ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN TODDLERS

It's one of the most common skin diseases in childhood: Atopic dermatitis places a heavy burden on young children, and the accompanying itching makes life particularly difficult. It not only burdens the offspring, but also presents a challenge for parents. But first, the good news: When atopic dermatitis occurs in young children, significant improvements can usually be seen by the time they reach school age. Preventive measures can also be taken, and symptoms can be alleviated with the right care. This page provides you with everything you need to know about "toddler atopic dermatitis."

Atopic dermatitis in toddlers: What does it mean?

Instead of neurodermatitis, it is also referred to as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. All terms refer to the same thing: It is a skin disease based on a genetic predisposition. It usually begins in babies or toddlers, but often lessens over time. Approximately 13 percent of children are affected. In most cases, a diagnosis is made between the ages of zero and two.

Although atopic dermatitis is chronic, it is not contagious. The skin disease is not yet fully understood. However, its genetic cause is known: the skin barrier is too permeable, which can lead to sensitive reactions due to various influences.

If a doctor diagnoses atopic dermatitis in a young child, the news shouldn't be met with resignation. Over the years, the symptoms usually subside and disappear completely in about one-third of cases. They only occur in two to three percent of cases in adulthood. Nevertheless, regular care is necessary, as dry skin usually requires lifelong treatment.

Dry skin in toddlers – a common problem

Regardless of whether a toddler is diagnosed with atopic dermatitis or not, dry skin is a common problem at a young age. This is simply because the protective surface of newborns has yet to fully develop. After birth, the skin has the same structure as an adult's, but is about three to five times thinner. It is not considered fully developed until the sixth year of life. However, because the epidermis is not yet evenly thick, it continues to pose challenges to mechanical stimuli or UV radiation.

There are several reasons for dry and sensitive skin in young children. Because it's still quite thin, it loses water more easily. As a result, it lacks the necessary moisture and elasticity. As a result, it cracks more easily. Various harmful substances have an easier time penetrating the skin due to the fragile acid mantle. In addition, young children's skin produces hardly any sweat or sebum. Finally, the skin's surface area is quite large relative to body weight. This means it dries out and cools down more easily. Accordingly, it requires increased care.

Dry skin in toddlers – a common problem

Regardless of whether a toddler is diagnosed with atopic dermatitis or not, dry skin is a common problem at a young age. This is simply because the protective surface of newborns has yet to fully develop. After birth, the skin has the same structure as an adult's, but is about three to five times thinner. It is not considered fully developed until the sixth year of life. However, because the epidermis is not yet evenly thick, it continues to pose challenges to mechanical stimuli or UV radiation.

There are several reasons for dry and sensitive skin in young children. Because it's still quite thin, it loses water more easily. As a result, it lacks the necessary moisture and elasticity. As a result, it cracks more easily. Various harmful substances have an easier time penetrating the skin due to the fragile acid mantle. In addition, young children's skin produces hardly any sweat or sebum. Finally, the skin's surface area is quite large relative to body weight. This means it dries out and cools down more easily. Accordingly, it requires increased care.

If your toddler has atopic dermatitis: The typical symptoms

Atopic dermatitis in toddlers: How do I know if my child is affected? If you're a parent asking yourself this question, we can provide some clarity by describing the classic symptoms. Typical symptoms include dry, red, and sometimes flaky skin. This is accompanied by annoying itching. The affected areas may even become wet and particularly sensitive. Depending on the age, atopic eczema affects slightly different parts of the body. While it initially appears primarily on the scalp, face, and ears in babies, it then spreads further.

In young children, atopic dermatitis is most commonly found in the flexures of the joints, such as the elbows, wrists, and knees. It is therefore referred to as flexural eczema. Atopic dermatitis in young children can also be seen on the face, particularly on the lips and eyelids. Other areas affected include the buttocks, the backs of the feet, the legs, and the hands. The skin can become thicker and form crusts. It's important to remember that this skin disease occurs in flare-ups, alternating with symptom-free phases.

Skin irritations do not automatically mean atopic dermatitis in young children

Precisely because children's skin is very sensitive in the first few years of life, irritations are not uncommon. Therefore, there is no need to immediately fear that atopic eczema has struck a toddler. A classic example is so-called cradle cap. This is easily confused with cradle cap. Both phenomena are similar at first glance. In both cases, yellowish-brown scales form on the scalp.

Cradle cap is actually considered a precursor to atopic dermatitis in infants. Unlike harmless cradle cap, it doesn't appear immediately in the first few weeks after birth, but only after about three months. These descriptions show that not every irritation is cause for concern and indicates dermatitis. However, it is always advisable to take such signs seriously and monitor them closely.

There's a higher likelihood that a toddler will develop atopic dermatitis if both parents, or at least one parent, have had to deal with it themselves. Allergies can also be a sign—even more so if they're already present in older siblings. If a toddler has dry skin, itching is common. However, if the child scratches themselves noticeably often and for an extended period of time, this can be interpreted as a signal. This also applies if eczema recurs.

Parents should also be aware of various factors that may worsen the skin's condition. Clothing, certain foods, or sweating are common examples. If you suspect a cause, it's recommended to consult a doctor for clarification. The earlier a diagnosis of dermatitis in a toddler is made, the better the chances of targeted treatment.

Atopic dermatitis in toddlers: causes, triggers and influences

Atopic dermatitis in young children can have a variety of causes. The underlying cause of the disease is a genetic disorder affecting the skin's barrier function. A deficiency of certain proteins results in defective development of the protective stratum corneum. This makes it more prone to drying out and therefore even more vulnerable to external influences.

A predisposition alone isn't a cause for atopic dermatitis—but it does increase the likelihood of an outbreak. These are usually caused by several unfavorable factors. These factors depend on the individual. The following are considered the most common:

• certain foods (eggs, wheat, soy, dairy products)
• Allergens (pollen, house dust mites, pet hair)
• climatic conditions (sultry heat, dry heating air)
• Clothing that causes irritation
• Detergent psychological stress (stress, anxiety)
• excessive personal hygiene

Prevent dermatitis in toddlers with these measures

Many parents, who may have suffered from atopic dermatitis at a young age or were confronted with dry skin as a toddler, wonder about preventative measures for their children. This is especially sensible if at least one of the parents is affected or has known allergies. There are certainly some suitable measures to counteract a possible outbreak. Since the disease first appears in infancy or childhood, the focus should be primarily on the period prior to the onset.

To prevent atopic dermatitis in toddlers, mothers are advised to feed their babies exclusively through breastfeeding until at least the fourth month. Breast milk is the ideal nutrition for an infant because it contains all the necessary nutrients. It also acts as a protective barrier against allergies. After the fourth month, complementary foods can be gradually introduced.

It should be a given that parents avoid smoking – not only during pregnancy, but also after birth. Cigarette smoking can cause developmental disorders and increases the risk of atopic dermatitis in young children, as well as various allergies.

Atopic eczema can also be triggered by various foods. This is because young children, in particular, can be sensitive to products such as eggs, nuts, wheat-based foods, milk, or acidic foods such as citrus fruits. If there are already cases of atopic dermatitis in the family, children should be introduced to such foods carefully and gradually. Since stress is also a potential trigger, it should be minimized whenever possible. This can be achieved by parents giving their offspring plenty of attention and soothing them when they are teething, to name just one example.

The right care if your toddler has atopic dermatitis

Parents can do a lot to alleviate the symptoms of their toddler with dermatitis with the right care. It's crucial to continue this treatment even during symptom-free periods—if only to extend these periods as much as possible and counteract dry skin. A moisturizing cream is essential for this. It proves to be the ideal response to rapid moisture loss and strengthens the skin's limited protective barrier.

It's important to pay attention to the correct lipid content. On the one hand, this depends on the condition of the skin. The following rule applies: moist on moist and oil on dry. This means that weeping areas require a lower lipid content, while particularly dry skin requires a higher oil content. Furthermore, the season must be considered: In winter, the protective barrier tends to dry out much more quickly than in spring or summer.

The ideal cream for toddlers with atopic dermatitis contains no allergenic or harmful ingredients. Thanks to its mild and non-irritating properties, it provides gentle skin care. Dermaplan meets precisely this need with its range of products for little ones. Since Lipid Balance 1 contains 15 percent lipids, it is suitable for the warmer months. With 30 percent fats, Dermaplan Lipid Balance 2 is designed for use in the colder season. Parents should ideally apply the cream to their child's skin twice a day – morning and evening. It should be applied immediately after washing.

Whether a toddler is suffering from severe or mild atopic dermatitis, the basic washing recommendations remain the same. As with creams, mild cleansing agents should be used. The product should not place additional strain on the already sensitive skin barrier. A moisturizing effect is also essential. This allows the toddler's dry skin to regenerate while simultaneously moisturizing it. Conventional soaps or shower gels, on the other hand, are completely unsuitable. Dermaplan Shower Gel for Kids is highly recommended.

Bathing is generally not a problem. The prerequisite is that it is kept short and the water temperature is a maximum of 36 degrees. This allows the skin of the toddler with atopic dermatitis to be gently cleansed and prepared for subsequent care. As soon as possible, parents are welcome to shower their offspring. Too frequent and prolonged contact with water could lead to unnecessarily dry skin in the toddler. Finally, one more care tip is aimed at the hands of toddlers with atopic dermatitis: If parents always keep the fingernails short, this can prevent the little one from injuring their already sensitive skin by scratching.

Atopic dermatitis in toddlers: Frequently asked questions

Parents have many questions when it comes to the topic of "toddler dermatitis." This is entirely understandable, as they ultimately want only the best for their children. This includes alleviating the symptoms of this chronic skin condition or even minimizing the risk of an outbreak. In our FAQ section below, we address the most frequently asked questions and provide the corresponding answers.