What Is Baby Eczema?

Eczema is the name of a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause itching and/or redness. These include seborrheic dermatitis (a.k.a. “cradle cap”), along with contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and the most common type of baby eczema, atopic dermatitis—which frequently makes its appearance anywhere from the first six months of an infant’s life up to 5 years old.³ 

As mentioned, baby eczema is fairly common, affecting up to one-fifth of children worldwide. While some kids can grow out of it, eczema is technically a chronic condition that can last into adulthood, causing dry skin or mild flare-ups unexpectedly for somewhere in between 2-10% of grownups.^3,4   

Baby eczema, or atopic dermatitis, frequently appears on the face and in the folds of skin behind the knees or on the inside of elbows, but it can make an appearance on skin anywhere on the body. While there’s no cure for eczema in babies or adults, it’s not contagious and can be managed in various ways.¹ More on that in a bit!

Common Causes of Baby Eczema

No one can pinpoint exactly why baby eczema occurs, but it’s thought to be somewhat of an allergic response. Kids with atopic dermatitis tend to have overactive immune systems. Not to mention, the word “atopic” quite literally means “allergy.” Baby eczema is also classified within the same group of other allergic conditions, like asthma, hay fever, and food allergies.¹ Keep reading for a more in-depth look at what might cause eczema in babies.

Genetic factors

As with many things, genetics may play a big role. When there’s a family history of eczema, other allergies, or asthma, kids tend to be more prone to developing baby eczema.⁴ Even without a family history, infants may develop baby eczema due to a genetic mutation that occurs before they’re even born. This causes a deficiency in a certain protein (called “filaggrin”) in your little one’s skin that’s key to maintaining a healthy protective barrier. Lack of filaggrin—and the resulting compromised skin barrier—allows moisture to escape while leaving your baby’s skin more vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, and other irritants.^1,2

Environmental triggers

We also live in a world of various environmental triggers for eczema in babies, such as a range of not-so-skin-friendly climates, pollution, and irritants, all of which can cause baby eczema to flare up—especially for kids who live in urban environments.⁴ There are also a multitude of potential triggers for baby eczema that can occur within your own home, like rough fabric or clothing, harsh detergents and soaps, pet dander, dust, and plants, as well as dry air, fragrances, and even your little one’s own sweat.²

Food allergies and triggers

Your infant’s immune system is on a crash course to learn what it can tolerate—and what it can’t— within its first few months. If your child has baby eczema, they may be at a higher risk of developing one of two types of food allergies: those that occur immediately after a baby eats the offending food and the other kind that take a couple of days to surface. The most common food allergy that can trigger eczema in babies is eggs, followed closely by milk. Runners-up also include certain nuts, seeds, and fish.⁵ Of course, if you suspect your little one may have a food allergy, always consult your pediatrician for a valid diagnosis and guidance.

Skin barrier issues

We hinted at this one earlier, but a disrupted or damaged skin barrier is also a big factor when it comes to what causes eczema in babies. This can make your little one’s skin uncomfortably dry, itchy, and sensitive—and cause baby eczema flare-ups that can last for a couple of weeks at a time.²

These symptoms of baby eczema can also leave bumps, flakes, inflammation, and other sorts of irritation in their wake, which may be distressing for both you and your baby. Enter center stage: CeraVe Baby Eczema Relief Cream. Developed with pediatric dermatologists, this gentle, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula instantly calms and soothes your baby’s delicate skin, which is about 30% thinner than your own. Made with three essential ceramides, 1% colloidal oatmeal, vitamin E, and MVE Technology, this baby eczema cream provides immediate, long-lasting, hydrating relief to nourish your child’s skin and leave them with more comfortable, healthier-looking skin. Suitable for the most sensitive skin, it can be used on little tykes as young as 1-month-old.

Signs of Eczema in Babies

Baby eczema can occur anywhere on your infant’s body, but it’s most common on childrens’ faces, scalps, arms, and legs—in those adorable folds of baby fat we love—and feet. Symptoms of eczema in babies typically make their first appearance within the first six months of life. They usually include dry, red, itchy, or scaly skin or look like a bumpy rash.

Baby Eczema vs Acne

Trying to determine if your infant has baby eczema or baby acne may seem difficult at first glance since they both frequently look like a red rash. And to make it even more complicated, they both occur in up to 20% of children.^2,4,6 While you should always leave making the call on which one it is to your pediatrician (after all, it may turn out to be something else entirely), there are a few signs to look for when it comes to baby eczema vs baby acne.

As you’ve likely learned by now, hallmarks of baby eczema are that it can be red, itchy, dry, bumpy, or scaly—and can be anywhere on the body, but most commonly on the face, scalp, arms, legs, and feet.² Hallmarks of baby acne, on the other hand, include whiteheads or red bumps that appear on infant’s cheeks, forehead, and upper back or chest. While it can appear as early as 1-month-old, it’s not a chronic condition like baby eczema, and it usually resolves after a couple of months.⁷

How To Manage Baby Eczema

Unlike its doppelganger, baby acne, baby eczema won't just clear up on its own. It needs some help to address the symptoms. With proper management, the majority of baby eczema cases resolve completely by the age of 4 or 5 or may not as severe by adolescence or adulthood.^2,7 Below, find some tips to help irritating eczema in babies along the way and help provide some relief for your little one in the meantime.

At–home skincare: Keeping your infant’s skin well-moisturized is key to helping to soothe baby eczema, make them more comfortable, and help tamp down on flare-ups.² In addition to the aforementioned CeraVe Baby Eczema Relief Cream—formulated specifically for this purpose—you can also give CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream a try, which has been given the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance. Formulated with three essential ceramides to help maintain your infant’s protective skin barrier. This gentle, all-day moisturizing cream follows recommendations straight from pediatric dermatologists.

Help baby help themselves: Baby eczema can be an itchy ailment, which may mean that your infant scratches themselves—and that can be habit-forming, even for little ones. In addition to keeping their skin moisturized, be sure to keep your baby’s teeny-tiny nails short, and you can consider using a sleepsuit with built-in mittens to deter them. And keep your infant's room cool, around 18° (or 65° F), so they don’t sweat themselves into a flare-up.⁵

In the meantime, help get your kid’s skin back on track with CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment. Another recipient of the NEA Seal of Acceptance, this petroleum-based ointment, with three essential ceramides, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, helps soothe and protect babies’ delicate skin.

Keep their baby bath gentle and brief

When you give your infant a baby bath, only use lukewarm (never hot) water, keep it brief—only between five and 10 minutes long—and use gentle cleansers designed for little ones.²

CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo fits the bill. Soap-free, fragrance-free, and, perhaps, most importantly, tear-free, this dual cleanser and shampoo is enhanced with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to gently lather your little one clean without disrupting their delicate skin barrier. Once your infant is dry, reach for CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion to apply after bathtime, before bedtime, or at any time during the day. Rest assured, both the baby wash/shampoo combo and the lotion are also accepted by the NEA.

Just remember, as with any potential skin condition, if you suspect your child has baby eczema, always consult your pediatrician for a thorough treatment plan. They may want to conduct several tests to accurately diagnose your infant and properly treat flare-ups for as long as baby eczema sticks around.²