Eczema and Cradle Cap

What is Eczema?
A skin irritation that appears as patches of dry, red, scaly skin which may become moist. It usually appears on baby's face, behind the ears, around their neck, behind their knees and on the inside of elbows.

What causes or aggravates eczema?
* It can run in families
* Certain foods may provoke attacks in infants.
* Rough, scratchy tight clothes, woollens and synthetics.
* Frequent use of strong soap for bathing or washing clothes.
* Perfumed creams and lotions.
* Dust
* Overheating

What to do about it
Dress baby in light, soft, loose, smooth cotton clothes - don't overdress.

Use lukewarm water in the bath.

Avoid soaps and cleansing lotions - use sorbolene and glycerine cream for soap at bath time and change time.

Put mittens or socks on baby's hands to stop them scratching.

Wash baby's clothes in pure soap - don't use fabric softeners or wool mix.

When putting baby on the floor to play, place on a cotton sheet, not the carpet.

Regularly vacuum the house.

Avoid dairy foods, eggs, fish, wheat, peanuts and citrus fruit.

What is Cradle Cap?
A build up of natural oils and dry scaly skin, which can form a yellow/brown crust on baby's head, eyebrows or behind the ears.

What to do?
To remove the crusts, massage sorbolene and glycerine cream into the affected area 2-3 times a day. Leave on overnight, and wash off at bath time the next day, using a face washer - or gently brush to stimulate the scalp, and lift off the softened crusts (don't pick off with your nails). Do this every day until it clears.

How to prevent it
Every day, wash and massage baby's scalp and gently brush their head, even if they don't have much hair.

Source : Children's panadol