What is the best eczema cream for my baby?

I’m often asked what is the best eczema cream to use for my baby? The answer I always give is an inexpensive eczema cream without any nasties in it. You’ll be using lots of it every day, so you want something free of anything which might irritate your baby’s already sensitive skin and an eczema cream which doesn’t cost the earth because you don’t want to have to add too much to the monthly budget if you can avoid it. It is so important to moisturise your baby’s eczema skin, even when there aren’t any red and itchy patches. Moisturising several times a day helps to prevent eczema flare-ups. When your baby’s skin is dry it isn’t because it doesn’t have enough oil but because it doesn’t hold water. Wind, low humidity, cold temperatures, washing with drying soaps can all take the moisture out of the skin and bring on eczema flare-ups. By using a moisturiser we put water back into the skin.

What’s the best way to moisturise my baby’s eczema?

It is all about bathing and moisturising basics. The best way I know to get the most moisture into your baby’s skin is to have a quick soak in the bath, about ten minutes, and to moisturise all over their body straight after. This will form a barrier on your baby’s skin, holding in the water, and helping to stop eczema patches.

What is the best eczema cream?

There are many creams on the market which are marketed to use for eczema. The eczema cream I have had the most success with and the one which was first recommended to me by my paediatric dermatologist and is called emulsifying ointment in water. You will be able to buy emulsifying ointment at your local pharmacy but your pharmacist will mix the water into it. This process boosts the hydrating properties of the ointment.

Are steroid creams safe for my baby’s eczema?

From time to time your doctor might recommend treating your baby’s eczema flare-ups with steroid creams. Steroid creams and ointments are safe if used in the right way and are often a necessary way to control your baby’s eczema flare-up. There’s very little evidence that these cause skin thinning when used as your doctor has prescribed, and there’s is no evidence that this any skin thinning is permanent. Steroid creams should always be used with the instruction of your doctor who will prescribe the right strength of cream and let you know how often to apply it onto the affected areas. And always remember use plenty of moisturiser, you can use as much of this as your baby needs.

This post was brought to you and your baby with love from Julia and the Itchy Baby Co. team X. 

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.