In Germany, one in four toddlers is affected by atopic dermatitis, making it the most common chronic skin disease in childhood. This raises questions and uncertainties for many parents. We have compiled the most important information for all parents whose children suffer from atopic dermatitis.
But the good news first: Children with severe neurodermatitis often have fewer or no symptoms as they get older.
Contents:
1. What does neurodermatitis look like in children?
2. The symptoms of neurodermatitis in children
3. What aggravates neurodermatitis in children?
4. What to do about atopic dermatitis in children?
5. Which cream helps with neurodermatitis in children?
What does neurodermatitis look like in children?
In addition to the first symptom of neurodermatitis, cradle cap , dry skin with itchy, flaky and reddened areas usually occurs. In childhood, the elbows, backs of the knees, neck and throat are typically affected. Particularly after a long period of time, the skin of a child with neurodermatitis appears uneven and slightly thickened. In addition, the affected children usually experience a phased progression of the disease: there is a constant alternation of flare-up-free and acute phases - the so-called itch-scratch cycle.
The symptoms of neurodermatitis in children
We have summarized the symptoms of neurodermatitis in children for you:
- Cradle cap already in infancy (not to be confused with cradle cap ). This causes yellowish scales and crusts on the baby's scalp.
- Generally dry skin, which becomes red and flaky, especially in acute phases.
- Weeping skin patches, usually followed by crusting.
- Tormenting itching of the little ones!
Caution: There are similar skin diseases, especially in childhood. Therefore, we always recommend clarifying the symptoms with a doctor!
What aggravates neurodermatitis in children?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to say with any certainty what the exact cause of neurodermatitis is. It is always a combination of genetic and immunological factors. Nevertheless, there are possible trigger factors that can particularly cause neurodermatitis in children. These can be divided into three main areas:
- A disturbed barrier function of the skin
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental influences, such as dry heating air, stress, a new hair dryer or even the wool blanket on the sofa.
What to do about atopic dermatitis in children?
First of all: You can do something for your child's neurodermatitis! And it will not only feel good for your child, but also for you.
As mentioned above, you should definitely have the symptoms checked by a doctor. This is the only way to be sure whether your child actually has atopic dermatitis. We have also collected a few tips for you on how you can support your child:
1st tip : Keep a symptom diary. This way you can identify possible trigger factors and counteract them.
2nd tip: Test out which diet is good for your child and has a positive effect on their skin. There may be foods that your child cannot tolerate and that promote atopic dermatitis. Most people with atopic dermatitis cannot tolerate citrus fruits, wheat and cow's milk products.
3.Tip: Dress your child in as few irritating fabrics as possible. Clothes that contain wool irritate your child's skin even more and encourage itching and reddened skin. So opt for loose clothing made of smooth cotton or silk. These materials ensure a comfortable fit. Also avoid detergents that contain perfume.
4.Tip: It is difficult to stop your child from scratching - especially when they are sleeping. Our tip is to always keep your child's fingernails short so that the skin is only irritated to a minimum.
5th tip: You should also think about yourself. We know that parents whose children suffer from atopic dermatitis are under enormous pressure. You just want to do everything right. :) But your relaxation can also be passed on to your child. So: take some time out and do something good for yourself.
6.Tip: Make sure you use the right basic care . The skin barrier of your child with neurodermatitis is weakened and therefore needs a lot of moisture. Integrate basic care into your daily care routine - this will give the whole family support and a rhythm.
Which cream helps with neurodermatitis in children?
At this point we recommend the right basic care, such as our med basic cream . With its clean, reduced formula, the cream is ideal for caring for very dry, itchy skin, such as that caused by neurodermatitis. For more cuddly days without an itch!Just give it a try. We have a med sample package with which you can test our med base cream and our med balm. In our last customer survey ( September 2024 with 247 customers) With regular use, 97% of children with neurodermatitis reported less dry skin. We think that's great!
