Page 46 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)

THE BIG TCH
I

Leung, head of Pediatric Allergy & Clinical or nappy changing, to make it easier to
Immunology at National Jewish Health. become part of your routine rather than just
‘Restoring the skin barrier as soon as eczema another thing to remember.’
develops is the best way to stop the atopic In addition to applying moisturisers, give
march in its tracks and prevent allergic some consideration to bathtime. Young
diseases from developing.’ children with dry skin and eczema don’t need
A new trial is currently taking place at to be bathed every day, but if you like to make
the University of Melbourne, Australia, on the bath a part of your bedtime routine, you
babies who are three weeks or younger whose still can. ‘Your child can have a bath every
parents or siblings suffer from either
eczema, asthma or food allergies.
Researchers are testing if the
application of a barrier cream that Try this!
contains the major building blocks Replacedrying soap with
of skin can help to build the OdyliqueBabyGentle Wash &
infant’s skin barrier and prevent Shampoo. It’s a natural formula of
allergens penetrating their skin soothing aloe vera juice, calming
to cause sensitisation. An chamomile and extra-virgin olive oil, to
earlier phase of the research, moisturise and protect the skin’s natural
which was conducted on 80 barrier. The formula is pH balanced
babies, showed a promising to match that of the skin, too.
reduction in the Suitable from three months.
rate of eczema, so it’s hoped
that the results will be replicated £11.50, odylique.co.uk
on a larger scale.

PREVENT, TREAT AND SOOTHE
‘To help prevent eczema, moisturise,
moisturise, moisturise,’ says Jennifer.
‘Maintaining the skin barrier by applying
lots of emollient is the mainstay of any
eczema treatment plan. Hydrate your baby’s
skin regularly – thicker ointments are better,
particularly during the winter months
when the combination of cold weather, dry
air and central heating can all make eczema
worse. Then lighter creams can be used in
spring and summer months.’
If you’ve got a wriggly toddler or a baby
whose skin is sore, applying moisturisers daily
is no mean feat, especially as areas of broken
skin can sting and cause discomfort when
cream is first applied. ‘Sometimes applying
cream can become a battleground,’
acknowledges Jess. ‘Choosing one that’s
comfortable for your child is really
important. Cream can feel cold
when it’s first applied, too, and Try this!
though this can be soothing to Forarich,nourishing
some children with eczema, ointment, try Epaderm Junior. It’s
younger children tend not to free from fragrance, colouring and
like it, so warming up cream to SLS (which can be drying), developed
skin temperature in your hands by dermatologists, and frequently
before applying it can help. recommended by doctors. It can be
Incorporating massage with applied directly to skin, but can also
the emollient as a wind-down be used in the bath or as a cleanser,
routine before bed can also making it a great all-rounder.
be soothing.
‘Morning application can be £6.99, superdrug.com
trickier due to our busy lives, so
keep an emollient handy and link it
to another activity, such as tooth brushing

44 | Mar ch 2020 | mothe ra ndbaby.co.uk