Children's skin is incredibly sensitive. From the moment they are born, their skin is exposed to environmental factors for the first time. It is not uncommon for newborn babies to have dry skin, baby acne and other rashes that can cause some discomfort. It's no wonder many moms search for products to protect baby's skin. As the baby grows, their skin becomes more resilient to the world around them.
However, this is not how it works for every child, and there are instances when children can continue to suffer with skin conditions as they age. These can range from mild rashes to more severe reactions that can leave children itchy and in some pretty serious discomfort.
Eczema is one of those skin conditions that can be found in a lot of children. Some infants suffer from it terribly, and this continues as they get older. Some parents are told that their child will “grow out of it,” but parents often want to know when and how this will resolve. It is important that we take a look at this skin condition in children, and what studies are saying will happen as they age.
What Is Eczema?
Before we look at anything regarding duration of symptoms, it is important that we refresh our knowledge on what eczema is in children, and how it presents. According to Cincinnati Children’s, children with this skin condition are most likely to develop red, dry and itchy patches on their skin that is a direct result of inflammation. This can be severe and constant, and when they scratch their skin, it is also more likely to lead to infections and sores.
It is often found on the inside of their elbows and knees, and that is because eczema is most irritated by sweating, heat and rough clothing. While the exact causes of eczema are vague, parents want to know if this is something their children will have to deal with their whole lives, or if there will be some relief as they age.
What The Science Says
Studies are always being done when it comes to the health of children, and they are important for the advancement of treatments and cures. According to Medical Xpress, a study has been done that has found that mild eczema in the first grade is likely to resolve itself by the sixth grade, and this could be good news for parents everywhere.
This study was published in the Journal of Dermatology, and it can be read in full here. The study looked at the ability to predict eczema in children who were 11 years old, by looking at their cases when they were 6 years old.
What the researchers found was that of the 87 children they studied who had mild eczema, more than half were in “remission” by the time they reached the sixth grade. They found that if a child had severe symptoms of the skin disease, they were more likely to continue to have it in the sixth grade, and beyond. This study can help parents and medical professionals plan for treatment, and make sure children have the care they need.
Sources: Cincinnati Children’s, Medical Xpress, Wiley Online Library