Provide Instant Relief For Dry, Itchy Skin With These Eczema Creams For Kids
byIleana Morales Valentine
Itchy, dry skin is often a sign of eczema in babies and kids, but the right product can help clear up the uncomfortable symptoms. The best eczema cream for kids has moisturizing ingredients to soothe sensitive skin and avoids potential irritants like fragrance and essential oils.
Eczema is a chronic condition, often beginning before the age of 5. “It typically starts in infancy and continues throughout childhood [...] and many kids outgrow eczema," Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, M.D., dermatologist and author of Beyond Soap, tells Bustle, adding that you aren't limited to eczema creams labeled for treating kids. But if the condition is irritating now, there are several over-the-counter options consisting of moisturizing formulas that protect the skin and help it heal.Kids with eczema need a cream or ointment — rather than a thinner lotion — to soothe their dry, irritated skin, according to Dr. Skotnicki, who adds that she prefers ointments or "an emollient moisturizer" for targeting eczema.
One particular ingredient, according to the National Eczema Association, can help soothe the itching associated with eczema: colloidal oatmeal. There are also a few things you don’t want to see in an eczema cream for kids, Dr. Skotnicki explains, since they can further irritate sensitive skin: fragrance, essential oils, parabens, and soaps with a high pH.
The National Eczema Association labels products with a Seal of Acceptance so it’s easier for consumers to find creams or other products that are safe to use on sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Each of my picks below bears this seal. Dr. Skotnicki also recommends using cleansers instead of true soaps when it comes time to wash eczema-prone skin, so I’ve also included a soothing cleanser cream on my list.
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