KidsHealth video. Find out about the 3 really important steps when caring for your child with eczema. Can't see this video on YouTube? Try viewing it on Vimeo
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[Music throughout video]
Voice
There are 3 really important steps when caring for your child with eczema.
Moisturiser – the more often you use it, the better.
Use lots of moisturiser.
Use it at least twice a day – more if possible.
Use it all over the body, including the face.
Bathing – this can be really helpful. Bathing once a day cleans the skin and prepares the skin for creams after the bath.
Use a moisturising wash or soap substitute.
Don’t use soap or bubble bath.
Pat the skin dry; don’t share towels.
Apply eczema creams immediately after the bath.
Steroids – these are really important if your child’s skin has active eczema and is red and itchy. Steroids can help to soothe the skin and allow it to heal and become comfortable again.
Steroid creams are safe and essential for eczema care.
Use steroids on any skin with red, itchy, active eczema.
Stop steroid creams when the eczema has gone, and start if the eczema returns, but keep using moisturiser every day.
Always remember, if your child still has red, itchy, active eczema please see your doctor or nurse.
3 steps for children with eczema
There are 3 really important steps when caring for your child with eczema.
Moisturiser
The more often you use it, the better.
Find out more about using moisturiser for children with eczema
Bathing
This can be really helpful. Bathing once a day cleans the skin and prepares the skin for creams after the bath.
Find out more about bathing for children with eczema
Steroids
These are really important if your child's skin has active eczema and is red and itchy. Steroids can help to soothe the skin and allow it to heal and become comfortable again.
Always remember, if your child still has red, itchy and active eczema, please see your doctor or nurse.
Find out more about using steroid creams in children with eczema
You can print out an eczema action plan and take it with you when you see your child's health professional. Ask them to mark on the diagram where to put moisturiser and topical steroids on your child's skin.
Antiseptic baths 2 times a week can help prevent infection and improve eczema.
Acknowledgements
Our grateful thanks to the family in consultation with Dr Diana Purvis, Dermatologist, Starship Hospital, and all the other families whose generosity was essential in the making of these videos. Thanks also to Kidzhealth (private paediatric care) and to Allergy NZ for providing facilities and support for filming.
The information and video on this eczema page have been developed and approved by the Clinical Reference Group for the Paediatric Society NZ's Eczema Clinical Network, Te Rōpū Kiripai Hapori.
