How to Keep Baby's Neck Dry to Help Eczema

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If your baby's eczema causes him to scratch and rub, then in fact, he may grow up, and his condition is only mild comfort. Eczema is characterized by dry, red, scaly patches on the skin that cause tears and scabs. This is a chronic, recurrent disease that usually occurs in the folds of the baby's neck, where irritants tend to deposit. Eczema can't be cured, but good daily skin care can help you manage your baby's condition. The key is to keep the baby's neck clean, dry and moisturized.

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span= "article-image_u caption-inner"> infant's neck folds often accumulate moisture. (picture: moodboard/moodboard/getty images)

infant eczema usually occurs within the first five years after birth, usually within the first six months after birth. According to Anthony Mancini, a pediatric dermatologist in Chicago, this is quite common in infants, with one in five or six babies affected. Although some cases of infant eczema are associated with food allergies, environmental factors, such as pollution, are often the culprits. Your baby may experience a period of relative calm, when her eczema is almost invisible, followed by severe hair loss. Although your baby is likely to grow up without eczema, some people will continue to suffer as adults. In infants, eczema usually occurs on the cheek, forehead, scalp and neck.

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Eczema tends to worsen in affected skin when exposed to irritants such as irritating soap, infant formula, saliva and sweat. When your baby is breastfeeding, drinking from a bottle or cup, spitting or eating with a spoon, some of her food may flow down her chin and fall into the wrinkles of her neck, especially if she is too small to lift her head independently. You need to be alert to dry your child's neck during meals and after meals, after bathing, when the child sweats, and at any other time when her neck looks wet. Keep your neck dry

< p > Wear your baby's bib or put a small towel under her chin to help your baby absorb milk and saliva during meals. When water does accumulate in the folds of her neck, it should be wiped immediately and patted rather than rubbed. Friction can further aggravate her condition, leading to eczema bleeding. Apply a Vaseline or non-additive moisturizing cream to her clean, dry neck skin to form a barrier to prevent saliva, saliva and sweat from penetrating into the skin. Allowing your baby to stretch his neck and play on his stomach helps prevent vomiting and saliva buildup.

Taking care of your baby may require a number of trials of various treatments. Your doctor will recommend skin care products, as well as steroids and antihistamines. Keep in mind that other skin conditions in infants require different treatments. If you are not sure what you see again is eczema, or if your baby's skin condition deteriorates, consult her doctor to determine the best treatment.

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