Itching in babies
Often seen babies with red itchy skin?? It might be the beginning of atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a common, long lasting skin disease with remitting and relapsing phases that affects a large percentage of world’s population. It most often occurs in infants and children. About 65 per cent patients develop the symptoms in the first year of life and almost all develop symptoms before the age of 5.
The disorder is frequently associated with other atopic disorders like asthma and hay fever. The cause is generally unknown but it seems to be the result of both genetic and environmental factors.
Various environmental factors that can aggravate atopic dermatitis are as follows:
- Wool/ synthetic fibres
- Soaps/detergents
- Dust and smoke
- Animal fur/dander
- Perfumes or cosmetics
- Symptoms and factors
- Itching with rough dry skin.
- Characteristic rash in typical locations( arm folds/behind the knees)
- Personal or family history of eczema/asthma/hay fever.
- Early onset of the disease.
Treatment
- Immediately consult your dermatologist if the baby has above mentioned features.
- Avoid any allergens/irritants like smoke/dust/animal dander etc.
- Give lukewarm baths.
- Liberal use of moisturising creams/ emollients.
- Use soft cotton fabrics for clothing.
- Avoid the itch-scratch cycle by the use of antihistamines or by distracting the child.
- Follow the medication as prescribed by your skin specialist.
So whenever we come across young children or toddlers with an itchy dry skin with phases of remission and relapses we must immediately consult our dermatologist for it might be the beginning of atopic dermatitis which is an allergic disorder of the skin and can well be kept in control with simple measures as mentioned above.
Proper care and protection can limit the number of exacerbations and prolong the duration of remission phase.
— Inputs from Dr Naiya Bansal, consultant dermatologist , Chandigarh
