What Is This Rash?

   I love this blog category because when raising children there is never a dull moment, and always something to share with readers and other parents.  So a rash appeared on my 3yr old about three weeks ago and at first I thought it was poison oak ( it is sporadically around the house.) The rash was at the top of his cute little butt crack and on the inside of his elbows which I caught him itching daily.  I applied topical benadryl and aquaphor and one day it would look like it was clearing up and the next day it would look flared up again. After the third week of battling with it I decided to call his pediatricians office. The nurse had me describe it and then got me an appointment that day at 1:30pm ( so stoked I got in on the same day as calling! )  Sitting in the exam room I was figuring we had a case of impetigo on our hands and we would get a prescription for topical or oral antibiotics. Well guess what folks, my precious baby has eczema! Dr. Coryell explained that there are different types of eczema in children, if the child is not itching not much needs to be done but if it is itchy it falls under Atopic Dermatitis and needs treatment.  

•Eczema is hereditary. ( My dad had it and my little sister had it so very bad!) so far Tristan’s looks mild! 🙂  

•Eczema looks dry and flaky in its mild form ( that is what my three yr olds looks like) but can be severe and look and be extremely irritated and red. 

•Eczema can appear at any time and can have triggers like rough fabrics i.e. wool,  emotional stress, heat and sweating. And of course itching will only irritate and make it worse. 

•Eczema for over two years of age dry, flaky, and rough skin can appear on different parts of the body but is mostly seen over skin folds i.e. elbows, knees, and creases in the body. 

•Eczema and lifestyle, A big problem with children who has eczema is itching.  Do your best to discourage itching, keep skin moisturized, keep nails trimmed, use loose breathable fabrics like cotton.  Wash bedding and clothes in mild detergents, with no bleach or fabric softener. 

     Tristan’s Doc informed us that eczema loves warm water so no longer can my water loving baby take 20min baths, and to use lotion based soaps like Dove. He instructed us to use over the counter 1% cortisone cream and something like Aquaphor over it, which traps in the cortisone and moisturizes. We are also getting a referral for Tristan to test for food allergies, just to play it on the safe side.  

     Quick Tip: Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD What Is Eczema?

Eczema is a condition where the skin gets irritated, red, dry, bumpy, and itchy. There are several types of eczema, but the most common is atopic dermatitis. To many people, “eczema” and “atopic dermatitis” mean the same thing.What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Eczema?The signs of eczema (EK-zeh-ma):

• are mainly dry, itchy skin. Because it is so itchy, it is often called “the itch that rashes.”
• include redness, scales, and bumps that can leak fluid and then crust over
• tend to come and go. When they get worse, it is called a flare-up.
• may be more noticeable at night

Symptoms can vary:

• Infants younger than 1 year old usually have the eczema rash on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. It may spread to the knees, elbows, and trunk (but not usually the diaper area).
  
• Older kids and teens usually get the rash in the bends of the elbows, behind the knees, on the neck, or on the inner wrists and ankles. Their skin is often scalier and drier than when the eczema first began. It also can be thicker, darker, or scarred from all the scratching (called lichenification).What Causes Eczema?Doctors don’t know exactly what causes eczema. It might be that there’s a difference in the way a person’s immune system reacts to things. Skin allergies may be involved in some forms of eczema.Who Gets Eczema?Many kids and teens with eczema have family members who have it. Experts think it passes from parents to children through genes. Eczema is fairly common.People with eczema also may have asthma and some types of allergies, such as hay fever. Eczema, asthma, and hay fever are known as “atopic” conditions. These affect people who are overly sensitive to allergens in the environment. For some, food allergies may bring these on or make them worse. For others, allergies to animal dander, dust, pollen or other things might be the triggers.Eczema is not contagious.How Is Eczema Diagnosed?There is no specific test used to diagnose eczema. The doctor will look at the rash and ask about symptoms,the child’s past health, and the family’s health. If family members have any atopic conditions, that’s an important clue.The doctor will rule out other conditions that can cause skin inflammation, and might recommend that your child see a dermatologist or an allergist.The doctor may ask you to ban some foods (such as eggs, milk, soy, or nuts) from your child’s diet, switch detergents or soaps, or make other changes for a time to see if your child is reacting to something.How Is Eczema Treated?There is no cure for eczema. But treatments can help with symptoms. The doctor will recommend different treatments based on how severe the symptoms are, the child’s age, and where the rash is. Some are “topical” and applied to the skin. Others are taken by mouth.

Thanks For Reading 

Heid Parker