Atopic dermatitis in a child: treatment and care

atopic dermatitis · eczema in a child · childhood eczema · dry skin in a child · atopic eczema

Atopic dermatitis is a long-term skin condition: the skin is dry, itchy, and red, with flare-ups. The main treatment is daily skin care and medicine during flare-ups.

When a child has dry, red, itchy patches of skin that come and go.

⏱ Duration: a visit usually takes 20 to 30 minutes; skin care is every day, for a long time

Be sure to tell your doctor

Where and when the rash appears and what makes it worse
Which creams and medicines you already tried
Whether your child or family has food allergy, asthma, or a runny nose
How your child sleeps and whether they scratch at night

How to prepare

Photos. Take pictures of the skin during a flare-up, as it may look better at the visit.
Diary. Write down what your child ate and when the skin got worse. Do not remove foods on your own without your doctor.
Creams. Bring the creams you use, to show the doctor.

What to bring

Photos of the skin during a flare-up
The creams and medicines you use
A diary of food and flare-ups
Your child's medical record

How it goes

The doctor asks you questions and examines your child's skin
Explains what makes the rash worse and what to avoid
Chooses a daily moisturizer
Prescribes a medicine for flare-ups, if needed
Shows how much cream to use and how
Makes a plan for what to do in a new flare-up

What you'll feel

The exam does not hurt
Your child may feel shy, so say the doctor will only look

Afterwards

Bathe in warm, not hot, water, and not for long
After the bath, pat the skin dry and apply moisturizer right away
Cotton clothes and short nails
Do not be afraid of steroid ointments or stop them on your own, use them as your doctor said

Contact a doctor straight away if

The skin is weeping, crusted, or has pus, or there is a fever: see a doctor
Small blisters with a dip in the center on the skin and your child is limp: see a doctor urgently

Common questions

Will the dermatitis go away with age?

Many children get much better as they grow. Your doctor can give a more exact outlook.

Does my child need a strict diet?

Usually not. Foods are removed only if a doctor confirmed an allergy.