Infant Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition affecting as many as 20% of infants before age two. The skin becomes itchy, reddened, dry, and often cracked. Often, the lesions/patches contain small blister-like bumps that can rupture and drain and/or bleed. Although the patches may occur in any part of the body's skin, they tend to appear on the hands, feet, arms, behind the knees, ankles, wrists, face, neck, and upper chest. The skin lipid barrier (skin oils that hold in moisture) usually becomes damaged and skin develops more dryness with depleted oils. Dry skin loses pliability and easily cracks with bending or folding similarly as seen with a dry leather harness. The affected skin develops, even more, dryness and with a thick layer of dead outer skin cells that flake off like dandruff. A vicious circle can set in. It starts with unpleasant itching, then scratching which makes the itching worse, which makes the patient scratch more - eventually the skin can bleed.

Experts say that people with eczema are born with it - it is a genetically inherited condition. It definitely involves the immune system. The oily (lipid) barrier of the skin is usually reduced in people with atopic and infant eczema, compared to other people. Most cases of infant eczema go away in later years but make life miserable for infant and mom while present. The cellular immune system in infant eczema releases chemicals under the skin's surface which cause inflammation as in allergies. The goal is to control symptoms. At times lesions may require the use of an antibiotic or oral steroid treatment, but Theraderm Clinical Skin Care has a proven protocol of simple daily steps and a product to use that controls the source of the problem as well as the symptoms.

Two conditions/causes occur with infant eczema. There is inflammation connected to an immune system response to an allergen, and there is a disorder in the skin moisture barrier system of lipids that allows skin layers to dry. Theraderm Body Restoration Crème contains two ingredients that are effective in alleviating these symptoms.

  1. Lactic acid is a natural chemical present in every living cell in the body. It is known to be a major mediator of the immune system response to decreasing inflammation processes while at the same time enhances absorption of topical healing substances.
  2. A superfine grade of pure lanolin from sheep’s wool is an animal oil almost identical to the lipids forming the skin’s moisture barrier. It readily absorbs into the skin where vegetable oils (corn oil, cocoa butter, etc.) and mineral oils (Vaseline, etc.) simply sit on the surface and are easily washed off and do not enhance the skin itself.

Management

The simple steps to eradicating the itching, painful symptoms of a child or infant’s eczema begin with a daily evening bath and application of Body Restoration Crème to all affected areas.

1. Scratching the itch or bathing in hot water make the itching worse. Use cool or room temperature water for bathing and prevent scratching or picking affected areas. Gently bathe the child with Theraderm Cleansing Wash or cleanser recommended by your physician. Rinse after bathing and gently pat dry. (Avoid rubbing with towel as that usually stimulates more itching.)

2. The dry, flaky outer skin cells will be gently removed by the action of the lactic acid in the product. The natural action allows dead skin cells to weaken adhesion to other cells so they easily exfoliate over the next few days. Apply Body Restoration Crème to the skin in a moderate layer over the affected area. Gently massage into the skin surface and leave in place. You may wipe excess off with a Kleenex. The crème is water based for easy penetration into the skin.

3. The skin is now ready to benefit from restoration of the lipid barrier by lanolin that is in a form that penetrates water-based environment of skin. Repeat doing this nightly for one week. The eczema skin should be calmed down and feel good again after the first day. Repeated applications during the day usually are not necessary as the crème has “soaked into” the skin and continues to act.

4. After one week, when the acutely inflamed skin is better, begin using Theraderm Body Restoration Crème only 2-3 times each week as needed for comfort. This acts to control dryness and normal health of the lipid barrier.

5. Flare-ups may continue from time to time. If this regimen does not control quickly, antibiotic or possibly steroid medication may be needed so see your physician. Be sure to tell your doctor what skin care products you have been using. Better yet, take them with you and show him/her when you go to see your doctor so they will know what you are using.

Start the healing process today with Theraderm Body Restoration Creme!