Most kids get itchy rashes at one time or the other. But eczema can be a nuisance that may prompt scratching that makes the problem worse....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Now, experts say that moisturising newborns daily with petroleum jelly in their first six months of life may be protective of atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema in babies.
Atopic dermatitis is a skin problem that can be chronic and lead to asthma, allergies and even mood disorders.
Babies with atopic eczema often have very dry skin because their skin is unable to retain much moisture. This dryness may make the skin more likely to react to certain triggers, causing it to become red and itchy.
Atopic eczema is more common in babies and young children. Although it can occur anywhere, but it usually affects the face, arms, elbows, knees or head, particularly the cheeks and the scalp of infants. It is not contagious and becomes less severe with age.
In the study, researchers from Oregon Health & Science University found that seven common moisturisers would be cost effective in preventing eczema in high-risk newborns and that petroleum jelly was the cheapest of them all.
Sunflower seed oil was the second cheapest moisturiser in the study and it may be an alternative for those who want to avoid petroleum jelly.
According to the study, parents can reduce their newborns’ risk of developing atopic dermatitis by half when they daily apply petroleum jelly to their skin (for at least five times a week, everywhere but the scalp) for their first six months of life.
President, Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, Dr Grace Okudo (AIG rtd) described eczema as a big umbrella that many skin conditions hide under that many Nigerians classify as same.
Eczema, which is characterised by an itchy, dry, flaky, inflamed and irritated skin problem, Dr Okudo said is sometimes mistaken for fungi skin infections that many people experience on parts of their bodies such as the chest and back.
There are at least 11 different types of skin conditions that produce eczema. Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema.
For the 2014 study, which involved 124 babies, the parents used either an over-the-counter drugstore ointment, moisturising cream or sunflower seed oil, all of which provided a similar benefit in terms of preventing eczema.
Skin experts recommend moisturisers for treatment of eczema, but until now, they have not been used to prevent the problem. Also, it is still not clear what causes atopic dermatitis and how moisturisers like petroleum jelly actually help to thwart the condition.
For now, the current thinking is that eczema is caused by a combination of factors that include genetics, abnormal function of the immune system, environment and activities that may cause skin to be more sensitive as well as defects in the skin barrier that allow moisture out and germs in.
However, the researchers presume that probably using moisturisers during infancy may help to correct outer-layer skin defects in babies who will go on to develop eczema. Those defects are thought to determine babies that may eventually develop the skin condition.
Currently ongoing are larger studies to confirm if daily application of petroleum jelly to baby’s skin beyond their first six months of life may continue to prevent atopic dermatitis. Nearly half of all individuals who develop eczema do so in the first year of their lives.
Petroleum jelly is one of the moisturisers recommended for the treatment of eczema by the National Eczema Association, though not as a prophylactic treatment.
Also, the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends petroleum jelly as one of the top choice moisturisers for treating (not necessarily preventing) eczema, including atopic dermatitis, because it’s among the most moisturising.
Moreover, petroleum jelly is safe, fragrance-free and doesn’t have preservatives or additives that could potentially cause irritation or other allergies.
Dr Olarewaju Falodun, a consultant dermatologist at the National Hospital Abuja corroborated that petroleum jelly may help a little with atopic eczema even though it is not the treatment for the problem when it occurs.
Falodun warned that petroleum jelly is not applicable in all cases of eczema, adding that some types of eczema might in fact be worsened with its application.
According to him, “Generally, one may say that petroleum jelly may help with atopic eczema. It might be helpful with a dry, irritating skin, but it is supposed to be an adjunct to other modes of treatment that the doctor will prescribe for the condition.”
Dr Jerome Elusiyan, a consultant paediatrician, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State said that petroleum jelly may be helpful in eczema been an emollient that soften and prevent dryness of skin.
According to the paediatrician, petroleum jelly which is also helpful in preventing nappy rash however will not work for all rashes.
“In the local setting, eczema is a colloquial for skin rashes. So, petroleum jelly might not be helpful for all cases of skin rashes. But in preventing nappy rash, it prevents water staying on the skin as well as organisms thriving to cause problems,” he said.
Elusiyan, however, stated that eczema is not so common in Nigeria.According to him, “It is not as common as malaria in babies, although skin rashes are often wrongly called eczema by many people. These rashes tend to occur when babies are over-clothed or due to hot weather.”
Helping your child cope with eczema
Avoid giving the child frequent hot baths, which tend to dry the skin.
Use warm water with mild soaps when bathing the child. Avoid using scented soaps.
Avoid excessive scrubbing and towelling after bathing the child. Instead, gently pat the child’s skin dry.
Dress the child in soft clothes that “breathe,” such as those made from cotton.
Apply moisturising ointments such as petroleum jelly regularly and always within a few minutes of bathing, after a very light towel dry.
Avoid alcohol-containing lotions and moisturisers, which can make skin dry.
Apply cool compresses such as a wet, cool washcloth) on the irritated areas of skin to ease itching.
Keep the child’s fingernails short to minimise any skin damage caused by scratching.
Help the child avoid becoming overheated, which can lead to flare-ups.
Have the child drink plenty of water, which adds moisture to the skin…CONTINUE READING>>
