“According to the National Eczema Association, research has found that Black children have the highest rate of atopic dermatitis. The condition affects roughly 19.3 percent of Black children versus only 16.1 percent of white children.” Eczema in children can be especially challenging for school-age kids. A child cannot cope with eczema or other skin conditions without proper care. And that care often requires your TLC, as well as, medical attention. 

Eczema, also known as Atopic Dermatitis is more than skin deep. Understand that eczema consists of a raised rash and itching and affects a child’s mental health and emotions. 

Here are some common challenges parents face when a child’s eczema worsens. This information will help you understand your child’s condition and reduce its effects.

What Triggers Eczema in Children?

“Black children may also be 70% more likely to develop atopic dermatitis than white children.” Let’s look at common factors that contribute to eczema flare-ups so you can prevent an outbreak. 

• Exposure to sun rays and excessive heat.
• Sweat stays on the affected area.
• Rough or tight clothing and clothes that trap heat.
• Allergens and irritants.
• No moisture, like lotion and dryness.
• Harsh chemicals and products.

Try to avoid these triggers as much as possible, especially to prevent scalp eczema or conditions that could make eczema worse.

“According to the National Eczema Association, research has found that Black children have the highest rate of atopic dermatitis.”

Challenges During Eczema in Children

Keep in mind that eczema doesn’t only affect someone physically. It has a visible effect on the emotional and mental condition of individuals, especially in children and teens. Often children grow out of having eczema. Here are some challenges you might face when managing this condition. 

Preventing Your Child From Scratching

Eczema itches a lot, and this is where new complications start. Adults may resist the urge to scratch to some extent but children cannot. The sensitive skin of the affected area may flake, become infected, or be scarred if the child itches a lot.

Stop your child from scratching the skin whenever possible. Apply a cold compress for a few minutes to ease the symptoms. Avoid heat, sunlight, fragrance, allergens, and harsh clothing to reduce and avoid excessive itching. 

Tackle itching during the daytime might be easier than at night. Gently massage your child with a good moisturizer or eczema cream before bed to relieve itching and ensure good sleep for your child. If your child is an infant or toddler, placing socks on their hands can prevent them from scratching.

Getting Bullied By Other Children

Kids with skin conditions are often bullied. Pay attention to your child because they will often not tell you. Talk to your child if you think they feel unsafe at school or if you notice reduced performance or behavioral changes. 

Convince your child to ignore bullying and inform you who the child is so you can talk to the teacher and the child’s parents. If the bullying continues, involve the school’s principal or director; if nothing is done, take the issue to the board of directors or speak at the next school board meeting.

Mood Swings

Eczema in children can cause mood swings. A child may feel isolated, alone, angry, and bullied. Children who get severe eczema have a high chance of developing anxiety and depression. Your child might avoid interaction with other children and people. This can lead to further complications with mental health.

To tackle these issues, speak to your child about their symptoms. Discuss how they feel and acknowledge that eczema is irritating and frustrating. This will help your child understand they have someone on their side who understands their condition. Don’t ignore mood swings since they can lead to anger issues.

Seek treatment for your child to help them manage their feelings and cope.

Issues With Sleep

Due to itching and irritation, it could be challenging for your child to sleep comfortably.  Frequent awakening and poor sleep are common issues in children with eczema. Many eczema-prone children face this issue. 

To improve sleep quality, bathe your baby and use a good moisturizer to massage your child. Moisturizing can help recover the loss of essential oils during baths and also treat dryness during an eczema outbreak. Oatmeal baths are also useful.

Massage is an effective technique to help improve sleep. Giving your child a gentle massage for 10 to 30 minutes can provide some relief. It also reduces hormones that are responsible for stress.

Social Isolation and Shame

Eczema in children can often make them vulnerable to social isolation, which can have long-lasting effects. Even after properly treating eczema symptoms, your child might avoid social interaction and not be as social as before.

Symptoms of eczema can make the skin look bumpy and scaly. Children often avoid interaction with other people and this can lead to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

Even if people don’t notice the symptoms, the child may still find that being around people makes them feel uncomfortable. 

Your child might become angry or misbehave around people when having an eczema flare-up.

How to Manage Eczema in Children?

The best way to fight eczema symptoms is to use an eczema shampoo. Follow the instructions to get the best results from this shampoo and body wash. Using a medicated moisturizer alongside an eczema body wash can provide even better results.

This should help in removing symptoms and relieve some itching. Using it two times a week is often enough. If you don’t see any improvement or the symptoms worsen, seek professional help.

• Severe eczema is challenging and negatively impacts a child’s mental health.

• To manage eczema symptoms, discuss the issue with your child and seek medical treatment.

• If your child misbehaves or interacts less with people, understand that mood swings are often common.

• Keep your child physically active and create distractions to reduce itching and pain. 

• One of the most important things is to avoid triggers that could aggravate the condition. 

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The information contained in this blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not a medical professional. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health objectives. This blog post does not address any potential racial disparities in healthcare. It is recommended that you discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and seek out resources from trusted organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (https://www.nih.gov/) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/).