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Infants, children, and teens who have eczema that keeps coming back may be living with a chronic condition called atopic dermatitis. This is often the result of a highly overactive immune system. Understanding this can help how you approach managing this condition for your child.
How we view and discuss eczema affects how we manage it. To prepare for those conversations at every age, select a tab below.
Their charm comes
from within. And so
might
their eczema.
You worry about their lack of sleep, fussiness, and missed playdates.
As a person caring for an infant, toddler, or preschooler, it can be frustrating when you continue to do everything you can to help, but their eczema keeps coming back. You hope someday they’ll outgrow their eczema, but the fact is, some don’t.
Because your child can’t fully communicate yet, you do your best to monitor and assess their condition. The descriptions and observations you provide to their doctor are critical to your child receiving the proper care.
The topics of skin care, skin appearance, onset, frequency, itching, sleep quality, and treatment methods are important to keep in mind when talking to your child’s doctor. Select a topic below to learn more.
Skin Appearance
Skin Appearance
Be able to describe any rashes in terms of color and texture. It can be helpful to take pictures in between appointments to have a record to show the doctor.
Onset
Onset
Remember to bring up when your child first started to experience eczema symptoms.
Frequency
Frequency
Make sure to explain if your child has constant, frequent, or occasional flare-ups.
Sleep Quality
Sleep Quality
While nearly all infants are inconsistent when it comes to sleep, it is important to mention if you notice a connection between their symptoms and their inability to rest comfortably.
Itch
Itch
Tell the doctor if you notice your child constantly itching. The urge to itch is often caused in part by inflammation under the skin. Understand more about the causes of eczema.
Treatment Methods
Treatment Methods
Describe any prescription or non-prescription product, including topical creams, that you are using or have used in the past for your child’s condition.
A doctor discussion guide provides specific questions to consider about your infant, toddler or preschooler’s eczema, as well as an organized location to take notes.
This personalized resource can help you prepare for a productive discussion with your child’s doctor.
Prepare a list of symptoms you observe as being most bothersome to them.
Describe to the doctor the impact your child’s symptoms have on their daily activities.
When in doubt, ask your questions. Always speak up.
Get a next-step plan from your child's doctor.
Implement the plan you and your child's doctor created.
Monitor your child’s progress and check in with their doctor.
When you have a child 5 years or under with eczema, you are often at the beginning of their journey with this disease. So you may not know that those recurring flare-ups on the surface of your child’s skin could be the outward signs of inflammation beneath the skin caused in part by an overactive immune system.
Understanding that inflammation means you and your child’s doctor can better consider the current eczema treatments available, including:
There’s more to learn. Click below and get an even better understanding of eczema.
His character comes
from within. And so
might
his eczema.
Kids question so much in life. How many times have you been asked why the sky is blue, the grass is green, or why your child can’t do everything they want? When you throw eczema in the mix, the answers can be even more challenging.
So, even if you can’t answer all of the questions they are asking, here are some quick tips and ways to help them understand their condition:
Their eczema may never go away, but it can be managed if you understand what the causes are.
Unfortunately, you may have to live with eczema your whole life. But, doctors are understanding more about what causes it every day. This will help us understand your eczema better.
Let them know that you are always there to listen to them, and help answer any questions—even if you need someone else’s help.
I don’t know the answer to that question, but I bet your doctor does. We can ask him at your next appointment.
Explore ways to help them understand their condition in a way that makes sense.
The reason you are itching is because you are kind of stuck in what people call a cycle. It’s like being on a merry-go-round that doesn’t stop.
If your child is struggling with their social situation, help them find a simple way to explain what eczema is and isn’t to their friends and classmates.
It’s a condition called eczema. It is dry, itchy skin, but it's not contagious. You can't catch it from me.
The first step to managing your child’s eczema is being prepared to talk to their doctor.
These tips can help for a productive discussion with your child’s doctor.
Prepare a list of symptoms most bothersome to them (help younger children with the list).
Discuss the impact of symptoms on your child’s daily activities.
When in doubt, ask your questions.
Encourage your child to speak up. Don’t be shy.
Get a next-step plan from their doctor.
Implement the plan you, your child, and your doctor created.
Monitor your child’s progress by checking in with them regularly.
Do the text conversations feel familiar? It can be hard to find the right time or way to talk to your teen about their eczema.
The topics below are good conversation starters and can help your teen understand an underlying cause of their moderate-to-severe eczema.
The first step to managing your child’s eczema is being prepared to talk to their doctor.
These tips can help for a productive discussion with your child’s doctor.
Prepare a list of symptoms most bothersome to them (help younger children with the list).
Discuss the impact of symptoms on your child’s daily activities.
When in doubt, ask your questions.
Encourage your child to speak up. Don’t be shy.
Get a next-step plan from their doctor.
Implement the plan you, your child, and your doctor created.
Monitor your child’s progress by checking in with them regularly.
While scientists are working hard to develop a deeper understanding of what’s going on underneath the skin, you and your child can get helpful resources, activities, and the latest news and developments.
