Posted by Fiona Saiter on Apr.14, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - joanek

Two common skin problems in infants and young children are diaper rash and Eczema. Diaper Rash can be miserable for you and your child. It has many causes and is common in infants and often looks red and bumpy. It is best to begin using an earth friendly diaper cream when you first notice any redness or bumps.

According to the cosmeticsdatabase.com, which is part of the Environmental Working Group, the following ingredients should be avoided when purchasing diaper creams: BHA, fragrance, boric acid, and sodium borate. In Raising Baby Green, Dr. Alan Greene, MD, suggests also avoiding parabans. The Cosmetics Database is a searchable data base that lists the safest products to use in many different categories, including diaper rash creams. You can print their guide or read the list of the safest products online.

Another way to help with sore diaper rash is to let your child go with out a diaper for a time to get air on the irritated areas. Change diapers frequently and use wipes formulated for sensitive skin. You could also experiment with different diapers. Organic diapers are made without chlorine, dyes, fragrances, and other invasive ingredients. You can sometimes find cheaper organic diapers by choosing the store band names.

Eczema, or Atopic Dermatitis, is characterized by dry, red, or pink skin that is itchy and feels rough and patchy to the touch. When children scratch the rash, it only gets worse.  According to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Children “there is a definite link between families with dermatitis and allergies.” In fact, many of those families suffer from seasonal runny nose, hay fever, or asthma. It can be a long road trying to find something that works for your child’s Eczema but here are a few tips that should help.

Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize. This might be one of the most important things that you can do. Immediately after the bath, slather on a thick, fragrance free moisturizer like Eucerin cream, Aquaphor, petroleum jelly, Gentle Naturals Eczema Cream, or our Dermatologist recommended Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream that has been formulated for such skin problems. Vitamin E is also been said to help heal skin problems like eczema. Moisturizers are best absorbed right after a bath.

Go Fragrance Free. Find a fragrance free laundry detergent, bath wash, shampoo, and make sure that even cleaners are mild, because eczema can have environmental causes that need to be explored and using earth friendly mild cleaners may help.

Cotton Clothing. Wearing breathable natural cotton clothing helps with sensitive skin.

Don’t over dress. Getting too hot can cause the skin to sweat which only irritates Eczema.

Limit baths and temperature. During flare ups don’t bathe too often and make sure that the temperature is warm and wash gently, so you don’t itch any irritated areas.

Use a mild soap. We have found that Gentle naturals Eczema Wash works well. Some of the products that received the best scores on Cosmeticsdatabase.com are: All Natural Creations Free and Clean Honey Herbal Baby Shampoo and Body Wash, and Baby Organic 2 in 1 Coconut Foam Shampoo and Body Wash. Our pediatrician recommended using inexpensive Dove bar for sensitive skin. Just make sure what you are using is fragrance free and for sensitive skin. We have even used California Baby Sensitive Skin Bath Bubbles which include a bath wand for fun. You can also check the Cosmetic Data Base website for the safest washes or moisturizers.

Cut fingernails. Make sure you keep nails short so children have less chance to scratch the skin.

Use a Humidifier in the winter. Dry winter air exacerbates dry skin.

Reduce stress levels. Stress has been known to trigger eczema. Helping children to learn to deal with stress in a healthy way can help them avoid an out break.

Check Environmental factors like diet. According to Raising Baby Green, often eczema in babies is caused by soy, cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, fish, and peanuts. Try cutting those foods out of the child’s diet. If the baby is breastfeeding, try eliminating the potential culprits from your diet, and change to a hypoallergenic formula if the baby is receiving formula.

Control indoor allergens. Some doctors believe that environmental factors like allergies can be a cause of Eczema. Consider mattress and pillow covers to reduce dust mite exposure.

If your child is having a bad outbreak of eczema, you may need to use a steroid cream like hydrocortisone for a short period of time, but always check with your doctor before using it. Some doctors even suggest using an antihistamine to help the itching at bed time. These harsh methods can be avoided by applying a thick moisturizer several times daily, trying to figure out what causes the Eczema, and using the suggestions above.

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Posted under Family, GDM Baby.