be applied right after bath time to prevent drying out of the skin.”⁵

Using these natural moisturizers can greatly help manage a baby’s eczema⁵⁶⁷.

They soothe and relieve the skin, making a big difference.

Soothing Bath Remedies

Handling eczema in babies needs care. Soothing baths can really help.

Colloidal oatmeal baths are great because they lower inflammation.

This happens thanks to the special part of oatmeal called avenanthramides⁸.

Diluted apple cider vinegar baths can also be useful.

They help keep the skin’s pH balance right and fight off germs⁹.

Some experts say mild bleach baths are good too.

They can kill off bad bacteria that make eczema worse.

But remember, this should only be done with a doctor’s advice⁸.

Always use warm, not hot water. And, don’t take long baths since they can dry out the skin even more⁹.

For extra skin-soothing baths, parents can add natural things like shea butter, calendula, aloe vera, or vitamin B12 to the water⁸.

While not all of these have proof in helping eczema, they will still make your baby feel better in the tub⁸.

Always talk to a dermatologist before using new natural treatments.

With the right advice, bath time can be calming for both baby and parent.

⁸⁹¹⁰

Natural Remedies for Eczema in Babies

Eczema is very common in children and babies, with 20 percent affected under 10¹¹.

It can be soothed with gentle moisturizers and baths. But, other natural remedies might also help with baby eczema.

Aloe vera gel soothes the skin with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities¹¹.

Honey is also good for eczema, thanks to its antimicrobial properties¹¹.

Products like tea tree oil and calendula cream can lessen redness and aid healing.

Coconut oil is another great natural option. An 8-week study saw 117 children improve with virgin coconut oil use¹¹.

It’s safe, good for dry skin, and fights germs. Also, it’s safe for premature babies, strengthening their skin¹¹.

Some natural solutions aren’t fully proven yet. It’s wise to use them with your doctor’s advice for safe baby eczema management.

Don’t use harsh cleaning products or dress babies in harsh clothes¹¹.

Avoid using olive oil and vegetable oils on baby eczema, as they can make it worse¹¹.

Natural Remedies for Eczema in Babies

Think about what your baby eats and its surroundings.

Eliminating certain foods and keeping a clean environment can prevent eczema from flaring up¹².

Supporting a healthy gut and ensuring enough vitamin D could make a difference too¹².

It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider for a complete care plan for your baby’s eczema. Combining safe natural methods with standard treatments can make your baby more comfortable¹¹¹²¹³.

Dietary Considerations

When dealing with eczema in babies, we often look at their diet. Some foods might make eczema worse or trigger it¹⁴.

Many babies, about 60%, get eczema in their first year, which is quite common¹⁴.

Studies show that certain foods could make eczema worse in 20-30% of severe cases, especially if the child is under 5¹⁴.

Eliminating Potential Triggers

Some babies might have worse eczema if they’re allergic to foods like milk, eggs, soy, or peanuts¹⁴. For young kids, dairy is the top food allergy, seen in 39% of those who react straight away from cow’s milk¹⁴. Fish and shellfish allergies can also make eczema worse¹⁴. Even though not as common, soy allergies can cause eczema¹⁴. About 1.3% of children under 5 are allergic to eggs. These kids are six times more likely to have an egg allergy by the time they’re 12 months old¹⁴.

Tree nut allergies affect up to 1.2% of kids. These children may have worse eczema and more severe allergic reactions¹⁴.

Wheat allergies can worsen eczema and cause issues like hives, asthma, and stomach problems in some people¹⁴. Peanut allergies are quite common in babies and young kids.

They often cause skin issues, including eczema, in those with moderate to severe cases¹⁴.

Approach a pediatrician to help cut out possible trigger foods and ease eczema¹⁵.

For babies who breastfeed, what their mother eats might affect them.

So, moms might need to change their diet¹⁵. Taking probiotic supplements can be good too.

They can keep the gut healthy, which helps the immune system and might lower inflammation linked to eczema¹⁵.

“Changing diet might only help a few kids with eczema. It can be most beneficial for very young children with severe cases.”¹⁶

While changing your diet can help, it won’t work for every child with eczema¹⁶.

It’s best to work with a doctor to spot and remove any food triggers. This ensures the child eats well, especially babies and young kids¹⁶.

Lifestyle Factors

Besides using special creams and changing what your baby eats, how you live also affects their eczema¹⁷.

Experts say eczema in babies and kids comes from both genes and outside factors¹⁷.

Things like strong soaps, tough cleaners, and extreme temperatures can make eczema worse¹⁸ .

For babies, things that can trigger eczema include things they’re allergic to, stuff that irritates their skin, hot or cold weather, and feeling stressed¹⁷.

It’s key to keep stress low. This can help stop eczema from getting worse.

¹⁷ When babies get older, they can wear mittens or gloves to protect their skin¹⁹.

Food allergies might make eczema worse¹⁹. Up to 30% of babies who have bad eczema are also allergic to food. Cow’s milk is usually the main problem¹⁹.

To see if food allergies are making eczema worse, a doctor might suggest not eating certain foods for 2 weeks.

Then, you eat the foods again to see what happens.

¹⁷ Pick clothes that are soft and let the skin breathe.

This can help heal the sensitive skin that’s prone to eczema¹⁸. Use fabrics like cotton and cleaners that don’t have strong smells.

This lowers the chance of the skin getting irritated¹⁸.

Coconut oil and shea butter are good too. They stop the skin from drying out, and they protect it.

Changing where your baby spends time and what they do each day can also help¹⁷.

Eczema looks and acts differently in babies and in older kids. It might change as they grow, too¹⁹.

Normally, eczema is something kids get and most grow out of by their teen years.

¹⁹ One of the big signs of eczema is that it makes you really itchy.

Doctors split eczema up into categories based on how much it bothers daily life¹⁹.

If the itching is bad and the skin is open, it can get infected. Then, you might need antibiotics.

¹⁸ Many babies get eczema on their cheeks, scalp, and joints. We’re not sure exactly what causes baby eczema.

But it probably has something to do with their genes and the world around them¹⁹.

Dry skin, things that irritate the skin, heat and sweat, infections, and things like pet dander, pollen, or dust can start eczema off.

¹⁹ Using creams or ointments on very dry skin every day is a good idea¹⁸.

Oatmeal baths are also great for calming the skin and adding moisture.

Aloe vera gel can help a lot, too. It calms down the red, itchy skin because it’s good for healing.

“Eczema is not contagious, and its management involves understanding symptoms and triggers to control flare-ups effectively.”¹⁷

¹⁸ Putting warm chamomile tea on irritated skin can be really soothing.

Probiotics are good for the skin too, by making the stomach better¹⁸.

People might need to change what they eat, like cutting out dairy, eggs, and nuts, to help with eczema caused by food.

So, making changes in how you live can really help with eczema, especially in babies. It works well with other ways to treat it.

Conclusion: Natural Remedies for Eczema in Babies: Soothing Care

There is no set cure for eczema, but natural remedies and necessary medical aid can help babies a lot²⁰²¹.

Parents can use gentle lotions, baths, and diet changes to help their baby’s skin²¹.

Understanding the causes can lead to better skin for babies²⁰²¹.

Research shows that using coconut oil, oatmeal baths, and aloe vera can lessen eczema symptoms²⁰²¹²².

Studies also found that special fabrics and clothing can help²².

Treating eczema as a whole can help parents stop flare-ups²¹.

Eczema is a chronic issue, but a mix of medical advice and natural care can make a real difference²⁰²¹.

With time, dedication, and the right approach, parents can manage their baby’s eczema effectively²¹.

Related read: How to Treat Baby Acid Reflux Naturally: Top Remedies for Instant Relief