Although a great deal of research has failed to discover the reason why eczema affects some people and not others it is clear that the immune system is involved. It is widely believed that it is triggered by some external allergen which causes the skin changes typically found on sufferers. With baby eczema, the skin becomes red, flaked and cracked normally on the child's face. Anything up to one fifth of infants in the USA will suffer with this awful skin complaint.

Strangely, this condition is short lived and in most cases it seems to cure itself before the child reaches the age of two. Not every child is so lucky and it can follow them into adulthood when the condition may even become severe. Almost anyone can be affected by this problem at any time in their life but it is babies that are most likely to suffer. Approximately 33 percent of sufferers have had the condition before they were twelve months old and the majority before their fifth birthday.

Baby eczema is easily recognizable because the infant wants to scratch itself owing to the red, scaly skin on their face, arms and legs and is the most common form, known as atopic eczema. Strangely, atopic eczema is also hereditary and often starts when the baby's skin is not moisturized regularly. Washing powder is also known to trigger attacks but fabric conditioners can also have a similar effect. It would also seem that breastfeeding has preventative properties as a link between baby eczema and mothers who wean their babies early has been found.

Some instances of this skin complaint have also been linked to a variety of medical problems which seem to trigger the inflammation. Babies can also be more likely to have a problem if they already suffer from rhinitis, have food allergies or whose mother has an asthma condition. The number of childhood cases where food is responsible for the condition is considerable at almost 30 percent; if a particular food is suspected as the likely cause, that food can then be removed from the diet. However simple this actually is, belies the time it might take to find the food group by trial and error; some of these groups are mentioned below:

<ul> <li>Fish</li> <li>Dairy products, especially milk</li> <li>Products using wheat as an ingredient</li> <li>Food prepared using eggs</li> <li>Foods containing peanuts</li> </ul>

Doctors also know that baby eczema can also be the result of the antibiotics received by the baby at birth. Treating babies requires a little more thought as they cannot tell us what irritates them so only bath them in lukewarm water and use fragrance free, hypoallergenic creams. To ensure they are comfortable they only dressed in natural cotton clothing once they have been bathed. Wearing mittens is one way to stop a baby scratching their inflamed skin, which could lead to infection, or their nails could be kept short. For infants with more serious baby eczema, antihistamine cream may be prescribed which should help stop the itching; steroid creams can also be used for a short period to help heal the skin. One thing is certain; this skin disorder is very common, yet remains a difficult form to control and fully overcome.