Eczema in children

A common skin condition that many children have is eczema. It results in skin patches that are dry, itchy, and irritated, which can be upsetting and uncomfortable for both parents and children. Even though eczema is not communicative, managing it can be difficult, particularly during flare-ups.

Although the precise cause of eczema is unknown, environmental factors, allergies, and heredity are frequently mentioned. Certain children may have more delicate skin, which responds to specific stimulants such as fabrics, soaps, or even stress.

Knowing how to take care of a child with eczema can help a lot. By taking the appropriate measures, you can alleviate their skin and stop further breakouts, giving your child a little more ease in life.

What is it?

An acute inflammatory allergic reaction that occurs in the skin layers when specific allergens enter them is called eczema. Adverse symptoms of the disease can develop in a child at any age. Usually, the most severe course is observed in infants. A special predisposition is necessary for the development of eczema in a baby. Scientists have proven that in children whose parents suffer from various allergic pathologies, the risk of developing eczema exceeds the average statistical incidence rates by more than 40%. If both mom and dad have allergies, the probability of this disease in the baby increases to 60%. This hereditary feature is due to the special functioning of the immune system in allergy sufferers.

Some experts use a different term for this disease. They believe that it is more correct to talk about the presence of "exudative dermatitis" in young children rather than eczema. In this condition, local sensitivity of the skin to various specific allergens is increased, the body"s resistance to many infections is reduced, and there is an increased tendency to form inflammatory exudate. Usually, doctors register cases of eczema in the youngest patients. At an older age, the incidence rate decreases somewhat. A variety of factors contribute to the development of the disease. These include: the presence of diabetes mellitus in the baby, immunodeficiency states, pathologies in the thyroid gland, existing chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic diseases.

Pediatric dermatologists and allergists handle the diagnosis and treatment of this illness.

Children with eczema frequently experience discomfort due to the skin condition’s dryness, itching, and red patches. Allergies, stress, or irritants can cause it to flare up, but symptoms can be controlled with the right care, such as moisturizing and avoiding triggers. The secret to managing eczema in children is knowing how to relieve their skin and when to consult a doctor.

Causes

• Heredity. All genes that encode a tendency to increased allergization have not been identified to date. However, it has been statistically proven that in families where close relatives have allergic diseases, eczema in children occurs twice as often.
• Pathological conditions of neurohumoral regulation. Usually, these conditions arise as a result of various pathologies and malfunctions of the nervous system. In some cases, symptoms of eczema occur in a baby after a strong psycho-emotional shock or stress. These include: frequent moves to a new place of residence, divorce of parents, death of a close relative (especially at an early age).

• Increased individual sensitivity of the skin. This condition is not a pathology. Usually, some babies have high susceptibility of the skin to the action of various substances already from birth. These children, as a rule, have light and delicate skin, which is prone to redness and any irritation.
• Immunodeficiency conditions. Can be congenital and acquired. Impaired functioning of the immune system contributes to the bright course of allergic reactions with the appearance of numerous symptoms that bring the baby severe discomfort. Quite often, immunodeficiency pathologies occur in premature babies and children with numerous chronic diseases.
• Secondary foci of chronic infection. The presence of an infectious process in the body is always a "time bomb". With a decrease in immunity as a result of exposure to unfavorable environmental factors, the growth of microbial flora is activated, which contributes to the appearance of clinical signs of eczema in the child.

• Increased susceptibility to any allergic reactions. In this case, an allergen that has entered the child"s body easily causes a cascade of inflammation in the child, in which exudative edema develops, and specific inflammatory elements appear on the skin.
• Improper hygiene care, especially in newborns. Using products containing dyes and chemical fragrances can cause specific rashes on the baby"s skin.
• Artificial feeding. Quick refusal of breastfeeding often leads to a decrease in passive immunity in the baby. Incorrectly selected adapted formula, which cannot compensate for the intake of all the nutrients necessary for the child"s growth and development, causes an increased tendency to allergic reactions in the child.

Types

Physicians identify multiple clinical manifestations of this illness. There are various factors that contribute to their appearance, which causes this difference. Every clinical type of eczema has unique characteristics and a preferred location. Additionally, there are some variations in how these pathologies are diagnosed and treated.

There are various clinical variations.

• Coin-shaped. Causes the appearance of elongated plaques on the child"s skin, which resemble a coin in shape and average size. Usually, skin rashes are localized on the back, buttocks, legs. On the outside, skin plaques are covered with several layers of keratinized scales, which easily peel off from the surface with any touch to them. More often, this form occurs at an older age.

• Viral. Various viruses provoke the appearance of unfavorable symptoms. Often, the culprits of the disease are pathogens familiar to many parents: influenza, chickenpox, rubella, herpes simplex and herpes zoster and others. Rashes can be located on various parts of the body: on the cheek, on the back, on the chin, on the elbows and other anatomical areas. To eliminate adverse symptoms, it is necessary to include antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs in the treatment regimen.
• Weeping. Characterized by the appearance of large bubbles containing serous fluid. These skin lesions are easily traumatized with exudate leakage, which is why they are called "weeping". Often unfavorable signs occur in one and a half year old babies. Predominant localization – on the arms, buttocks, lower limbs.

• Microbial. Caused by various microorganisms. The development of unfavorable clinical symptoms is preceded by a marked decrease in immunity. Manifested by the appearance of red inflammatory skin rashes on the skin. Complex treatment is required to eliminate the clinical signs of the disease.
• Herpetic. The development of this clinical form is caused by infection with various subtypes of the herpes virus. Characterized by the formation of bubbles on the skin filled with serous-bloody fluid. These formations can easily be injured and ulcerated. The disease can be quite severe and significantly worsens the child"s well-being.
• Bacterial. Also called microbial. The development of this clinical form, as you might guess, is caused by infection with various bacteria. The peak incidence occurs between the ages of two and six months after the birth of the baby. To eliminate adverse symptoms, sick babies are prescribed modern antibiotics with a broad-spectrum systemic action.

• Herpetiform or Kaposi"s eczema. Develops as a result of infection with the herpes virus type 8. Proceeds in babies, especially at an early age, quite severely. Characterized by the appearance of numerous skin rashes on the skin, which easily turn into erosions. With Kaposi"s eczema, peripheral lymph nodes increase and body temperature rises sharply.
• Seborrheic. The cause of this pathology has not yet been precisely established. This form is characterized by the appearance of flaky yellow plaques, which are usually located on the face, scalp, and less often on other anatomical areas. Often, the appearance of dandruff in babies can be a consequence of the presence of seborrheic eczema in the child.

Itching that is not too intense can accompany skin rashes.

Symptoms

Every baby experiences the same first stage of eczema, which is the appearance of different skin rashes. The symptoms can differ in intensity. This is primarily determined by the child’s initial health, the existence of coexisting chronic illnesses and immunodeficiency, and the age at which the illness manifests. When skin rashes appear on the body, parents are usually terrified. There’s no reason to freak out! It’s critical to see a physician as soon as the first negative clinical symptoms appear.

During the clinical examination, the physician will be able to ascertain whether the child is exhibiting symptoms of eczema or if there is another illness exhibiting comparable symptoms.

The range of different types of skin rashes is determined by the existence of numerous clinical variations of the disease. Thus, some forms manifest as the skin developing bright red spots. They have a reach of between ½ and several centimeters. Warm spots upon contact. A child’s skin can be felt clearly.

Regularly brushing damaged skin causes the secondary bacterial flora to more readily penetrate the skin’s outer layers. The prognosis of the disease’s progression is greatly worsened by this. Rashes on the skin may occur when pus starts to leak out. Antibiotic prescriptions are mandatory in order to get rid of this unpleasant symptom. They are administered intravenously or intramuscularly when the condition is severe.

A sick child has a terrible appearance for the duration of the acute phase of the illness. The infant seems weak and uninterested. The child may avoid interacting with other kids or even their parents, and he may play less with his favorite toys. A youngster whose skin is extremely itchy behaves badly. The youngster starts acting more erratic.

Kids who are sick a lot tend to sleep poorly. Sleep patterns are disturbed during the day and at night when eczema is present. Their irritated skin may frequently cause them to wake up in the middle of the night. Some kids have issues with their appetite. Infants may object to nursing.

Children’s eczema can sometimes have a chronic course. After that, it is typified by periods of unstable remission interspersed with periods of exacerbation. Unfavorable symptoms typically return in the winter or following significant psychoemotional stress. In rare instances, an age-appropriate vaccination caused a child with allergies to develop clinical eczema symptoms.

By the time a child turns three, the severity of the symptoms usually gradually subsides.

Eczema may also progress slowly. In this case, the skin merely shows a slight redness, which typically doesn’t even itch. Such skin characteristics totally vanish following the disease’s acute phase, and the skin once more takes on a healthy appearance. These types of rashes typically show up in babies following baths, during the teething process, during vigorous and demanding school activities, or following the addition of new, previously untested foods to food. The child experiences no significant discomfort from these clinical signs, which disappear on their own within a few days.

Clinically speaking, children are most likely to develop microbial and seborrheic types of eczema. Skin rashes can appear in large clusters and have a tendency to merge in children who have extremely sensitive skin to the effects of different allergens.

Given the propensity for the condition to worsen over time, the prognosis for the disease is typically conditionally favorable. Only very vulnerable children with eczema are susceptible to extremely negative outcomes.

There exist extremely uncommon varieties of eczema. These consist of post-traumatic and varicose. The varicose form is characterized by inflammatory skin changes that develop around the lower extremity veins. This clinical form is linked to both an individual child’s trophic disorders of the veins and an increased susceptibility to the effects of different bacterial flora. Numerous weeping ulcers that are poorly epithelialized appear on the skin in conjunction with varicose eczema.

Residual changes can linger on the skin for a considerable amount of time even after healing. The usual way they show up is with the skin getting thinner and more dry. Severe peeling develops in some areas and goes away in a few months.

Post-traumatic eczema develops following burns, wounds, and open skin damage.

Although eczema can be difficult for parents and kids to deal with, it is manageable with the correct care. By being aware of the triggers and following a regular skincare regimen, you can lessen flare-ups and keep your child more comfortable.

Finding the best course of action for your child’s treatment requires close collaboration with your physician. Since every person’s skin reacts differently, finding what works best will require patience.

You can help your child live a healthy, active life while effectively managing their eczema by keeping yourself informed and making small adjustments to everyday routines.

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