Looking after a baby is one of the toughest jobs in the world. The crying and mess are enough to send non-parents running for the hills! But, as a parent, you can’t help but be tender and nurturing. Your caring side runs deep for your own baby, and after that every child you ever meet. Something about becoming a parent truly does change you inside. For every cry, you are alert and searching for something that could be causing it. The baby may be hungry, dirty or sleepy, but sometimes it is something else, and that is when panic sets in.
When your baby won’t stop crying you can be very tempted to ring the emergency services. As a parent, you quickly learn the best ways to soothe your baby, and can even identify what each different cry is about. But when a new cry starts, and it won’t stop, you can be filled with dread and worry. Most of the time, it is nothing to worry about, and baby eventually settles down. Very rarely is it anything serious, but occasionally there can be a medical reason for the upset.
Some babies are quite sensitive souls. They will feel a little breeze or moisture on their skin and be surprised by the sensation. Some will cry about it, others will giggle. A number of babies have a condition called baby eczema that brings with it an infuriating itch that won’t quit. It can affect them from as young as eight weeks old but older babies and children can also suddenly develop this for no particular reason. It makes the skin look red and angry, and it feels very dry and itchy.
The real problem arises when your little one has scratched the eczema. This can easily tear fragile baby skin, and then can easily become infected. To prevent this, try some ScratchSleeves or another way to keep the nails away from the skin. Most babies and children grow out of this complaint, so it is unlikely to last long. However, it is worth seeking medical advice, especially if the skin is broken. You may be able to get a prescription for some soothing cream.
The challenges of parenthood are many but when our little bundles of joy are suffering we can worry ourselves sick. There are going to be many occasions over the next couple of decades when you will worry about your child’s health and well-being. None of them will feel any easier than the moment you find your baby has eczema. Fortunately, parenthood also makes us strong and capable of dealing with these times. We know it comes with the territory, and we know that usually nothing serious is ever wrong. We won’t worry any less though!
If your little one has eczema, you may see some red skin marks start on their cheeks. It can look like flushing. If you are concerned, check your baby’s temperature. If the temperature is normal, you can keep an eye on it. The dry redness will spread to some other parts of the body. If you see a rash that covers the majority of the trunk of your baby’s body, consult your doctor.