Index
What is Eczema ? Would It Go Away With Age ?
What Causes Skin Allergies in Children ? 2 Major Factors Explained
4 Major Symptoms of Children's Skin Allergies
Dietary Adjustments for Children with Skin Allergies: 4 Key Principles from Nutritionists
3 Key Habits to Improve Skin Allergy Symptoms
How to Relieve Itching in Allergic Children: 3 Effective Methods
Author: Dr. CHIEN YU-HSUAN / Nutrionist Jessie Feng
During a baby’s growth, encountering eczema (atopic dermatitis) can often lead to intense itching, causing restless nights and frequent crying, leaving parents anxious and heartbroken. Eczema commonly appears early in a child’s life, with a high prevalence, making it one of the top three challenges for new parents.
To better understand how to care for babies with eczema, this article shares effective skin allergy care strategies from pediatricians and nutritionists. It offers guidance to help parents restore comfort for their little ones.
What is Eczema ? Would It Go Away With Age ?
"Allergy" refers to a condition shaped by both a person's genetic predisposition and continuous environmental stimuli, leading to allergic reactions. Depending on age and allergens, common allergies include atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as "eczema") is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin condition that is one of the most common allergic diseases in children, affecting approximately 10-20% of the pediatric population.
Eczema typically begins before the age of one and tends to improve with age. About 50% of children with atopic dermatitis experience significant improvement during adolescence, with the possibility of full recovery.
What Causes Skin Allergies in Children ? 2 Major Factors Explained
Factor 1 : Genetic Predisposition
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) has a strong genetic component. The genetic predisposition primarily affects the skin's barrier function and the immune response to allergens.
- Epidermal Defects → Moisture Loss → Dry Skin → Weakened Skin Protection, Easier Allergen Penetration
Children with eczema have inherent defects in their skin barrier, such as a lack of structural proteins that help retain moisture in the epidermal cells. This leads to moisture loss, making the skin dry and less effective at providing protection. As a result, allergens can more easily penetrate the skin, triggering allergic reactions.
- Allergic Immune Response:
Children with this genetic predisposition are more prone to allergic immune responses when exposed to allergens. These children are likely to produce IgE antibodies that, when combined with allergens, trigger the release of histamine, leading to inflammation and symptoms such as redness, itching, and swelling.
Factor 2: External Allergen Exposure
Even with a genetic predisposition, children must still be exposed to allergens to trigger allergic reactions.
- In Young Children (Under 3 Years Old): The primary allergens are often food-related, including dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, and shellfish.
- In Older Children (Over 3 Years Old): Environmental factors become the primary allergens, such as dust mites or exotoxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus on the skin. Other triggers include sweat, dry weather, and irritants like woolen clothing.
These two factors combined explain why some children are more susceptible to developing skin allergies, particularly eczema.
4 Major Symptoms of Children's Skin Allergies: Itchy, Red, Rough, Recurrent
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) can be summarized with four key words: itchiness, redness, rough, and recurrence.
Itchiness is the most typical characteristic of skin allergic reactions. The redness results from inflammation caused by the allergic response. As the inflammation continues, the skin becomes rough and loses its smooth texture. The condition is recurrent, as the skin repeatedly becomes irritated and is difficult to heal, especially with constant scratching.
Children often develop red rashes on their cheeks, forehead, scalp, neck, and limbs. For older children, eczema tends to affect areas like the inner elbows, wrists, ankles, and behind the knees, where the skin folds. The constant cycle of scratching and inflammation makes it challenging for the skin to recover.
Dietary Adjustments for Children with Skin Allergies: 4 Key Principles from Nutritionists
Principle 1: Choose Fresh Foods
Select fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients to reduce allergy risks and ensure high nutrient content.
Avoid foods that are not fresh, contaminated, or nearing spoilage. Be cautious of foods like mackerel, which may contain high levels of histamine and could trigger allergies. Other histamine-rich foods, such as fermented products, processed meats, and pickled foods, can also contribute to chronic hives.
Principle 2: Avoid Known Allergens
If possible, have your child tested for allergens or monitor their reaction to certain foods based on their dietary history.
Teach your child to recognize and avoid known allergens by reading food labels for ingredients such as shellfish, fish, mango, peanuts, sesame, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, gluten, and sulfites.
Principle 3: Ensure a Balanced Diet with 6 Food Groups
A balanced diet ensures children consume all six major food groups. It’s essential to include 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits daily to provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and zinc, which are vital for skin health. Dietary fiber in fruits and vegetables also supports digestive and immune system health. Be mindful of potential allergens in certain fruits, such as mango and kiwi.
Foods like brown rice germ, wheat germ, corn, and potatoes contain ceramides, vitamins B, and C, which are beneficial for skin health.
**Ceramides are important for connecting skin cells, helping the skin retain moisture, and acting as a protective barrier. Children with eczema often have a deficiency in ceramides, which compromises the skin’s protective function.
Principle 4: Opt for Natural, Less Processed Foods
Minimize spicy, oily, and salty dishes, as well as refined sweets and processed foods, which may stimulate the immune system and lack essential nutrients.
Try to use natural seasonings instead of artificial flavors or irritating spices, and avoid excessive amounts of oil, salt, and sugar. Natural seasonings can enhance the flavor of food without triggering the immune system. Opt for healthier oils, such as flaxseed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil, which are rich in gamma-linolenic acid, as well as fish rich in EPA and DHA for added health benefits.
3 Key Habits to Improve Skin Allergy Symptoms
The key to eczema care is to prevent, as keeping away from allergens exposure and factor stimulate is to be highlighted.
Habit 1: Limited Exposure to Allergens
For children with eczema, it’s wise to minimize exposure to allergenic foods, such as milk, egg yolks, soy, peanuts, and shellfish. You may consider introducing these foods in small amounts or waiting until the child is older before reintroducing them.
Habit 2: Breastfeeding and Hydrolyzed Formula
Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for infants. If breastfeeding is insufficient, hydrolyzed formula is recommended, as studies show it can prevent eczema. Research also suggests that maintaining a healthy gut with probiotics may help reduce the risk of eczema.
Habit 3: Keep the Skin Clean and Moisturized
Sweat and dry skin are major triggers for eczema. Ensure your child’s sweat is wiped away promptly and keep them cool in the summer, using air conditioning if necessary. Cleanse their skin with mild, hypoallergenic soap, but avoid over-cleansing, which can strip the skin of its natural oils. Moisturize with creams, lotions, or ointments that are highly hydrating or contain ceramides to prevent dryness and discomfort.
How to Relieve Itching in Allergic Children: 3 Effective Methods
Current treatments for atopic dermatitis can be categorized into three main approaches to help alleviate itching:
Method 1: Steroid Creams
Steroid creams are the most direct way to reduce allergic inflammation in the skin. They can be used for mild, moderate, or severe cases, but should be applied as directed by a doctor to avoid potential side effects, such as skin thinning.
Method 2: Non-Steroidal Immunomodulatory Creams
This newer type of cream is effective for reducing inflammation in mild to moderate cases of eczema and has fewer side effects compared to steroids.
Method 3: Oral Medications
Oral medications typically include antihistamines or steroids. Antihistamines help relieve itching, while oral steroids are used for short-term treatment during acute, severe flare-ups.
The appropriate treatment method should be determined by a doctor based on the severity of the child’s condition. A comprehensive evaluation ensures the best relief for your child’s symptoms.
Still longing for the supplement help on Atopic dermatitis?
RISAL Multivitamin & Ceramide Chewable Tablets is considered a suitable help. Added Japanese patented brown rice extract which contains Ceramide to enhance natural skin barrier function, Multivitamin & Ceramide Chewable Tablets is formulated to protect growing kids to skin allergy from exterior factors. Plus, It contains 14 vitamins and minerals to support good maintenance of the skin and mucous membranes.