Ongoing dry, scaly, or rough skin could indicate your child has eczema, a common skin condition that can cause unpleasant symptoms when left untreated. At Neighborhood Pediatrics in Shenandoah, Texas, board-certified pediatricians can diagnose and treat eczema to restore your child’s skin and make it healthier. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition causing itchiness, redness, and often irritation.
It’s common among children but can develop at any age. Seeking treatment for children with eczema is the best way to make their skin healthier and reduce unpleasant symptoms associated with the condition.
Common signs and symptoms linked with eczema include:
Eczema often begins before age five and can persist into the teenage years or adulthood. Complications with untreated eczema include skin infections, sleeping difficulty, and reduced quality of life.
While anyone can develop eczema, certain factors boost the risk of experiencing it. Examples include genetics, personal or family history of eczema, allergies, asthma, and hay fever. The cause of eczema isn’t entirely clear, however.
Ways to reduce the risk of developing eczema include keeping your child’s skin moisturized and avoiding irritants like certain soaps, foods, perfumes, and detergents. In addition, limit showers and baths to 10-15 minutes to reduce skin dryness and use warm water rather than hot water.
Your Neighborhood Pediatrics provider discusses your child’s medical history and symptoms to diagnose eczema and develop a treatment plan. Then, they examine the skin in areas containing signs of eczema or other skin problems.
The team might also use patch testing or other diagnostic tests to rule out or detect skin diseases and eczema triggers.
If your child has eczema, their pediatrician could recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Lifestyle changes that may reduce eczema flare-ups include:
Taking oral medications or using prescription creams can reduce eczema symptoms and improve the health and appearance of your child’s skin.
Using wet dressings means wrapping the affected area with topical medicines and wet bandages.
If your child has uncomfortable or embarrassing eczema and wants relief, call the Neighborhood Pediatrics office or schedule an appointment online today.
