Dermatitis in babies: causes, symptoms, treatment

Dermatitis is one of the most common skin problems in babies. The term dermatitis refers to a skin condition that appears extremely dry with a red, itchy rash due to inflammation. Not infrequently the symptoms of dermatitis also cause a burning sensation in the baby's skin which makes the little one even more uncomfortable. This condition is of course worrying parents.

Dermatitis itself has many types, each of which can show distinctive symptoms. Well, different types of dermatitis have different ways to deal with them. Therefore, it is important for you to distinguish between the types of dermatitis that are common in babies.

What causes dermatitis in babies?

Until now, the mechanism that causes skin inflammation cannot be fully explained.

Studies on the causes of dermatitis so far have shown that skin inflammation can be affected by a variety of different conditions. According to the National Eczema Association, the following are some of the things that can trigger dermatitis in babies:

Genetic history or a family history of dermatitis.
Immune system disorders.
Descendants of families with allergies, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
Environmental factors such as consumption of certain foods, exposure to irritants and allergens.

Dermatitis that occurs in children can be affected by only one or several combinations of the above factors.

Apart from internal factors, several risk factors from the external environment can also trigger and even aggravate the condition of dermatitis.These trigger factors include:

Skin irritation
Irritants such as chemical products that contain fragrances
Infection with germs
Extreme weather changes
Allergens such as animal dander, pollen, and dust

Symptoms of dermatitis that are common in infants

Dermatitis symptoms usually appear within the first 6 months of the baby's age.

Babies who have dermatitis can have more specific symptoms besides a red rash, dry skin, and itching.

The more typical symptoms of dermatitis usually appear related to the specific type that the baby is experiencing. There are many types of dermatitis, namely atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. However, the most common in infants are atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.

The following are the symptoms that can be caused by the two types:

1.Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is the most common form of dermatitis. Eczema in babies usually develops in three distinct phases.

In infants under 6 months of age, the symptoms of dermatitis are more often found on the face, cheeks, chin, forehead and scalp. The characteristics of eczema appear in the form of:

Reddish spots on the skin.
Skin turns dry.
Peeling skin.

Over time the symptoms can spread to the elbows and knees with spots that form a red rash. Inflammation also causes the skin to look more dry and scaly.

In infants aged 1 year and over, symptoms can appear in the skin folds such as wrists, feet and a rash in the diaper area. Not infrequently, symptoms also appear around the eyelids and mouth.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in infants may disappear for a long time and recur. This is very much influenced by the trigger factor. If the baby is again exposed to the irritant and becomes irritated, the symptoms can reappear.

2. Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis in babies has a characteristic symptom of yellowish-white skin scales that stick to the scalp. This skin problem in babies is also known as cradle cap.

The skin scales that appear have a appearance similar to dandruff and can cause irritating itching.

Apart from the scalp, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can also appear in several other parts of the body, such as the forehead, eyebrows, neck, chest, and groin of the baby.

This scaly skin condition is triggered by inflammation and causes excess oil production on the baby's scalp. In addition, Malassezia or Pityrosporum yeast infection can also trigger inflammation.

This fungus normally lives on human skin. However, some babies' skin overreacts to it and can easily become infected. Their immune system, which is still developing, also makes babies more susceptible to infection.

How to treat dermatitis in babies

In mild cases, the symptoms of dermatitis in babies can indeed subside on their own. However, itching and stinging from skin inflammation can make the baby uncomfortable.

While there is no complete cure for dermatitis, a number of skin care steps can be followed to control symptoms. Especially if the symptoms don't go away for months.

1. Use safe skin cleansing products

In treating baby skin affected by dermatitis, avoid using cosmetic type cleansers because they are more prone to causing irritation.

Shampoos and soaps for babies with dermatitis should not contain chemical detergents and fragrances so they tend to be mild and don't sting the skin.

Products derived from traditional ingredients that are used as natural dermatitis drugs can also be an option. However, the National Eczema Society no longer recommends using olive oil because it can exacerbate damage to the baby's skin.

Also use a special moisturizing oil or cream for babies with dermatitis regularly at least 2 times a day, namely after bathing and when your little one is asleep.

2. Bathing the baby with a special technique

Bathing is very important in keeping your little one's skin clean and removing dirt and irritants that can trigger skin inflammation.

In addition to using safe products, you should also bathe the baby using warm water added with emollient oil (non-cosmetic moisturizer) to keep the skin moist.

While cleaning the affected area, do not rub too hard. You can use a soft bristled brush so as not to cause irritation.

Also, don't try to scratch or remove skin scales with your hands, as this can increase the risk of a skin infection.

For babies affected by seborrheic dermatitis, apply baby oil or petroleum jelly slowly on his scalp before at least an hour before bathing.

Limit your little one's bathing time to about 5-10 minutes. After drying, apply a special moisturizer for dermatitis skin.

3. Medical treatment

Immediately consult your little one to a dermatologist if you experience symptoms of more severe dermatitis. Consult your doctor if symptoms get worse from day to day.

If needed, the doctor will usually prescribe an antifungal cream, a corticosteroid cream with mild steroid potency, and a shampoo for dermatitis containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar, or zinc pyrithione.

4. Avoid dermatitis triggers

Dermatitis in babies can get better or worse over time and this can be very important when a trigger is present. The triggers for eczema in babies can be sweat, saliva, animal hair, or chemicals that are present in some products.

If your little one is often exposed to triggers, the symptoms of dermatitis in babies will be worse. Also observe various things around the baby that you could suspect are triggers of dermatitis. After that, make sure the baby is protected from these triggers.