Nummular eczema in infants is visible in the shape of small round patches. This skin condition is also called cradle cap. The word “nummular” comes from Latin, meaning a small coin. It’s a good description of the appearance of this disease. Nummular eczema in infants is not just a long term disease; it can be an ongoing medical condition as well that will require proper eczema treatment.
Infants throughout the globe but especially those in western society commonly experience nummular eczema. Nummular eczema is just one type of eczema, which is essentially a skin disorder that results in extreme itchiness. You might find that there are periods of time when there are no symptoms visible, but this is typically soon followed by a further flare up. Infants who experience nummular eczema generally have very dry skin. And not only is their skin dry, they also usually are very sensitive to itching. Most infants will grow out of nummular eczema. But others will go on experiencing flare ups from the condition for most of their lives.
It’s hard to identify the exact cause of infant nummular eczema. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to note that 75 percent of infant nummular eczema patients have a family history of allergy related problems. It’s not unusual for infants who have nummular eczema to suffer from allergies, asthma, and hay fever, as well.
A common symptom of this skin condition is a rash on the baby’s cheeks that is very itchy. The rash can spread over the face, down the neck to the diaper area. It may also appear on the legs and arms. The itchiness is very likely to make the infant very irritable, especially at night. You can reduce the symptoms by using medication prescribed by your doctor, as well as minimizing things that irritate the condition, like lanolin, wool, or certain foods that might be causing allergies.
You can minimize the discomfort and prevent future outbreaks through the following means:
* Use only mild soaps and fragrance free bath and skin care products
* Use blankets and clothes that are made from cotton and avoid synthetic materials like polyester
* After the bath, gently pat the skin dry; don’t rub
* Keep a humidifier running to add moisture to your home
Even though the rash that accompanies nummular eczema is generally dry, if the skin becomes infected the eczema will start to develop pus. If this happens, take your child to the pediatrician for an examination and appropriate eczema treatment.
Because of the irritation and the constant itchiness it’s not unusual for infants to scratch at the affected region and end up developing a secondary infection. It’s quite hard to prevent a cranky, itchy baby from scratching but every means possible should be used to be certain that their hands are clean and free of bacteria. Try putting socks or mittens on their hands to minimize any damage caused by nummular eczema in infants.
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