This is usually a reaction to a specific substance such as the nickel in jewellery. However, the allergic reaction may spread to affect other areas of skin. Eczema can be extremely distressing in babies and young children because they find it very difficult not to scratch, which can lead to infections. The treatment of eczema depends on how serious it is. If your baby has a mild case of contact eczema, you may simply be advised to use a short course of a low-strength steroid cream.
Atopic eczema is dealt with in two ways.
It is known that dryness of the skin makes it worse and so preventing flare-ups by moisturising the skin is crucial. There are a huge variety of moisturisers or emollients available and you may have to try several to find the one that suits your child best. These are available as creams, ointments, lotions and bath additives. You may have to use large quantities on a regular basis and your doctor may consider issuing repeat prescriptions once you know which one works best. Secondly, some doctors will recommend that babies with atopic eczema use steroid creams from time to time.