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. Something external must trigger the allergic reaction that leads to the symptoms that we all recognize in this skin complaint. Often with baby eczema, the condition results in a rash that gets increasingly worse if not treated until the skin becomes cracked. In the United Sates of America, up to one in every five infants will be affected by this skin condition.

Fortunately, most of these cases of have cleared up before the child reaches two years old. Not every child is so lucky and it can follow them into adulthood when the condition may even become severe. Although many believe the condition only starts in childhood, this is only partially true; it is just more common in babies and infants. Although most sufferers have had this condition since they were five years old around a third contracted it before they were barely twelve months of age.

Baby eczema is most likely to be most common type (atopic eczema) and is normally found on the arms, legs, face and scalp as a red rash that itches and has a scaly appearance. Atopic eczema often runs in families, and can be triggered when a baby's skin isn't moisturized properly. Detergents can also trigger the condition in babies but so can fabric conditioners as well. In some instances it would seem that breastfeeding seems to protect the child from baby eczema as opposed to those mothers who stop this practice prematurely.

Respiratory conditions can also trigger attacks but other medical complaints may also cause this too. 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; discovering the foodstuffs responsible should be a relatively simple matter, which once this is done, can be removed from the diet completely. Removing the guilty foods comes down to trial and error although there are some common foodstuffs that should be looked at first including:

<ul> <li>Fish</li> <li>Products with milk as an ingredient</li> <li>Products using wheat as an ingredient</li> <li>Any type meal prepared using eggs</li> <li>Foods where peanut oil may have been used</li> </ul>

In some instances, baby eczema is the result of antibiotics being prescribed for the child when they are born. Bathing a baby with this complaint requires care as their skin is so sensitive which means the water must be at a comfortable temperature using creams that will not irritate their skin. Once they have dried, they need to be dressed in soft natural clothing made from cotton. A baby's nails should be kept short or covered with mittens to prevent itchy skin from becoming further damaged or infected from excessive scratching. For more sever cases of baby eczema, the pediatrician may suggest the use of antihistamines which can help relieve itching; some situations warrant the use of topical steroid creams but these cannot be used for extended periods. One thing is certain; this skin disorder is very common, yet remains a difficult form to control and fully overcome.