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Child/ Baby Eczema: Is Moisturising Doing More Harm than Good?

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Child/ Baby eczema rash on feet

It can be truly heartbreaking to see the little one’s soft, delicate skin covered in an angry, blistering child/ baby eczema rash—more so to hear those whimpers and wails from an itch and pain that he/she cannot understand.

Yet understanding is precisely where the journey to successfully managing child/ baby eczema begins: learning about its causes, uncovering the truth behind myths, following expert advice, and focusing on the proper solutions for long-term care.

Why is child/ baby eczema so common?

The sleepless nights and frustration are shared by mums across the country with about 1 in every 5 children* in Singapore having eczema.1

While the cause of child/ baby eczema lies in genes, sensitive skin is also part of it; aggravated by environmental factors that may not be at once identified, such as: weather or sudden changes in air temperature, pet dander, and synthetic clothing. Drool also worsens child/ baby eczema near the mouth; and here’s a tough one: emotional upsets.2

The root cause of child/ baby eczema

That genetic factor (dysfunction) is found in the outermost layer of skin that protects it from harmful elements and keeps moisture locked in.

Dr. Lynn Chiam, Consultant Dermatologist at Children & Adult Skin Hair & Laser Clinic, Medical Advisor for an eczema support group, and Past Head of Paediatric Dermatology at National Skin Centre shares: “Skin barrier is often compromised in eczema-prone skin, leading to recurrent eczema flares as a result of harmful bacteria and irritants entry.”

An answer to child/ baby eczema

While severe cases may require more aggressive treatments, skin restoration is key to managing mild to moderate child/ baby eczema. That’s why moisturising alone isn’t a long-term solution; and thinking that it is, might lead to frustration and experimentation that could further harm your little one’s sensitive skin.

Menthol, along with other essential oils, is a common remedy for child/ baby eczema, but certain types, brands, or concentrations could be harsh or irritate skin. Oat, aloe vera, and lavender are also known soothers, but this focuses only on managing the symptoms of child/ baby eczema, not the condition.

“Eczema is beyond mere symptom relief,” shares Dr. Ker Khor Jia, Consultant Dermatologist at Dermatology & Co Clinic and Past Deputy Head of Immunodermatology at National Skin Centre. “Whilst itch and redness are troubling components of eczema, it is important to pay attention to skin barrier health.”

So, choose your child/ baby eczema moisturiser wisely

Dr. Mark Tang, Senior Consultant Dermatologist at The Skin Specialist & Laser Clinic and Past Head of Eczema and Wound Clinics at National Skin Centre advises that moisturisation is vital; but “it is even more important to choose a moisturiser that has the abilities to repair and restore compromised skin barrier.”

What you put on skin to combat child/ baby eczema is actually about what it lacks. Eczema-prone skin is deficient in ceramides, an essential lipid. Dr. Joyce Lim, Senior Consultant Dermatologist at Joyce Lim Skin & Laser Clinic and Past Division Head of Dermatologic and Laser Surgery at National Skin Centre explains, “Ceramides with lipids and cholesterol in the right ratio has been proven to be important in holding skin cells together as to build a strong protective barrier against eczema flares.”

This optimal ratio for skin repair is core to Ceradan®, the only brand with a 3:1:1 formulation (ceramide: cholesterol: free fatty acids) across its line of products—all suitable for child/ baby eczema treatment/skin care: cleanse, intensive treatment, moisturise, and child essentials for diaper and mosquito protection.

Two studies using a Ceradan® Skin barrier repair cream showed remarkable results:

After 12 weeks of twice daily applications, over 80% of the children in the study, significantly, showed improvement. For almost half of total participants, an eczema relapse was prevented.3

Versus a urea-based eczema cream, Ceradan® had a significantly lower irritation score and the majority of the children preferred it as their daily moisturiser.4

So bring back those smiles today and win against child/ baby eczema by completing your moisturisation regime through restoring your little one’s skin barrier with Ceradan®.

*Note that a 2018 survey5 held across 18 countries showed a range of 2.4% to 19.5% for children under 12 with eczema.

Results may vary.

References:

  1. Olsson, M et al. “The cost of childhood atopic dermatitis in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a cost-of-illness study.” The British journal of dermatology vol. 182,5 (2020): 1245-1252. doi:10.1111/bjd.18442
  2. National Skin Centre. “Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in Young Children.” HealthHub. 23 April 2019. https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/417/skin_disorders_in_young_children_nsc
  3. Koh, Mark Jean-Ann et al. “Comparison of the Simple Patient-Centric Atopic Dermatitis Scoring System PEST with SCORAD in Young Children Using a Ceramide Dominant Therapeutic Moisturizer.” Dermatology and therapy vol. 7,3 (2017): 383-393. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0186-
  4. Ho, Valerie Pui Yoong et al. “Comparing the Potential for Irritation of a Ceramide-Based Moisturizer with a Urea-Based Moisturizer for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis.” Dermatology and therapy vol. 10,4 (2020): 807-813. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00388-6
  5. Silverberg, Jonathan I et al. “Atopic dermatitis in the pediatric population: A cross-sectional, international epidemiologic study.” Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology vol. 126,4 (2021): 417-428.e2. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.12.020

Testimonies

Soothing gel can help calm the skin.

Lennix is super sensitive to mosquito bites not only does it swells up to the size of golf balls but when he scratches it ….
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Joanne

Singapore

Ceradan Hydra moisturiser is able to maintain the hydrated.

Having eczema since I was 2 weeks old at birth, I’ve been on the search for products to keep the eczema under control ….
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Cheryl

Singapore

It’s soap free and safe for all skin types

Honestly though, this 3 are my most used products from @ceradan311sg ? I love using the wash on Shayera & Zayne as ….
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Jane

Singapore

It’s a very gentle and baby-safe product.

We were introduced to Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream by Marc’s paediatric when he started to develop a neck rash from all the sweating, milk and drool ….
Read More

Cheryl

Singapore

It is hypoallergenic and 100% safe for newborn.

My baby is almost 2 months old, for the past weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed by frequent diaper changing and feeding my baby day and night ….
Read More

Adeline

Singapore

Ceramoz will make your life better!

Recommended by a pediatric dermatologist, my 4 YO girl has been using the Ceramoz for more than 2 years now. It is truly the best of both worlds ….
Read More

Alfred

Singapore
  • Lennix is super sensitive to mosquito bites not only does it swells up to the size of golf balls but when he scratches it he gets a bacterial skin infection which either lands him in hospital for IV antibiotics or heavy doses of oral antibiotics.

    So now whenever he gets bitten we immediately apply antiseptic solution and then put a bandaid on it so he wouldn’t be able to scratch.

    However the area around the bite becomes very dry and scabby possibly due to lack of air because we leave the bandaid on until the bite heals? We have been using @ceradan311sg soothing gel to help calm the skin so scratching is minimised to prevent further damage and it’s been working great! We ❤️ it!

  • Having eczema since I was 2 weeks old at birth, I’ve been on the search for products to keep the eczema under control. One thing I found useful before attending this session is that I “drink” moisturisers by the bottle and only came to know Ceradan since Marc was born. What I didn’t know was Ceradan is great for all ages, all skin types, especially dry, sensitive and eczema ones.

    The texture of the Ceradan Hydra moisturiser is very light yet is able to maintain the hydrated feeling for quite a while. And understanding from Dr Lynn that the key issue with eczema skin is to build up the skin’s barrier to minimise inflammation and infection, using a moisturiser with 3:1:1 ceramide dominant ratio is essential.

  • Honestly though, this 3 are my most used products from @ceradan311sg ? I love using the wash on Shayera & Zayne as it puts my mind at ease knowing that it’s soap free and safe for all skin types. As for the diaper cream, I use it on the kids even when there’s no rash to ensure that they’re protected. I used it on myself the other day when I had a minor rash on my hand and it helped! As for Ceramoz, it’s part mosquito repellent and part moisturiser! It’s the kiddos must have when they go over to my in-laws place which is a landed space, so you know how mosquitos love to party inside.?

  • We were introduced to Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream by Marc’s paediatric when he started to develop a neck rash from all the sweating, milk and drool in between his neck folds. And later, when Marc started on his helmet therapy, the orthopaedic suggested using Ceradan Body Wash to help minimise any possibility of heat rashes and keep his skin moisturised.

    Having used Ceradan products on Marc for quite a while now, we do find that it’s a very gentle and baby-safe product. Upon using the Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream, his neck rash was under control very quickly and it’s been very effective even for myself when I have eczema flare ups. Ceradan Regimen, which consists of Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream and Ceradan Body Wash, is suitable for children as young as newborns and it has demonstrated clinically-proven efficacy in a study conducted by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and National Skin Centre in Singapore to prevent 1 in 2 eczema flares in Singapore children.

    Since Marc loves swimming, and the chlorine in the water is very drying for the skin, I highly recommend Ceradan Body Wash to cleanse and maintain his gentle baby skin as hydrated as possible.

  • My baby is almost 2 months old, for the past weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed by frequent diaper changing and feeding my baby day and night. ?‍♀️?? Diaper rash is also every mum’s nightmare so choosing the right diaper cream is so important. Ceradan’s diaper cream is clinically proven and also recommended by KK Children & Women’s Hospital.

    It is hypoallergenic and 100% safe for newborn.

    I’m thankful to be able to try out this diaper cream for my baby with its unique triple protective actions◾Zinc oxide to seal out wetness ◾Octenidine to control yeast overgrowth ◾Contains 3:1:1 ratio of ceramic, cholesterol and free fatty acids to repair skin barrier.

    Thanks for keeping my baby’s skin rash-free!

    Ceradan is available at Watsons, Guardian and Unity stores.

  • Recommended by a pediatric dermatologist, my 4 YO girl has been using the Ceramoz for more than 2 years now. It is truly the best of both worlds, being able to moisturise and protect against mosquito bites at the same time!

    One big problem we had to deal with when my girl started childcare was mosquitoes ?. Doesn’t help when she had eczema and very sensitive skin. One bite on her and the bitten site would swell and become inflamed. Mosquito patches don’t work at all, and kid-friendly insect repellents either don’t work so well, or are too “spicy” – imagine the whines when she accidentally rubs her eyes after applying the repellent. When we were initially introduced to Ceramoz, we were a bit doubtful but later glad to learn that my girl don’t get bitten by mosquitoes that often anymore! (Truth he told, she only gets bitten when she forgets to apply it after her shower in childcare). It has proved its use so much that I use it now even during her non school days, 2+ years and counting!

    If you have a school-going child with eczema conditions, delicate skin, or is simply a mosquito magnet, Ceramoz will make your life better!