Understanding How Infant Eczema Evolves with Age and Steroid Usage

Eczema, a common skin condition in young children, typically appears before age five. Its symptoms and affected areas change as children grow from infancy to early childhood. Recognizing these variations is essential for effective treatment. Usually, in infants under six months, eczema appears on the scalp, face, cheeks, and chin, avoiding the diaper area due to moisture protection.

Between 6 and 12 months, elbows and knees become common sites as crawling increases the chance of scratching. Pus-filled bumps may develop if the rash becomes infected. In toddlers aged 2 to 5, thickened, dry, and scaly skin with deeper lines, called Lichenification, appears mainly in skin creases around knees, elbows, wrists, hands, and ankles, and sometimes near the mouth and eyelids.
Doctors often recommend steroid creams, ointments, or moisturizers to manage eczema. Proper usage, under medical supervision, is generally safe; overuse can thin the skin, but this effect is usually reversible. For severe itching, oral antihistamines may be used occasionally.