Dry Skin or Eczema? How to Help Your Child Stop Itching

Does your child have dry, itchy skin that gets worse when the weather turns cold? It could be more than just dry skin. It might be eczema, a common skin condition that affects many children.

The good news? A few simple changes to your child's daily routine can help ease the itching and keep their skin healthy.

Is It Dry Skin or Eczema?

Dry skin and eczema can look alike, but there are some key differences.

"Dry skin often looks flaky without much redness," explains Lisa Gelles, MD, Director of Pediatric Dermatology at MetroHealth. “Eczema, though, makes skin itchy. It can begin at any age, but research shows most children show signs of it before age 5.”

Eczema usually causes itching, redness, scaling and rough patches of skin. On darker skin, the patches may look purple, gray or darker than the skin around them. Children who scratch a lot may develop thick, raised areas of skin. These patches often improve with treatment.

What Causes Eczema?

Eczema often runs in families. Children with eczema may also have family members with asthma or allergies.

Dr. Gelles explains that children with eczema often have a weaker skin barrier. Think of this barrier as a wall that keeps moisture in and things that irritate the skin out.

When that barrier doesn't work well, moisture escapes. Soaps, fragrances, cold air and other things can then cause itching and rashes.

The key to treating eczema is helping repair that barrier.

5 Ways to Protect Your Child's Skin

Winter can be especially hard on children with eczema. Cold air outside and dry heat indoors can make itching worse.

Dr. Gelles recommends these simple steps:

1. Keep baths short and warm. A five-minute bath in warm, not hot, water can help clean and hydrate the skin. Gently pat your child's skin dry afterward.
2. Moisturize right away. Apply a thick moisturizer while your child's skin is still slightly damp. Plain petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, or a fragrance-free cream with ceramides can help lock in moisture. Apply it often throughout the day.
3. Choose gentle soaps. Use fragrance-free cleansers made for sensitive skin. Some all-in-one shampoo and body wash products can irritate the skin.
4. Skip scented products. Lotions with lavender, perfumes or other added scents may make eczema worse. Look for products labeled "fragrance-free" rather than just "unscented."
5. Protect skin from the cold. Before your child heads outside, apply moisturizer to help protect exposed skin. If you use a humidifier indoors, clean it often to prevent mold and germs from growing.

Don't Forget the Lips

Cold weather and dry indoor air can also cause cracked, sore lips.

Children may lick their lips to make them feel better, but saliva can make dryness worse.

Plain petroleum jelly is often the best choice. Some flavored or scented lip balms contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. Keep a small tube handy so your child can apply it throughout the day.

Can Food or Laundry Detergent Make Eczema Worse?

Parents sometimes wonder if their child's diet is causing eczema.

Most children with eczema do not need to avoid certain foods unless they have a diagnosed food allergy. Food allergies more often cause hives or other symptoms.

Laundry products can also bother sensitive skin. Choose a detergent without added fragrances or dyes, especially if your child's eczema is severe.

After playing outside, a bath or shower can help wash away pollen, grass and other things that may irritate the skin.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Good skin care can help control mild eczema, but some children need more treatment.

If your child's itching keeps them awake, gets in the way of daily activities or leads to open sores, it's time to call a doctor.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone may help small areas of eczema but check with your child's healthcare provider before using it, especially on the face or on young children.

For more serious eczema, dermatologists can prescribe creams that calm the skin and reduce itching. Both steroid and non-steroid treatments are available.
With the right care, most children can find relief from dry, itchy skin and get back to having fun.