Seborrheic Eczema In Babies >> Skin Disease
Flaky skin is a common, but usually harmless, problem in young and old children. In infants, the symptoms are often reduced to the head area, which is called head gneiss, which usually disappears by itself in the first year of life. Then you will learn more about seborrheic eczema in babies.
One also speaks of seborrheic dermatitis, which is caused by overproduction of sebum and can therefore occur anywhere on the body.
In babies, breast milk is mostly responsible, as it stimulates the sebum glands. The head gneiss is usually present in the first 10 weeks of life and then gradually disappears. However, it can also happen in other parts of the body.
Seborrheic eczema: can it cause complications?
It is usually a harmless problem that does not require treatment. Even so, you should take your baby to the dermatologist to make sure there are no other problems.
The diagnosis is very important because you can easily mistake the flaky skin for dermatitis, histiocytosis or psoriasis. All of these skin diseases can produce dandruff on the skin. Therefore, have your child examined by a specialist.
In general, there are no complications with seborrheic dermatitis. It is not a hygiene issue, nor is it contagious. In some cases itching occurs, but it doesn’t have to be. Redness and increased sebum secretions are also normal.
How can you treat eczema?
The pediatric dermatologist Daniela Kramer assures that no special treatment is necessary as the problem disappears on its own. Usually nothing more can be seen from the 10th week of life.
However, the expert also explains that the diagnosis is important in order to rule out other skin diseases.
Dr. Kramer also points out that if the flaky skin is still there after this time, it may be another problem.
For example, it can be atopic eczema, for which specialist treatment is important.
However, if it is indeed seborrheic dermatitis, there are simple methods that you can use to help your child. Use gentle baby shampoo to wash his head. Adequate hygiene can prevent the eczema from spreading to other parts of the body.
Further advice is:
- Treat the flaky skin gently with oil and cotton. It is best to use a gentle oil, such as almond or olive oil.
- Use gentle, skin-friendly shampoo without fragrances or preservatives.
- If you have inflammation, you should definitely consult a specialist who can prescribe a special shampoo or other treatment for you. In some cases, cortisone is prescribed. With ketoconazole, the problem will go away in a few days.
- Dress your baby in comfortable cotton clothing to prevent skin irritation.
- Only wash baby clothes with gentle soap or special detergents that do not contain strong chemicals or fragrances.
- Do not use perfumed hygiene products for your child, only extra gentle baby products.
