Eczema in my Kids

Both of my kids had suffered some rashes appeared on their faces, cheeks, scalps, tummy area, some on the folds of their elbows and knees and sometimes on their hands, arms and legs.

Their skin looks red, dry and scaly to me, even became thick.
Because the rashes don't go away, we decided to have them check by our family doctor.
The result both of them had Eczema.

Because my husband an i grow up on other side of the world that don't familiar with that Eczema thing.
So i did my research. For me to better help my kids!

What is Eczema?

The term Eczema refers to a number of different skin conditions in which the skin is red and irritated. The most common cause of Eczema is "Atopic Dermatitis", which affects older kids as well as infants.

Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become very dry, itchy and inflamed.

The word Atopic described conditions that happen when someone is overly sensitive to allergens in the environment. Potential allergens can appear almost anywhere, these includes pollens, molds, dust and certain foods. Dermatitis means that the skin is inflamed or red and sore.

And Atopic Dermatitis is considered chronic - meaning persisting for a long time or constantly recurring. It is an inflammatory condition that is a result of an overactive immune system response to triggers inside to outside of the body.

Kids who get eczema often have family members with hay fever, asthma or other allergies.

Often it appears to kids life from as early of 3 months to 5 years but in my children's case, both of them continues to have eczema up to now. My son is 6 years old and my daughter is 3 years old.
But thank God, it is more treatable now.

Good thing Eczema is not contagious, meaning you can't catch it from someone else, unless you have the same blood and it runs in the family.

Our family doctor, referred us to an Allergist - Allergy Specialist.

The Doctor asked us some questions regarding the symptoms and also asked if there is a family history of allergy.

We don't have a family history of Eczema but my dad had an asthma. And later i found out that i am
allergic to dust.

The Allergist ordered some allergy test to my kids.

1. Skin Prick Test - this is also known as puncture testing or prick testing. The skin is pricked of a small amount of a possible allergen, if the skin react and become itchy, red and swollen, it may mean allergy is present.
2. Blood Test - this measures the level of lgE antibodies released by the immune system. This test is sometimes called the Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST)

The Result of the two test that they undergone: 

• My son has a food allergens to egg (especially the egg white), fish, milk, nuts, shellfish, and other allergens like animal fur and some plant pollens from grass. And my daughter has a food allergens on fish.

That all Triggered their Eczema.

What other things Triggered my children's Eczema ?

In my experience, there are also some things triggered in my children's Eczema like:

• Weather - if it is too cold - air is dry or too hot - makes them sweat. If it is too cold or too hot, both of them worsen the Eczema.
• Dry skin - so i make sure to always moisturize their skin
• Allergens in the environment such as pollens from grass, dirt or dust, so after they go outside and play, they take a bath.

The Bad news there is no cure for Eczema, it will just come and go - and it all repeats!
It can be lifelong and there is no easy fix!

In my son's case he already develop a mild asthma.

But there are some Treatments for managing the flares. Some of the medication that my childrens's are using:

• Over-the-counter remedies like Hydrocortisone Cream - this medication is used to treat a variety of skin condition that includes Eczema, it reduces the swelling, itching, and redness that occur in these types of condition. This  medication is a mild Corticosteroid and it is safe to use in face.

• An over-the-counter Benadryl for Children it is a antihistamine used to treat allergic reaction  such as Eczema. As a mom of a children with so many allergies, it is a must to carry this all the time and it really helps them, it worked almost immediately. As much as possible i give this to them just before bed time as it makes them drowsy. I usually bought this at Walmart

• And some Prescription Medication like Betaderm Oinment, Mometasone Furoate, i used it mainly in their body and Taro-Mometasone Lotion for my son's scalp.

• And i am using a Hydrous Emulsifying Ointment (perfume free) / Glaxal Base and Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to moisturized their skin.

Those are some of the medication their using to curb some of the symptoms.

It is really helpful to learn a bit about Eczema because it help me understand what my children are experiencing and it also help me care and help them more. 

When you can't help it anymore, don't be afraid to go to your doctor because they can help you really understand when to use and what medication is best to use in treating the Eczema, it also the best way to help your child feel comfortable.

I am still hoping that one day my children will totally outgrow and be free with Eczema.