When an infant has dry, oversensitive skin, the infant may be diagnosed with baby eczema. The infant’s skin may have flaky patches of peeling skin. The baby eczema often appears on the infant’s face or forehead. The rash may spread or occur on other parts of the body as well.

Cases of baby eczema are often treated with a mild medicated ointment or the use of hypoallergenic moisturizers. If the infant is prone to dry skin or eczema, the use of a hypoallergenic moisturizer should follow each bath unless otherwise directed by a physician. Keeping the skin moisturized can help prevent future outbreaks of baby eczema.

If left untreated, baby eczema can worsen. Baby eczema is often itchy, which makes the infant scratch the area. The scratching can make the area more susceptible to increased frequency of allergic reactions or infection. If an infection occurs, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or an antibiotic ointment.

Infants in families in which have eczema, asthma, or allergies are more likely to develop infant eczema. The baby’s skin may be reacting to soap or laundry detergent. If rashes of baby eczema develop, the parents may want to switch to hypoallergenic detergents and soaps. The cause of the baby eczema often remains a mystery though.

It can be difficult to find a specific allergen that is causing the condition. Most babies with infant eczema will outgrow the condition by the time they are three years old. Some will continue to have eczema flare-ups into adolescence or adulthood.

A general case of baby eczema which can affect any part of the body is a form of atopic dermatitis. There are two other kinds of eczema that can affect infants. Diaper rash, also called nappy rash, is a form of atopic dermatitis. The wet diaper irritates the skin and can cause mild to severe inflammation.

Cradle cap is another form of infant eczema. Cradle cap is a rash that develops on the baby’s scalp. The rash resembles a buildup of dead skin. This condition commonly affects newborns and resolves itself within a few months. People may treat cradle cap with mild shampoo and baby oil. Most cases of cradle cap are mild and cause no further problems. However, if the cradle cap spreads to the forehead or other parts of the body, it is called infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis. If the infant develops infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis, the doctor may prescribe an ointment or skin cream.