Baby eczema and dry skin when the heating goes on

Quick answer: If your baby has eczema, apply a fragrance-free emollient at least twice a day and after every bath, even when the skin improves. Keep baths lukewarm and 5 to 10 minutes long, with an emollient wash instead of soap. Healthy newborn skin needs only plain water for at least the first month. See a GP if you think it's eczema.

What parents need to know

The NHS lists heat and changes in temperature among the things that make atopic eczema worse, along with soap, washing detergent and some fabrics. Once the heating goes on, a baby can move between a warm room and cold air outside several times a day. For a baby whose skin is prone to eczema, that kind of change can set off a flare-up.

The NHS says that in babies and toddlers, eczema is also common on the face. NCT notes it is also common behind the knees, on the elbows and on the neck, and it often starts before the first birthday.

Dry skin or eczema?

Eczema makes skin itchy, dry, cracked, scaly or thickened. The NHS describes how it can look red, or darker or lighter than the surrounding skin, depending on skin tone. It tends to come and go: there are flare-ups, then calmer spells.

A healthy newborn's skin is different. For at least the first month, plain water is enough to clean it, and NCT says moisturisers aren't needed on healthy baby skin. They don't prevent eczema, and they may raise the chance of food allergy and skin infections. If your baby's skin is itchy, rough or flaring, speak to a GP rather than guessing.

A daily emollient routine

Emollients are the main day-to-day treatment for eczema. They leave a film on the skin that holds moisture in, and the NHS says you can't overuse them.

1. Apply often. Put emollient on at least twice a day. The NHS emollients page suggests 3 or 4 times a day is ideal. Carry on even after the skin improves
2. Straight after washing. Apply it as soon as you've patted your baby dry after a bath. This is when skin most needs moisture
3. Smooth, don't rub. Stroke it on gently in the direction the hair grows, which helps stop hair follicles getting blocked
4. Use a clean spoon or a pump dispenser rather than fingers in the pot, to keep the emollient free of germs
5. Protect before meals. Once your baby is eating solids, a layer on the hands and cheeks before meals stops food and drink making them sore
6. Space out other creams. If your baby has been prescribed a steroid cream, leave 20 to 30 minutes between the emollient and the cream, and ask the GP which goes first

Choosing a type

You may need to try a few before finding the one that suits your baby's skin. Some people use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. Don't use aqueous cream, which the NHS no longer recommends because it can irritate skin.

Pharmacies sell emollients without a prescription. Keeping small pots or tubes in the changing bag and anywhere your baby spends time makes it easier to keep up.

Bath time for eczema-prone skin

Allergy UK describes a daily bath as part of eczema care because it rinses off irritants and bacteria. How you bathe makes the difference.

1. Keep the water lukewarm. Hot water dries and irritates skin
2. Keep it short, ideally 5 to 10 minutes
3. Swap soap for emollient. Skip soap, bubble bath, shower gel and shampoo. Mix about a teaspoon of emollient with a little warm water in your palm and spread it over your baby's skin. It won't foam but it still cleans
4. Pat dry with a soft towel, without rubbing
5. Moisturise head to toe. Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser all over straight away
6. Hold on firmly. Emollients make your baby and the bath slippery. A non-slip bath mat helps, and the bath should be cleaned afterwards with hot water and washing-up liquid

Towels, toys and powder

Wash and change towels, clothes and sponges regularly to lower the risk of infection. Avoid bath toys that hold water and can't be emptied or dried, such as squirters, because they can harbour mould. Allergy UK doesn't recommend baby powder or talc.

Clothes, bedding and the warm house

Washing detergent and some fabrics are common irritants. Allergy UK suggests natural fibres and cotton sleepwear. If a particular detergent or garment seems to make things worse, stop using it.

Being hot makes eczema itchier, so the NHS advises keeping cool. In heated rooms, thin layers you can take off are easier to adjust than one thick outfit. Keep your baby's nails short, and anti-scratch mittens can protect the skin from scratching.

Emollients and fire safety

Emollients aren't flammable on the skin. However, the NHS warns that clothing and bedding with emollient on them catch fire more easily. Washing at high temperatures reduces the build-up but doesn't remove it completely. In winter, that means keeping your baby's clothes and bedding away from open fires, candles and other naked flames.

When to see a pharmacist, GP or health visitor

A pharmacist can advise on small patches that are dry and only slightly itchy. See a GP if you think your baby has eczema, or if treatments aren't helping. For severe eczema, the NHS says to talk to a GP, nurse or health visitor, as a stronger treatment such as a steroid cream may be needed. Some children are referred to a skin specialist.

If an emollient makes your baby's skin sting or burn and this doesn't settle after a few days, ask a GP, nurse or pharmacist about switching products.

Frequently asked questions

Should I change my diet if I'm breastfeeding a baby with eczema?

Not unless a doctor tells you to. The NHS advises against changing your diet, or your baby's, without medical advice.

Can my baby catch eczema or pass it on?

No. Atopic eczema isn't contagious. It's more likely if a parent has eczema or a close family member has asthma or hay fever.

Are baby wipes OK on eczema-prone skin?

NCT suggests choosing alcohol-free and fragrance-free wipes where possible, or using cotton wool with plain water. Stop using anything that seems to irritate your baby's skin.

Will my baby grow out of eczema?

There's no cure, but the NHS says symptoms usually improve as children get older, and treatment can keep flare-ups under control in the meantime.