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BABY ECZEMA LOOKS DIFFERENT ON EVERY SKIN TONE

Baby with different skin tones showing signs of eczema
Banner with three Aveeno Baby eczema products and a young mother holding her baby at the background.

Eczema Equality Guide

How to identify Eczema on babies with darker skin tones - a guide for newborn parents.

Download the FREE Guide
Text stating ‘balancing the scales of eczema equality’

EVERY BABY DESERVES TO BE COMFORTABLE IN THEIR OWN SKIN

Black children are 1.7x more likely to develop eczema than white children.1 But when parents searched for images of baby eczema, the results were almost all Caucasian skin tones. AVEENO® Baby took action to create eczema representation on every baby’s skin.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF ECZEMA EQUALITY

Your baby deserves representation—whether Black, Brown, Asian or anything in between. Check out how the AVEENO® Baby Eczema Equality initiative came to life.

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You can’t really touch them or even want to play or hug them a certain way because you don’t want to aggravate – it really cuts you to your core.

Black babies are 1.7x more likely to develop eczema than white babies.

I typed in eczema on black skin, eczema on black babies just so I could see you know how it would look on her skin.

But when parents searched online….”baby eczema”

The results were almost all white babies.

I didn’t see a lot of babies who looked like my baby. A lot of the images didn’t look like what was on my child.

Aveeno Baby knew that needed to change.

Because eczema looks different on every skin tone.

To know that I can’t even hold my own baby in my hands to comfort her was heartbreaking.

It’s hard, it’s hard on them and it’s hard on the parents too because you just want your baby to always be okay.

It’s time to change the narrative.

Aveeno Baby presents Eczema Equality

A mission to balance eczema representation.

I think that it’s amazing that big brands like Aveeno Baby are taking the lead and pushing this change and for incorporating all of these unique voices. I’m just thrilled to be a part of it!

Capturing over 1800 images.

Representing eczema on every skin tone.

Creating a resource of inclusive support.

Helping parents help their babies.

I hope it helps other parents embrace their children, their skin and to let them know they’re not alone.

I want Charlotte to be confident in her skin, no matter what her skin looks like.

I want my daughter to be comfortable in her skin.

Yes your skin may look different, but you’re not different - and you matter!

Aveeno Baby Eczema Equality

Every baby deserves to be comfortable in their skin.

Download Transcript

LEARN MORE ABOUT BABY ECZEMA

At AVEENO® Baby, we know eczema can look completely different on every skin tone. So, we created a resource that empowers parents of colour to further their eczema education, talk to their pediatricians, and get the nourishing care their babies deserve.

Sign of eczema of a baby’s lower legs

WHAT IS ECZEMA?

A skin condition that usually appears as an itchy, red patch on the hands, feet, backs of elbows and around knees, ankles and wrists.

Signs of eczema on a baby’s legs

SKIN DISCOLORATION FOR BABIES

A major concern for non-white eczema is the discoloration of skin that can last for months, even after the eczema is treated. It’s important to diagnose and treat eczema early and aggressively.

Signs of eczema on a baby’s wrists and arms

COMMON ECZEMA TRIGGERS FOR BABIES

  • Extreme temperatures

  • Irritants like soaps and detergents

  • Allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander

Eczema signs on a baby’s foot and legs

BABY BATH TIME TIPS

Short daily baths with a mild cleanser can help reduce flare ups and soothe your baby’s skin. Gently pat skin dry — don't rub.

Eczema on a baby’s knees and legs

BLACK ECZEMA

Black children are 30% less likely to see a doctor for their eczema than white children.4

Signs of eczema on a baby’s cheeks

ECZEMA ON FACE

Discovered eczema on your baby’s face? Fear not. It typically appears on the forehead and cheeks.

Signs of eczema on a baby’s face

BABY ECZEMA ON SKIN OF COLOUR

Redness can be a challenge to detect on darker skin tones, making diagnosis more difficult. Patches may appear darker than the rest of the skin, looking purple, ashen grey, or dark brown.

Signs of eczema on a baby’s hands

STOP THE SCRATCH

To prevent your baby from scratching, keep their nails clipped or put on cotton mittens while they sleep.

Signs of eczema around a baby’s mouth and face

LIFE WITH ECZEMA

An estimated one in five Canadians will experience eczema in their lifetime. That means in a class of 30 students, six could have eczema – making it very common!2 Eczema is chronic, meaning that the condition can last for a long time. While there is no cure, there are ways to manage it including soothing skin regimens that can help break the cycle of dry skin.

Eczema signs on a baby’s body

EDUCATION GAP

Physicians have been primarily trained to diagnose eczema on white skin. In fact, less than 5 percent of the images in general medicine textbooks showed conditions on darker skin.3

Eczema on a baby’s chest and arms

MOISTURIZING TIP

Apply moisturizer to your baby's damp skin within 3 minutes after their bath.

Signs of eczema on a baby’s ear

UNDERDIAGNOSED

Eczema in Black babies is the second most frequent skin disease to affect African Americans, but experts believe it may be underdiagnosed.

TREATMENT RESOURCES FOR ECZEMA

A baby taking a bubble bath with AVEENO® Baby Eczema Care product
TREATMENT RESOURCES FOR ECZEMA
The back of a person's neck that shows signs of eczema
ECZEMA IN SKIN OF COLOUR

SOOTHE AND PROTECT WITH THE #1 BABY ECZEMA BRAND

AVEENO® Baby Eczema Care products are formulated with natural colloidal oatmeal for clinically proven relief of eczema symptoms such as itch, dryness, redness and irritation. Hypoallergenic and free of fragrance, parabens, and phthalates – try the #1 pediatrician recommended baby skincare brand to give your little one the comfort they deserve!

*Always read and follow the label.

REFERENCES

1. Eczema in skin of color: What you need to know. National Eczema Association. (2022, April 29). Retrieved from

https://nationaleczema.org/blog/eczema-in-skin-of-color/

2. EczemaHelp. (2022, February 28). Eczema Society of Canada Youth Video series: eczema myths & facts. YouTube. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS2rmdE4ca0

3. Kaundinya T, Kundu RV. Diversity of Skin Images in Medical Texts: Recommendations for Student Advocacy in Medical Education. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2021 Jun 11;8:23821205211025855. doi: 10.1177/23821205211025855. PMID: 34179498; PMCID: PMC8202324.

4. Black Children Less Likely to See Doctor for Eczema Despite Being More Severely Affected. Pennmedicine.org. (2017, September 29). Retrieved from https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2017/september/black-chi...

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