The signs of eczema are dry skin, itchy skin, and sometimes it may seem a bit red. Babies usually get it before the age of two, and it more often than not goes before they are teenagers.
Are children born with the skin condition?
It can be an inherited skin condition; however, as babies are protected in the womb, it is usually a post-birth condition that is environmentally caused.
How much does diet affect eczema?
Food may be one of the provoking factors or causes, 30% of cases, and in 10% of cases, food is the main trigger. It is rarely diet that causes it, as environmental factors play a part too.
What foods could you look to change?
Common food trigger are cows’ milk, soya, eggs, wheat, fish, nut, potatoes, aubergines, cucumbers and peppers. However, do not completely cut these foods out unless absolutely necessary as a balanced diet is needed in children.
What products could you look to change if your child suffers from eczema?
Products such as detergents, cleaning agents and fabric softeners can all be found to irritate. To avoid this, you should buy unperfumed products or products, especially for sensitive skin.
What natural remedies can help?
Foods such as oily fish are recommended as they are anti-inflammatory, and therefore help dry and irritable skin. Not many children have enough Omega 3, and it is not stressed to parents how important it is.
Do children often grow out of eczema? What sort of age?
Research has shown that 65% of children will grow out of this even though it is not guaranteed. 1 in 5 children gets suffer from compared to 1 in 12 adults.
Are there varying levels of eczema sufferers?
There are several different types of eczema, such as atopic, contact, discoid, gravitational, asteatotic, seborrheic and pompholyx. Every individual suffers from it in a different way, but there are levels of severity.
Are you likely to pass on eczema to your children if you suffer?
The majority of cases are a mix between inherited and environmental factors. However, if a parent has eczema, their children are more likely to get it too. Research shows that 60% of children have it if one of their parents have atopic eczema and 80% if both have it.
What is your advice for a parent who has a child that really suffers?
There are small changes you can make such as: having a healthy diet, eating omega 3, and using special skincare products. However, if it is serious, you should seek medical advice.
