Although there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, treatment can decrease your child's skin dryness and irritation, making her more comfortable.
1. Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema in Children
In severe cases, your child's physician may prescribe your child medications to help alleviate her atopic dermatitis symptoms.
Common medications include:
- steroid creams and ointments: topical medications to help decrease skin inflammation, examples are hydrocortisone, mometasone or triamcinolone antibiotics
- topical calcineurin inhibitors such as topical tacrolimus or pimec
- antihistamines: help decrease itching
- oral immunomodulators are a last resort treatment that may reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis, but they are used sparingly since they may also affect the immune system or cause cancer.
- oral corticosteroids: oral corticosteroids are to only be used as a short term solution, as there are potentially serious side effects
2. What can I do at home?
Bathe your child frequently and use moisturizers, baths are preferred over showers.
Use mild soaps and limit the use of soap.
Make sure your child's fingernails are short, as scratching may worsen atopic dermatitis.
Dress your child in lightweight clothes to reduce sweating.
Apply cool wet bandages or dressings to the affected areas.
Let your child play outside in the sun, but not for too long, as prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Have your child avoid contact with irritants, as determined by your child's physician.
Use a humidifier in your home to help keep your child's skin moist but keep the humidity less than 40%. High humidity promotes dust mite growth.
Use a fan or air conditioner in your child's room to keep the room cool, to help avoid sweating.
3. How long will treatment take?
Many children with atopic dermatitis have an underlying skin barrier defect that requires them to take special care of their skin for their whole lives. They need to avoid irritants and may need to use moisturizers daily, which helps to decrease itching and flaking. The length of treatment depends on the severity of the case of atopic dermatitis. Patients with severe atopic dermatitis in childhood are at greater risk of having atopic dermatitis in adulthood.