Managing eczema in babies: five things to know

baby

Eczema—atopic dermatitis—is common in babies and can be stressful for parents to manage. An article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) outlines practical tips to manage this condition.

“Atopic dermatitis affects 10%–20% of Canadian infants. Recognizing atopic dermatitis, getting it into remission, then keeping control can be challenging for both clinicians and caregivers,” says Dr. Derek Chu, assistant professor at the Division of Allergy and Immunology at McMaster University and co-chair of upcoming American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology atopic dermatitis guidelines. “We hope these five key messages for general and specialist care providers, as well as caregivers, promote best practices for managing atopic dermatitis in infants. Atopic dermatitis affects more than just the skin and it impacts on the whole family, so optimally managing atopic dermatitis at this critical stage in an infant’s development is important.”