Eczema: Preventing Scratching and Soothing Itchy Skin in Toddlers and Babies
By Jennifer Roberge (see bio below)
If you have an itchy baby or toddler, I don’t need to tell you how impossible of a task it seems to be able to prevent them from scratching their skin when it flares up. Our innocent little ones turn into these Houdinis that can wiggle and squirm in just the right unbelievable way to reach that pesky itchy spot. Eczema in toddlers and babies is so hard to manage because it’s nearly impossible to prevent them from scratching their skin. They will scratch until it hurts and it bleeds because that is the only way they know to make the itching stop. Not only does this intense scratching cause bleeding, but it makes the eczema worse, more inflamed, and many times can create an infection. Obviously, that’s the last thing we want. So, in addition to eczema treatments for babies and toddlers, just how can you prevent your itchy little one from scratching their itchy skin? Here are a few natural eczema treatments you can try:
Please keep in mind that I am in no way a medical professional. If you’re experiencing severe rosacea or eczema or have a topical infection, it is always best to seek medical advice immediately.
Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream
As already mentioned, inflamed skin that creates a dry, itchy feeling is the worst. To lock in moisture and help your baby or toddler find instant relief, the Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream is one of our most popular treatments for eczema in toddlers and babies. This cream contains honey that is combined with organic tree nut-free oils and beeswax to create a gentle, nourishing manuka honey eczema product that will not burn or sting the skin. Making it the perfect choice for baby and toddler skin.
Emily Skin Soothers for Itchy Eczema
There are several treatments out there for eczema in toddlers that focus on oozing, dry or sensitive skin, yet if your baby or toddler is experiencing itchy skin primarily, you’ll want to check out this Baby & Adult Soother for Itchy Skin from Emily Skin Soothers. Unlike steroids or other creams, this treatment is made with only three Chinese herbs: Dang Gui, Bei Zi Cao, and Bo He all in a base of olive oil and beeswax. Aside from eczema, it also helps heal psoriasis, keratosis pilaris and rosacea redness too.
Conqueror Soothing Eczema Balm
Although not all forms of itchy eczema stem from dryness, this Conqueror Soothing Eczema Balm is the perfect choice for your child that may suffer from significant dryness. This balm is a 15-in-1 formula created to naturally moisturize and soothe dry, inflamed skin. All ingredients are 100% natural ingredients, which gives long lasting hydration and relief your child needs.
Looking for other tips on soothing eczema in toddlers and calming itchy skin? Check out these posts:
5 Tips for Soothing the Eczema Itch
How to Choose the Best Treatment for Eczema By Skin Type
How to Find YOUR Best Eczema Treatment
Please keep in mind…..
While these natural eczema treatments can help soothe your children from further damaging their skin, it’s important to look at why their skin may be itchy in the first place. What’s causing their skin to itch? Yes, they likely have eczema or another form of dermatitis, but why? Could they be eating something that may be irritating their skin? It would be helpful to consider an elimination diet then. Could they have leaky gut? If you’re looking to help heal your child’s eczema from within, then I’d recommend reading the Eczema Cure by Holistic Squid’s Emily Bartlett, an acupuncturist with a focus on holistic pediatrics, fertility and pregnancy treatments. The book has some great ideas for things to try and features a few easy recipes to promote skin health. It’s definitely worth a read for getting relief for eczema in toddlers and babies..
Do you have an effective way to heal your baby or toddler’s itchy skin? What are your favorite remedies for eczema?
Bio: Jennifer is the author of It’s An Itchy Little World blog, as well as owner of The Eczema Company. After going through so many trials and errors to heal her son’s eczema, Jennifer wanted to share her experiences and favorite products with others in need. Discover her journey here. Jennifer is not a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to take the replace of medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.
FROM: Eczema
When there is an acute flare-up of atopic eczema, combining appropriate creams with this form of mechanical protection may be a great idea, but once eczema goes beyond the acute phase, and scratching becomes a problem in itself, unfortunately clothing can become as much a tool to rub with, rather than a solution to the problem. Scratching becomes habitual much more often than is realised. Then behaviour modification, with habit reversal training, is required – together with the correct use of recommended creams.
Healing can then swiftly follow, and what is worn is no longer an issue!
My son has eczema and scratches a lot. I agree the clothing is only so helpful. Now he is so strong (10 month old big boy) that he hurts himself through clothing. How do I break the habit? Yes sometimes he itches because he is itchy.. but often times he does it when he is just tired or frustrated.
My Leila’s itch is back! Been gone for years and now puberty is rearing an ugly head?!? We’re using Emily’s cream and then Aveeno baby has a nice thick cream that works good. Is it common for puberty to bring eczema back?
Hi Caroline – I’m so sorry to hear this! Yes, sure, hormones can trigger eczema and many other conditions as well. It’s possible that the hormones have made such a change in her body that she’s now sensitive to other allergens that could be triggering this as well – environmental, foods, etc. Hope you guys can figure it out!
This is really a interesting blog. This is just because I was looking for some skin care treatment and I found that your suggestions are really appreciable.
Do you have any tips on where to buy winter gloves & bedding for children with eczema? Also searching for 100% cotton socks! Any tips would be wonderful!! Thanks!
Hi Amanda – What specifically are you looking for in winter gloves and bedding? Any specific benefits? Fabrics to avoid? This help me to point you in the right direction. Thanks.
My 3 yr old daughter has bad red scaley patches on her knees, ankles and, elbows along with blotchy areas on her back. She will cry saying “I itchy mommy, rub me”. Is it ok that I will lightly rub her versus her scratching away?