7 Eczema Products That Will Soothe Your Kids' Skin
When your little one suffers from eczema, all you want to do is make them feel better — and using eczema products that soothe kids’ skin is a great way to start. But it’s important to have a deeper understanding of it. “Eczema is generally a hereditary condition,” Latanya T. Benjamin, MD, FAAD Associate Professor of Pediatric Dermatology and Consulting Dermatologist for Mustela, tells SheKnows. “Eczema is 40 to 50% more likely to occur in children if one parent has a history of the condition. This increases to 50 to 80% if both parents suffer with eczema.”
So how is eczema different in children from adults? “Generally, it’s the same idea,” Dr. Hadley King, MD, Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Consulting Dermatologist for AcneFree, tells SheKnows. “Although it’s possible to develop adult-onset eczema, most adults who have eczema have had it since childhood. For most kids, eczema improves with age but this is not true for everyone.”
Eczema can be further irritated by heat and sweating, as well as allergens. “About half of my pediatric patients have worse eczema in the wintertime (due to excessive dryness of the skin and lack of atmospheric humidity) and the other half in the summer (due to heat that triggers intense itching),” Benjamin says. “Unfortunately, patients with the worst cases of eczema can be impacted year-round.”
Though eczema is mostly hereditary, there are other things that can trigger it, namely stress — which “never helps any skin condition, whether it be acne, psoriasis or eczema,” Benjamin says.
Aside from keeping your kid zen, there are other things parents can do to help their children’s eczema stay under control. For starters: Learn to identify — and avoid — your child’s specific triggers that result in an eczema flare, Benjamin says. Also, anyone with eczema should avoid excessive drying of the skin — so say goodbye to long hot baths or showers and stick to bathing in cooler water. Avoid harsh detergents and soaps, products with fragrances and any known allergic foods identified on formal testing, such as shellfish and peanuts.
Tending to the skin barrier is the key to managing eczema, King says. “This means diligent use of hydrators and emollients and cleansing only with very gentle soap substitutes that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils and dry out the skin like detergents can. Humidifiers can also be helpful. When necessary, there are prescription medications that can be used to manage eczema, including topical and systemic corticosteroids and other immunomodulators.” (Scared to use topical corticosteroids because of possible side effects? King cautions that although there are possible side effects, “when these medications are used appropriately they can be both safe and effective.”)
The fact is, eczema is a chronic condition that comes and goes, so parents shouldn’t blame themselves when a flare-up happens. Just stick to your child’s skincare routine and it will get better. “Consistency and maintenance are key for eczema-prone skin,” Benjamin says. So consider adding these eczema products, which are specifically designed to soothe kids’ skin, to your little one’s routine:
Honest Company Eczema Soothing Therapy Balm
Apply this gentle balm to eczema patches to soothe irritation and rough skin. The formula is free of steroids and is a combination of prebiotics and natural ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal, coconut and safflower oils.
Honest Company Eczema Soothing Therapy Balm, $13, at honest.com
California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash
The main ingredient here is oatmeal, which is a natural skin soother. Protecting baby’s skin starts at bath time, so use this twofer for shampoo and body wash. The balanced formula heals cracks and irritations.
California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash, $37, at Amazon
CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment
Made to treat diaper rash, this ointment protects skin and is healing for eczema flares.
CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment, $11.99 at Amazon
Exederm Hydrating Baby Lotion
This gentle moisturizer is ranked with five stars by the National Eczema Association — and for good reason. Not only is it made to lock in moisture but it’s free of additives likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Exederm Hydrating Baby Lotion, $10.98 at Amazon
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment
Harsh soaps can strip your baby’s skin, leaving it even more parched, but this gentle bath treatment will keep your little one’s skin hydrated and boost the skin’s moisture barrier. It contains oatmeal to soothe itching, so it also offers plenty of relief to bug bites and rashes.
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment, $14, at Amazon
Granberg Bamboo Eczema Gloves for Kids
Got an itchy kid? Deter scratching and lock in moisture from creams and ointments by having your child wear gloves to bed or around the house. These are made of breathable bamboo, are machine washable and are made in various sizes to fit little hands.
Granberg Bamboo Eczema Gloves for Kids, $19.99 at Amazon
Eczema Honey Soothing Mommy and Baby Balm
In this luxe balm, candelilla wax, mango butter and essential oils combine to moisturize and protect skin. Colloidal oatmeal soothes. Be sure to do a patch test first to rule out an allergy to any of the ingredients.
Eczema Honey Soothing Mommy and Baby Balm, $21.95 at Eczema Honey
TruKid Eczema Bubble Podz
Pre-measured pods make it easy to give a kid a bubble bath — and these are specially designed with natural skin-soothing ingredients for kids with eczema.
TruKid Eczema Bubble Podz, $17.75 at Amazon
Wrap-E-Soothe Eczema Sleeves for Kids
If your kid flares up around the knees and elbows, these sleeves will help relieve itching and are perfect to wear over moisturizer at night.
Wrap-E-Soothe Eczema Sleeves for Kids, $29.95 at Amazon
Trukid Eczema Daily Unscented SPF 30+ Natural Sunscreen
Eczema-prome skin still needs sun protection! This mineral-based natural sunscreen is made to moisturize skin while providing important sun protection for kids.
Trukid Eczema Daily Unscented SPF 30+ Natural Sunscreen $18.99 at Amazon
Mustela Stelatopia Skin Soothing Pajamas
You and your baby will sleep better when your little one is tucked into these PJs that are made specifically for eczema-prone skin. Made from 100% cotton, they use microcapsule technology to provide moisture to soothe the skin all night long. They run from baby to toddler sizes.
Mustela Stelatopia Skin Soothing Pajamas, $35, at Amazon
Elizabeth Parker Baby Eczema Cream
If you prefer that your baby’s skin care products come from nature, this is the cream for you. The natural, organic cream can be used on the face and body to deliver relief instantly and over time — it works its magic for up to eight hours. You can also use it to treat diaper rash and bug bites.
Elizabeth Parker Baby Eczema Cream, $17, at Amazon
Cetaphil Baby Eczema Calming Lotion
Remember what we said earlier about boosting your baby’s moisture barrier? This will do the trick. Slather it on daily to hydrate even the most sensitive skin and soothe itching.
Cetaphil Baby Eczema Calming Lotion, $16, at Amazon
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
This multitasker is made for babies’ sensitive skin, and it delivers relief to eczema by hydrating and protecting the skin. Panthenol and glycerin bring deep moisture and protect the skin. The multitasker also works on chapped cheeks, bug bites and cuts.
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, $13, at Amazon
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