It’s hereditary and many things can aggravate it

There are a lot of unanswered questions about baby eczema causes that stand in the way of finding a proper treatment. The skin condition, also know as atopic dermatitis, can manifest itself as early as 2 months after the baby is born and affect about 20% of young children. Slightly more common in girls than boys, the child usually gets over the problem by the age of three.

Eczema causes are attributed to genetic influences aggravated by the environment. A defect of the skin that prevents it from acting properly as a barrier, as well as a flaw in the body’s immune system are also being identified as possible eczema causes. Studies indicate that persons suffering from baby eczema belong to families with a history of allergies and are prone to developing asthma later in life.

Baby eczema may come and go pointing to environmental factors as eczema causes that can trigger flare ups. Among the more common eczema causes of this type are soaps and detergents, fabrics, fragrances and dyes that a person comes in contact with. Acidic foods like dairy products and tomatoes and even tobacco smoke may contribute to the condition. Excessive heat, perspiration or a dry winter air are also possible eczema causes. In other words, once you have baby eczema, almost anything around you can trigger a flare up.

Because eczema causes are not definitely pinpointed, treatments of the condition vary. There is no known cure and medications are meant to address the symptoms. Cortisone treatments in the form of creams or ointments are commonly used with good results. In more serious cases, oral or parenteral cortisone medication is prescribed at a greater risk of side effects like atrophy of the skin.

Based on an immune system deficiency as one of the eczema causes, immunomodulators are a treatment option gaining popularity among dermatologists. Concerns about possible skin cancer resulting from the treatment have been overcome by the significantly dramatic results alleviating the suffering of young children afflicted by baby eczema. Immunosuppressants are another form of medication directed at addressing the immune system deficiency in the case of severe eczema.

On a different level, treatments for eczema include antihistamines to relieve itching, moisturizers to prevent excessive drying of the skin, light therapy with UVA and UVB lamps. Lifestyle changes are also suggested, in the light of findings that food allergies may contribute to eczema outbreaks. As long as baby eczema causes remain a question mark, the search for treatments of the condition will have to go on.