BABY ECZEMA LOOKS DIFFERENT ON EVERY SKIN TONE

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

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

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.

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.

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

• Extreme temperatures

• Irritants like soaps and detergents

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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