The 6 Best Essential Oils for Eczema in Babies and How to Use Them

What is Baby Eczema?

According to the National Eczema Association, “eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become itchy, inflamed, or have a rash-like appearance.”

While there are 7 types of eczema and they can begin at any stage in life, the following 4 are the most common to affect children ages 6 months to 5 years old:

• Atopic Dermatitis
• Contact Dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic Eczema
• Seborrheic Dermatitis, commonly known as “Cradle Cap” in infants

Eczema is very common and it is important to understand that is not contagious. Its exact causes are unknown, although it is understood that it is caused by problems with the skin barrier, in which the skin contains too little of the protein filaggrin, which helps form the barrier between body and environment.

In most cases, a combination of genes and environmental triggers contribute to this condition, according to the NEA. These factors “trigger” the immune system to produce a response, resulting in inflammation of the skin cells, along with other uncomfortable symptoms.

Seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap, unlike other forms of eczema, is not the result of environmental triggers such as allergies but is believed to be triggered, at least in part, by hormones from the baby’s mother and the presence of yeast that lives on the skin’s surface. Cradle cap usually goes away within 6-12 months and does not return. Many children outgrow eczema entirely before they reach school age.

Eczema tends to run in families, and many people who are affected by eczema also have other allergic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies.

Symptoms of Baby Eczema

Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, although the diaper region of your baby is usually spared from its uncomfortable and often painful irritations. While eczema can look and act differently for different people, and at different stages in your baby’s life, some common symptoms usually include any combination of the following:

• Itchy skin
• Dry or sensitive skin
• Inflamed skin
• Scaly patches of skin
• Oozing or crusty skin

Eczema in Infants Up to 6 Months

In the early months of baby’s life, eczema can appear on the scalp (as cradle cap), and face, including cheeks, chin, and forehead. While it can spread elsewhere on the body, the diaper area is usually not affected. Eczema usually presents as reddish and weepy skin during this age, or as scaly, dry, flaky skin on the scalp.

Eczema in Babies 6-12 Months

Older babies can develop eczema on their knees and elbows. Eczema may present as yellow and crusty, or look like pus bumps at this stage.

Eczema in Toddlers 2-5 Years

At this age, eczema is more commonly found in creases and on ankles, wrists, and hands, as well as on your toddler’s face, including around the mouth and on the eyelids. Eczema may present as dry and scaly at this stage.

Understanding Your Baby’s Eczema Triggers

Understanding what triggers your baby’s eczema will go a long way in helping you manage it. Triggers may vary from child to child, and at different times and situations.

Here is just a list of common possible triggers, so that you can consider which of these may affect your baby’s eczema:

• Dry skin
• Heat and Sweating
• Insect Bites and Stings
• Stress

             --Stress doesn’t cause eczema directly, but it can make symptoms worse.

• Allergens

             --Pollen, dust, and pet dander are all potential allergens known to trigger                     eczema.

• Irritants

             --Tobacco smoke

             --Fragrances, such as in bath and body products and cleaning products

             --Soaps and cleaning agents in laundry and household cleaners

             --Antibacterial ointments

• Certain Fabrics

            --Wool

            --Synthetic Fabrics

The biggest obstacle in managing eczema is stopping the itch-scratch cycle. When an itch is scratched, the body releases histamine, which leads to further inflammation and more itching, creating the urge to scratch again, thus perpetuating the cycle.

Therefore, you want to calm the itching as much as possible to prevent further irritation and worsening of symptoms. Read on for ways to properly treat your baby’s eczema.

How to Treat Eczema

While there is no known cure for eczema, there are many ways to treat it so your baby can feel more comfortable. Targeting the dryness, itching, inflammation, and potential infection of eczema in your course of treatments will help keep baby feeling her best.

Dryness

Combating the dryness of eczema is your number one step in managing it. Dry skin is more likely to crack and become infected, so you want to prevent this from the start.

A daily or every other day lukewarm bath with a soap-free gentle cleanser will work, so long as it is hypoallergenic and fragrance- and irritant-free.

Pat baby’s skin dry after bathing.

Apply any prescription topical medications.

Apply moisturizer to baby’s entire body to lock in moisture. Be sure to use a moisturizer formulated for sensitive baby skin with eczema.

For seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap, you can use a natural-based emollient to help loosen scales on baby’s head.

Itching

Since scratching can further irritate already sensitive and inflamed skin, you want to try and prevent your baby from rubbing or scratching as much as possible. Some ways to help reduce and relieve itching include:

Keeping baby’s nails cut short

Have baby wear cotton mittens at night to prevent scratching

Wet wrap treatments

Antihistamines may help, but only use after consulting your pediatrician

Inflammation

When skin becomes inflamed and irritated, you want to help it heal as quickly as possible.

Your doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter (OTC) cortisone or steroid creams, or they may prescribe you stronger ointments to apply twice daily to affected areas during flare-ups.

Infection

When inflamed skin gets scratched, it becomes vulnerable to infection from bacteria and viruses. Be sure to check for signs of infection, such as oozing, crusting, pus bumps, or a rash that continues to worsen even after your typical treatments.

In these cases, you will want to contact your pediatrician so that they can determine whether antibiotics or antiviral medicines are appropriate for treatment.

How to Prevent Flare-Ups

There are many steps you can take at home, without the aid of a doctor, to help manage your baby’s eczema and prevent future flare-ups. Some ways include:

Maintain a regular, proper bathing and moisturizing regimen.

Wash all clothing and fabrics before coming into contact with baby’s skin.

Use sunscreens for sensitive baby skin, and only on babies over 6 months of age.

Avoid potential irritants, such as dyes, fragrance, chlorine, and other harsh chemicals in cleaning products.

Use “Free and Clear” detergents, and wash clothes with an extra rinse cycle.

Avoid dryer sheets.

Choose bath products made for babies with sensitive skin or specifically formulated for those with eczema.

There are many products on the market available that are specifically formulated to treat infant eczema nowadays. If you can’t find any in your local store, check online.

Avoid coarse fabrics that may irritate baby’s skin.

When possible, choose 100% cotton for baby, as this is least irritating for baby’s skin.

Avoid potential allergens by vacuuming and dusting often, and keep pets groomed if dander is a potential trigger.

Use essential oils to help relieve your baby’s eczema symptoms.

Treating Eczema with Essential Oils

Essential oils are plant extracts that are highly concentrated, and therefore highly potent. They can be a wonderful natural addition to your at-home care regimen for treating your baby’s eczema. There are many powerful benefits to using essential oils. But before you introduce the use of essential oils into your regime, it is important to note the following precautions:

• Essential oils should never be used with babies under 3 months of age.
• Essential oils should never be ingested by babies.
• Essential oils are very potent, and as such, they must never be applied directly. They must first be diluted in a carrier oil or cream before applying to baby’s skin.

Essential oils have a multitude of potent healing properties that can be ideal for helping to manage your baby’s eczema.

In addition to helping with the physical symptoms of eczema, essential oils will naturally benefit the body in other ways, such as impacting the immune system and the nervous system.

Here are just some of the ways essential oils can positively impact your baby’s health:

Essential oils have numerous healing properties.

Essential oils are known for their healing properties. The oils are highly concentrated and help the skin heal and regenerate new cells.

Essential oils are anti-inflammatory.

The anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils can relieve uncomfortable inflammation and help heal certain skin conditions.

Essential oils are antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial.

Many essential oils are antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial, which can help combat certain skin and hair follicle conditions.

Essential oils are moisturizing. 

Essential oils are easily and readily absorbed and can lubricate and help lock in moisture.

This is especially helpful for eczema, as dryness can trigger uncomfortable symptoms of the condition.

Essential oils help support the nervous system.

Essential oils can help restore balance or calm the nervous system, promote a greater sense of calm and peace, and support more restful sleep and regenerative healing.

While all essential oils have their benefits and uses, there are a specific few that are especially suited to help with eczema symptoms. Read on to discover what they are.