It can be really challenging to find the right products for a child who suffers from eczema and sensitive skin. Every child responds differently to treatment options, so it can feel overwhelming to find something that works for your family. We finally have my son’s eczema under control after spending lots of time and money on products and clothing. The good news is that I have a list of my favorite must-have products that I want to share with you!
Moisturizers
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Nighttime Balm – We love to slather this on before bedtime. It has colloidal oatmeal, which is well-known for calming irritated skin.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream – This is my personal favorite. The cream is silky smooth, thick, and long-lasting. I have to admit that I always steal it to use for myself too.
Eczema Honey Gentle Face & Body Lotion Stick – Easy to use and small enough to throw in your diaper bag or purse. It is really gentle. My son is learning some independence by applying this on his own when he is feeling itchy.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream – This was recommended by many of my eczema mom friends and my son’s allergist. Try to stick with the tub version because it tends to be thicker and doesn’t evaporate from the skin as quickly.
Ointments
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment – We used this as a last ditch effort to address eczema on my son’s face, and after a few weeks, it was completely clear. This is magic in a tub!
Bathing
I have found that bathing daily or every other day has helped with washing off environmental allergens that trigger eczema flare-ups, but some children are better to bathe less often during the week. Find what works best for your child. Soap can be irritating and drying, so we do not use it for every bath.
If you’re less of a body wash person, I would recommend Dove’s unscented bar soap or Vanicream’s unscented bar soap.
Bubble Baths & Soaks
Toddlers love bubble baths, and my son is no different. However, most bubble bath solutions are full of fragrances and ingredients that are irritating for sensitive skin. Regular bubble baths leave my son extra dry and itchy. Here are some options that are eczema friendly so your little one can still soak in the suds (keep in mind that not all of these options are tear-free)!
Alaffia Everyday Shea Bubble Bath
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment – When our son had bad flare-ups, we let him play in the bath with this colloidal oatmeal soak to soothe his irritated, itchy skin.
California Baby Super Sensitive Bubble Bath – We love that this one is 100% plant-based!
Clothing
Sometimes we forget to consider clothing. The clothes your child wears can make a huge impact on their day.
The wrong materials and an itchy tag can cause so much discomfort. It’s best to stick to 100% cotton or bamboo materials and avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, rayon, nylon, and spandex. Synthetic fabrics do not allow the skin the breathe and can contain trace chemicals that may find their way through the protective skin barrier causing a flare-up. It is best to avoid clothing with tags or cut them off as close as possible to the fabric. If your child also has issues with seams, you can cover those with strips of silk so it is softer against the skin.
» » » » » » RELATED READ: 5 Ways to Care for Your Child Who Suffers from Eczema « « « « « «
You also want to avoid tight-fitting clothes because they cause our body temperature to rise. Tight clothes prevent body heat from escaping through the neck or arms. Increased body heat can lead to flare-ups. If you are concerned about your child staying warm, just make sure to layer in loose-fitting clothes. My favorite companies are listed.
Goumi – Their footie pajamas are so soft and comfy. They have fold over mittens and the option for open feet when baby is mobile.
Hanna Andersson – They have the softest pajamas in the cutest prints. Not all of their products are made with 100% cotton, so make sure to read the details and care. However, all of their clothing is made from organic, harm-free materials.
Laundry
We are conscious about the soaps we use to bathe, but we also need to consider our laundry detergent too. I recommend rinsing clothes well to get off any soap residue. Many washing machines have a double rinse option. Make sure you’re detergent is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
All Free Clear Laundry Detergent
Honest Company Hypoallergenic Baby Laundry Detergent
Bedtime
Just like clothing, we need to be mindful of the materials our babies are sleeping on. Our son’s allergist recommends 100% cotton sheets. This can be so hard to find because many children’s twin sheets are made with polyester. My son is a dinosaur lover, and these are his favorite sheets that can be found at Target and Pottery Barn Kids.
Glow-in-the-Dark Dino Bones Toddler Sheets from Pottery Barn Kids
Watercolor Dinosaur Twin Sheets from Target
And last, but not least . . .
Stop the itching in its tracks!
When you’ve done it all but your child still cannot stop from itching, consider gloves and sleeves to prevent further damage to the skin that can lead to infection.
Granberg Bamboo Eczema Gloves for Kids
Wrap-E-Soothe Sleeves for Kids
An eczema parent never rests. I hope that you find some of these suggestions and recommendations helpful for your family. Of course, there is not one product, routine, or treatment that works for everyone. If there is something you’ve tried that was successful, please be sure to share with ABQ Mom . . . you never know what desperate parent you might help.
Originally published February 2022.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
