Central Heating Keep the house, and especially the bedroom, cool. There is some evidence that the house dust mite can aggravate atopic eczema in children. Keep dust down and, in severe cases, try protective coverings to pillows and bedding. Diet Dietary allergens are not the cause of atopic eczema in children, but rarely egg and milk may aggravate it. If diets are attempted, a dietitian should be involved.
Most children grow out of their food allergies.
Prognosis Fifty percent of eczema has gone by the age of eleven and sixty-five percent of eczema has gone by the age of sixteen. In some patients, whose eczema has disappeared in teens, it may come back in adult life. Careers Children with atopic eczema, even if it disappears by the teens, are more likely to develop primary irritant dermatitis in certain occupations. If the mother herself has had atopy or has another child with atopic eczema, it is advised that she herself should avoid peanuts while pregnant and possibly consider withdrawal of milk and eggs. However, advice on diet will be required to ensure adequate calcium intake.