Have you noticed your child's skin becoming red, itchy, or flaky, accompanied by small rashes or irritation?
If so, they may be experiencing one of the most common skin conditions in children—dermatitis.
What is Dermatitis and Why Does it Occur?
Dermatitis is an umbrella term for inflammatory skin conditions characterized by redness, dryness, flaking, rashes, and itching. In children, it’s often linked to sensitive skin prone to irritation or allergies, and it frequently has a genetic component. The most common form is atopic dermatitis.
While the causes of dermatitis can vary, the most common include:
- Allergies and Sensitivities: Dermatitis can result from contact with irritants such as certain foods, dust, pollen, harsh cosmetics, or detergents.
- Genetics: If parents or close relatives have atopic dermatitis, the likelihood of a child developing the condition increases.
- Environmental Factors: Cold, dry weather, extreme temperatures, or polluted air can dry out and irritate the skin, triggering dermatitis.
- Weakened Skin Barrier: Children’s skin is especially vulnerable. A compromised skin barrier leads to excessive moisture loss, resulting in dryness, redness, and itchiness.
What types of dermatitis are there?
Did you know that dermatitis is not the only one? Dermatitis can come in many forms, each with different causes and symptoms. It is important to find out which type of dermatitis is affecting your child, as this will influence the choice of treatment and the approach to symptom management. Here are the most common types of dermatitis in children:
- Atopic dermatitis can occur at any age, but most commonly affects babies and young children and is hereditary. Atopic dermatitis in children is accompanied by itching, inflammatory changes, painful ulcers, red, dry and inflamed skin.
- Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that occurs after skin contact with an allergenic substance.
- Dishidrotic dermatitis usually manifests itself as a sudden outbreak of redness, most often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can affect people of any age, but is most common after the age of 40.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis (or dark dermatitis) most commonly occurs on the scalp and face. It is characterised by white-yellow scales.
- Diaper dermatitis: this is an inflammation of the skin caused by prolonged skin contact with urine, faeces or irritants in nappies, resulting in redness, itching and sometimes painful ulcers on the buttocks and groin area.
How do we recognise dermatitis?
In babies, dermatitis most often appears on the cheeks, where the skin is red, inflamed, dry or moist, and there may also be scaling and tiny itchy sores. Lesions are also often present on the scalp and under the nappy area. The skin may be sensitive and pain may be present when touched.
In young children, outbreaks of dermatitis usually occur on dry areas of the skin, without fluid secretion, and typically affect the wrists, ankles and the inside of the legs or arms. The skin is often scaly and itchy, leading to additional irritation from scratching.
Treatment of dermatitis
Treatment of dermatitis in children involves moisturising the skin regularly with nourishing creams, using topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and avoiding stimuli such as certain soaps, allergens and synthetic fabrics.
In the case of infections, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication, but it is also important that the child does not scratch the inflamed area, which could only make the condition worse.
CBD and dermatitis
CBD is known to have a positive effect on dermatitis, as it is known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It is effective in soothing itching and redness; two of the most pronounced problems of dermatitis.
Cleansing atopic skin
When cleansing the skin, special attention should be paid to maintaining a healthy skin barrier. As soaps tend to dry out the skin, it is important to use a gentle shower gel that nourishes and moisturises the skin. Hemptouch Comforting Cream Body Wash cleanses the skin using a gentle vegetable base, free from sulphates which can further dry and irritate sensitive skin. It contains hemp seed oil and grape seed oil, which provide the skin with the lipids needed to replenish the skin barrier and soften and moisturise the skin.
Comforting Cream Body Wash 250 ml
Gentle cleansing care that begins to moisturise, soften and pamper the skin while you shower. This creamy body wash is based on a.. Details
€15.00
Moisturising, restoring, protectinga
Thoughtful and targeted skin care is of paramount importance in the care of atopic skin, as it can have a profound effect on the condition and the severity of the symptoms of dermatitis. For this purpose, we recommend Gentle Baby Balm - a richly nourishing, restorative and protective ointment that soothes and nourishes children's delicate skin and protects against sudden drying out.
This gently formulated balm protects and cares for sensitive and delicate baby skin. A 100% natural blend of moisturising oils an.. Details
€22.50
Pay particular attention to applying the cream or ointment for atopic dermatitis by gently tapping rather than rubbing it into the skin, as this prevents damage to the epidermis.
In addition to the products already mentioned, we recommend using the Soothing CBD
Skin Balm in case of more pronounced symptoms and skin discomfort and the Therapeutic CBD Skin Balm in case of severe itching and redness.
A multipurpose balm to soothe and protect irritated skin, while optimally restoring the skin barrier. Suitable for the entire fami.. Details
€29.00
Therapeutic CBD Skin Balm 50 ml
An intensive balm that provides immediate relief to red, itchy, irritated and flaky skin. Suitable for the whole family, including.. Details
€36.00
Sources:
https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/eczema
Posted by Barbara Novak on date , updated on .
