Treating childhood eczema
Newly diagnosed: What parents ask
![Happy baby. Find out if something on your child’s own body could be triggering the eczema.](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/4JEGdjMxQn1YdmFZX150co/01f50c23ce1f0becdcc772fb6647e734/triggers-on-childs-body.jpg?w=450&h=300)
A board-certified pediatric dermatologist answers this question.
![Happy boy](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/5cjjh596suqXIaoXfDm31c/d744f5296870ec7d98267cdb995e579b/boy-thumbs-up.jpg?w=450&h=300)
If your child has eczema, knowing the answer to this question can help you avoid common pitfalls.
![Baby eating. Parents often experiment with food in hopes of curing eczema, but research shows this seldom works.](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/FHM2L9ldmPcKhGKb9ZDfr/b0ca2f28413a074e1b0bd4780bcf6e7d/mom-feeding-baby-with-eczema.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Removing certain foods from your child’s diet can do more harm than good. Find out why.
![Will treating eczema improve my child’s health?](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/5YhFTpFd0IIPpRdlVYPfaT/2767267f83ac52ba7a60e98791aa7700/treating-childhood-eczema.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Yes, treating your child’s eczema has benefits. Here are six.
![Mother holding son](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/5hzGTyAj7ZbSoNeaWJ2OoD/54f3cd451bf1734c803aaf8a84e64274/GettyImages-1153667706.jpg?w=450&h=300)
When a child has eczema, dermatologists often recommend that parents avoid the treatments on this do-not-use list.
![Allergy test](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/6XAU4diT7rUmfsTOklyyY/01b33fd2c746a9176173128bb9f3ad32/allergy-testing.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Not every child who has eczema should have allergy testing. Find out when your child may need it.
How to gain control of your child’s eczema
![Girl with her dermatologist. Following a dermatologist’s treatment plan can help a child feel better.](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/QWg2tRpWPQ0Tl7y1NCKlm/a27ae94e3af6bf45c7b54d0b15793729/girl-with-dermatologist.jpg?w=450&h=300)
A treatment plan includes more than medication, which is only prescribed when needed. See what else a child’s eczema treatment plan includes.
![Baby bathing](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/4YuBSrxCvekwx4W81NqUWC/4d5e7e5f8435962949f3f1a6efb6248b/skin-care-eczema.jpg?w=450&h=300)
To help manage your baby’s symptoms and reduce flare-ups, dermatologists recommend these tips.
![Mom and toddler](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/43Ef9EbmpnZXVIsouqYiiN/d6bf90d1def0b93bd6bcdc8b203238a6/mom-on-rug-with-toddler.jpg?w=450&h=300)
As your child’s eczema waxes and wanes, you treat it differently. This simple solution will help you use the right treatment every time,
![sleeping baby. When eczema is under control, a child can sleep peacefully.](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/7vmmziflCzSLgz8megssYD/bff9fd04260406ae23f3e0c2bebaca86/child-sleeping.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Yes. Find out what you need to know.
![Eczema treatment: Corticosteroids applied to the skin](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/51KJuhwqpuET0kMhoeI4cP/a40ae46de402c093b70f25b022994d93/Eczema-products.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Due to their safety and effectiveness, corticosteroids are commonly used to treat eczema in people of all ages, including young children. This fact sheet highlights what parents often want to know about this treatment.
![Infant treated for eczema](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/e82VPDkJhTIzOcT8yXrEE/b19daf90a176c2d2f58c044acbe842eb/baby-severe-eczema.jpg?w=450&h=300)
When eczema becomes severe, it may seem that nothing will calm your child’s skin. Discover how a dermatologist can help you reclaim control.
![boy and mom and laptop](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/7ypOGUopnp9Nb6DrHfKG1X/9e19461ac05e075002a1421cb13cb273/mom-son-with-laptop.jpg?w=450&h=300)
A treatment plan for childhood eczema often includes skin care, trigger management, and medication. This checklist can help you know when to do what.
![Baby eating](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/4DlD0Kr7C54veXCHT4fZe2/c363bed240cf9e2de68b5df59f8d7cfa/triggers-child-body.jpg?w=450&h=300)
To prevent eczema flare-ups, have you stopped feeding your child certain foods? Here’s why dermatologists seldom recommend this approach.