Babies and children with eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) have dry, flaky, itchy skin. In children with light skin, eczema (EG-zeh-muh) areas look red or pink. In children with dark skin, they might look brown, purple, or gray. Changing your child's skin care routine and avoiding things that make eczema worse can help control it.

• Moisturize your child's skin at least twice a day using cream (such as Eucerin^®, Cetaphil^®, Nutraderm^®) or ointment (such as petroleum jelly, Vaseline^®, Aquaphor^®). Do not use lotion to moisturize your child's skin. Lotions have too much water and not enough oil to be helpful.
• Follow your health care provider's recommendations for using any prescribed creams or ointments or giving any medicines by mouth.
• For bathing, have your child:
  • Take a short (less than 10 minutes) bath every day in warm (not hot) water.
  • Use a mild, unscented soap or non-soap cleanser.
  • Pat the skin dry with a clean towel, then put a cream or ointment on right away.
• Help your child avoid triggers that can make eczema worse, such as:
  • harsh soaps and perfumes
  • scented skin care products, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets
  • fabrics like wool and polyester
  • very dry air
  • cigarette smoke
  • things you know your child is allergic to
• If your child's skin is itchy:
  • Put a cream or ointment on your child's skin, then place a damp cotton cloth on top. Keep the damp cloth on for at least 30 minutes. It can even be left on overnight. Reapply moisturizer after removing the cloth.
  • Give an antihistamine (if your health care provider says it's OK).
• Keep your child's fingernails short so they don't scratch. Younger children can also wear light gloves, especially while sleeping.

• The eczema areas look infected. Signs of infection include redness and warmth around the affected areas; yellowish fluid, crust, or scabs; or pus-filled bumps or blisters.
• The eczema does not improve with treatment or gets worse.
• Your child has trouble sleeping.

What causes eczema? The exact cause of eczema isn't known, but it's likely a combination of:

• changes in the skin and how it keeps germs out and moisture in
• how someone's immune system responds to these changes

Eczema often happens in people who have allergies and asthma. It can run in families.

Will my child's eczema go away? Most kids outgrow eczema in late childhood. But sometimes it continues into adulthood, especially in kids who have severe eczema.

Is eczema contagious? No, eczema can't spread to others.

Are bleach baths helpful? Bathing your child in a very diluted bleach solution a couple of times a week can help to prevent skin infections:

• For older children, use ½ cup (120 ml) of plain household bleach (not concentrated) in a full bathtub.
• For babies, use 2 tablespoons of bleach in an infant tub.