When your child’s skin is red, irritated, and dry, it could be due to eczema. Scott Dattel, MD, FAAP, and the Kansas City Pediatrics team in Kansas City, Missouri, offer expert diagnosis and compassionate treatment for your child’s eczema. The team is a trusted advocate for your child’s long-term health and a trusted partner in developing a plan to treat their skin condition. For an appointment, call or schedule online.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes dry, red, itchy skin. Eczema is the body’s overreaction to specific triggers, which the immune system sees as an attack on the body. It is a common condition that affects about one in every 10 children.
Eczema is a chronic condition, which means it does not have a cure. With proper awareness and avoidance of your child’s triggers, however, it is possible to control their symptoms.
While eczema is not an allergy, children who have eczema often develop allergies, hay fever, or asthma later in life. Before they are teens, about half of all children grow out of eczema.
How a child responds to their triggers is unique to them. Their eczema symptoms may vary over time and may include:
You may see symptoms of eczema on the face, scalp, eyelids, chest, feet, hands, ankles, elbows, and knees.
Because your child’s eczema triggers are unique to them, it may take some time to get to the bottom of what is causing their symptoms. Some common triggers include:
A key factor to long-term management of your child’s eczema is determining their triggers. Keeping a journal and documenting possible triggers when they have symptoms could help you and their practitioner at Kansas City Pediatrics figure out what is causing their flare-ups.
The team of providers at Kansas City Pediatrics works closely with both you and your child to help identify their triggers and make a plan for avoiding them. Prevention is the best, most effective way to keep from experiencing symptoms.
As part of their treatment plan, their practitioner may recommend:
Kansas City Pediatrics supports you and your child as you learn what causes their difficult skin problems and how to avoid them.
For an assessment of your child’s eczema, call or schedule an appointment online with Kansas City Pediatrics.
