Topical Steroids For Baby Eczema

Topical steroids are classified by their strength or potency which ranges from super potent class 1 to least potent class 7.

Topical steroids for baby eczema.

Topical corticosteroids are used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin other than those arising from an infection particularly eczema contact dermatitis insect stings and eczema of scabies. The ointment form is much more potent than the cream and should never be applied to more than 20 of the total body surface area. Topical steroids also known as topical corticosteroids are immunosuppressant creams and ointments that are used to treat inflammation flare ups in eczema. If your skin is tender warm or hot to the touch and swollen it may be infected.

Corticosteroids suppress the inflammatory reaction during use. Topical steroids are effective in helping to heal cracked and broken skin from eczema. In mild forms the skin is dry hot and itchy whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken raw and bleeding. Babies and very young children are at risk of absorbing topically applied corticosteroids into the bloodstream especially when these medications are very potent applied in large quantities too frequently used for prolonged periods of time or used inappropriately under a diaper or other covered occluded area.

In highly severe cases steroids can be prescribed orally but we will focus on topical steroids for eczema today. Medium to high potency topical corticosteroids are effective for atopic dermatitis and eczema in adults and children 9 10 as well as for phimosis 11 12 i e foreskin that cannot be retracted. Eczema or dermatitis as it is sometimes called is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups the severity of the disease can vary. The most mild on a scale of 1 to 7 is a hydrocortisone.

Do topical steroids stunt child development. If you suspect an infection make an appointment with your health care provider for further evaluation. Elocon is approved for children as young as 2 years of age and used once daily. Elocon mometasone furoate is a potent topical steroid available by prescription that is used to treat eczema and psoriasis.

The topical steroids are the ones your pediatrician will prescribe to your infant first.