In infancy and childhood, atopic eczema is the most common, which is a non-infectious condition based on inherited predisposition.

Symptoms: dry, flaky, itchy, red lesions. Less commonly, oozing blisters may also develop. 

They most often appear on the face, but can extend to the elbow and knee folds, the wrist, the ankle, and the neck area. 

Symptoms typically recur from time to time. In most cases, eczema gradually improves with age.

 

What factors can trigger the flare-up of eczema symptoms?

- Temperature/humidity: Cold outdoor air and dry indoor air with low humidity

- Clothing: tight, synthetic clothing can irritate already sensitive skin

- Allergens: in foods (milk, dairy products, chocolate, small-seeded fruits, nuts), and airborne allergens (dust mites, molds, animal hair) 

- Detergents and fabric softeners

- Stress

- During febrile, catarrhal illnesses, symptoms intensify and flare up

 

 

How can the development of symptoms be prevented?

- Avoid situations and substances that may play a role in flare-ups. 

- Bathing should be done in lukewarm water (approx. 30°C) for a short time. Although most babies feel good in water and enjoy bathing, long baths are certainly not good for their skin.

- Clean your child's skin with a high-oil-content, gently cleansing bath product. Instead of soap - which can shift the skin's normal pH due to its alkaline nature - choose a bath product made from natural ingredients with an acidic pH. SHEDO Manó bath products are excellent for use as shower gels or added to water.

- After bathing, pat the wet skin with a soft, absorbent cloth, never rub the skin. 

- It is important not to let the skin dry out. Provide regular, intensive care. Use a body lotion rich in plant oils and butters with moisturizing and nourishing properties every day. Choose a product that also contains anti-inflammatory and regenerating active ingredients. Such a product, SHEDO Manó Face and Body Lotion, is also available in the kifli.hu range.

- It is recommended that children with eczema wear clothing made of soft cotton and that the clothes are not tight.

- Avoid detergents and fabric softeners containing synthetic materials. Many natural and allergen-free versions are already available, choose from these instead. 

- For infants with eczema, it is ideal to receive breast milk for a long time. When weaning, it is recommended to give a cow's milk-free formula, and in the first years of life, it is advisable to limit the consumption of dairy products and eggs, and it is better to minimize the consumption of other foods - chocolate, nuts, smoked products. The diet and restrictions should not be exaggerated.

 

 

What treatment options are available once symptoms have developed?

- Moisturizing creams and body lotions: As mentioned above, the use of moisturizing body lotions is of great importance for prevention. In milder cases, when the flare-up is still in its early stages, a well-chosen product can prevent the development of more severe symptoms. Aim to choose a high-quality, natural product! SHEDO Miraria Body Lotion is a perfect choice!

- Anti-itch agents: One of the characteristic symptoms of eczema is itching. Itching can disturb the baby's peace, preventing them from resting or sleeping, and excessive scratching can make them irritable. Itching leads to scratching, which can further exacerbate the complaints. As a result, secondary infections may develop. In more severe cases, antihistamine medications may be necessary to reduce itching in the treatment of eczema. Some of these can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies, but for ages 0-2, they should only be used under medical supervision.

- Topical steroids: Steroid-containing creams and ointments quickly relieve the redness and itching of inflamed skin. They bring rapid and noticeable improvement, but long-term use (exceeding a few weeks) is not recommended due to serious side effects. These include thinning of the skin, atrophy, the development of dilated blood vessels, and secondary infections of the skin. Since the baby's thin skin can easily absorb them, general symptoms may also occur. The prescribing of steroid-containing creams should always be carefully considered by the treating physician.

- Antibiotics: Rarely, bacterial secondary infections of skin symptoms may occur. In such cases, antibiotic treatment may be necessary under medical supervision.