Despite billions of dollars spent on research worldwide, medical science is still unclear about the origins of eczema. Typically, this skin condition is the result of an external substance which causes the problem. Often with baby eczema, the condition results in a rash that gets increasingly worse if not treated until the skin becomes cracked. In babies, the disorder unfortunately affects between ten and twenty percent of all infants in the United States.

Despite the problems it causes the child and parents, this is only a problem for a couple of years as it has normally disappeared before the child reaches two. Unfortunately in a few children do not get over this problem and continue to suffer with it when they are adults. Although this skin disorder can affect someone at any stage in their life, it is most prevalent in infants. Although statistics vary, almost all sufferers will have experienced bouts of this condition since their fifth birthday but almost one third before they were a year old.

Atopic eczema is the type most often found in baby eczema, where the child suffers with an itchy rash that is more often located on the arms, legs, face and head. Whilst atopic eczema is often found in family groups, a child can often have this condition flare up when their skin has not been kept moisturized. Washing powder is also known to trigger attacks but fabric conditioners can also have a similar effect. Some medical research into baby eczema has found a link to mothers who cease breastfeeding their baby's early so continuing this practice for a longer period may help ease the condition.

Some instances of this skin complaint have also been linked to a variety of medical problems which seem to trigger the inflammation. It has also been found that if the baby's mother has asthma, they are more prone to suffer with this condition but other contributing elements include food allergies and allergic rhinitis. Specialists in food allergies believe that up to 3 cases in ten of childhood cases are because the child has a food allergy; once the foodstuff causing the problem is discovered, it is just a simple matter of taking out of the child's meals. Although the process of diagnosing which food is responsible is often a case of trial an error, there are some that are often found as the cause including:

• Fish
• Cream and other milk products
• Foods containing wheat
• Eggs
• Meals or foodstuffs where peanuts have been used in the preparation

Mothers can also have children that suffer with baby eczema when the infant receives antibiotics soon after birth. Infants, in particular babies with the condition need to be washed gently in lukewarm water using proprietary lubricating creams. Once out of the bath they need to be dried off carefully and then clothed in a soft natural cotton fabric which should prevent irritation. Baby's often scratch themselves so keeping their nails short is the way to prevent inflamed skin becoming infected from scratching. For infants with more serious baby eczema, antihistamine cream may be prescribed which should help stop the itching; the application of a steroid cream for a limited time to help heal the skin quicker may also be used. One thing is certain; this skin disorder is very common, yet remains a difficult form to control and fully overcome.