Vocabulary

Flare-up – a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease.

Soothe – reduce pain or discomfort in (a part of the body).
Overreaction – a more emotional or forcible response than is justified.
Outermost – furthest from the centre.
Compromise – the expedient acceptance of standards that are lower than is desirable.
Patch testing – a test to discover whether a person is allergic to any of a range of substances which
are applied to the skin in light scratches or under a plaster.

INFANTILE ECZEMA

Eczema is an umbrella term for several skin

conditions that cause areas to become red, itchy, and
inflamed. Eczema in young children is usually the type
called atopic dermatitis.
In infants (under the age of 12 months), eczema
usually affects cheeks, scalp, torso, extremities.
Older children and adults typically have more flare-
ups on their hands and feet, though knees and elbows
are also quite common. Eczema is very itchy and
uncomfortable. The discomfort can interfere with quality of life, interrupting sleep and daily
activities.
Eczema results from an overreaction of the immune system. There isn’t one exact known
cause. Instead, doctors believe that many different things can lead to it and that it’s most likely a
combination of genetic and environmental factors (such as living with a pet).
Babies with a family history of asthma, allergies, or eczema itself are more likely to
develop it. Theories about the causes and triggers of eczema include various allergens, bacteria,
and even genetic variations and mutations.
Between 20-30% of people with eczema have a genetic variation that compromises the
outermost layer of the skin. This makes it harder for the skin to retain moisture and to keep out
foreign substances. This is just one of many genes likely involved in eczema.
Diagnosis. No lab test is needed to identify atopic dermatitis (eczema). Your doctor will
likely make a diagnosis by examining your skin and reviewing your medical history. He or she
may also use patch testing or other tests to rule out other skin diseases or identify conditions that
accompany your eczema.
If you suspect a certain food caused your child's rash, tell the doctor and ask about
identifying potential food allergies.
Treatment goals. The four main goals to treating eczema are:
 1. Maintenance skin care. This is the most important, as it can help repair and maintain a
healthy skin barrier, as well as potentially prevent future flare-ups.
2. Anti-inflammatory skin medications. These help reduce the inflammatory response
during a flare-up. (They may not always be appropriate or necessary for babies.)
3. Itch control. Scratching generally increases the severity of the itch.
4. Managing triggers. Avoiding or managing triggers helps reduce flare-ups.
Keeping the skin moist helps to soothe the symptoms of atopic eczema. Some people use wet
cloths or bandages on areas of dry and irritated skin. Using soaps or bath preparations which
contain moisturizers or oils can be helpful in soothing the skin and protecting against irritating
substances. Steroid creams are often used to treat flares of eczema. Antihistamine tablets can also
be helpful to reduce itchiness.
Prevention. Identifying and avoiding triggers that cause symptoms to get worse can help in
preventing episodes of atopic dermatitis.

I. Watch the video: Baby Eczema | Parents - YouTube

II. Summarize the information from the text and the video in the following table:

Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment

Family history Eczema is very Phisical examination Keeping them well
Asthma itch,red imflamed and Blood test moisturized by using
Food allergy uncomfortable. The lucbricants, creams
SEasinal allergy discomfort can To avoid soaps and
Living with a pet interfere with quality detergents that are
Bacteria of life, interrupting harsher on skin
Various allergens sleep and daily Oils
Reactions of immune activities. Over 2 years of agae
system v Older children and antihistamines are
adults typically have given
more flare-ups on
their hands and feet,
though knees and
elbows

III. True/ False:

1) Eczema is an uncommon skin condition. false
2) The other name of eczema is atopic dermatitis.true
3) Flare-ups of eczema can be caused just by any fragranced product including cosmetics,
soaps, and detergents.
4) Eczema is not contagious. You can’t “catch it” from someone else.
 5) The doctor makes the diagnosis by physical examination.
6) In infants, the itchy rash can lead to an oozing, crusting condition, mainly on the face and scalp.

IV. Match the questions with the adequate answers:

A. What is the non-pharmacological intervention?6 1. Long term use of corticosteroids can

cause thinning of the skin and
B. What is the three step treatment for atopic eczema? precipitate acne.

C. What age is atopic eczema present?5 2. Corticosteroids should only be used

for flares ups and not on a long term
D. What is the pharmaceutical intervention?4 basis.

E. How many children are symptom free and by 3. 60% of children are symptom free by
when? the age of 16.

F. What does long term cortiosteroids cause? 4. Pharmaceutical Intervention:

Emollient Corticosteroids.
G. When should coritosteroids be used in atopic
eczema? 5. The age on onset is usually under 5
years.

6. Non pharmaceutical intervention:

This is not always practical as the
cause might be unknown.
Aggravated by extremes in
temperature, bubble bath, foods,
inhaled allergens and stress.

7. Three step treatment. Avoid the

irritant. Manage the itch.
Maintain skin integrity

V. Fill in the gaps:

When the infant begins _to crawl_taraie_____, usually between Bumps
6 and 12 months, eczema will typically __affect_ the elbows and Mouth
knees, which rub on the ground. The eczema rash can become infected, Affect
resulting in a yellowish __crust__ or tiny _bumps_ of pus. Crust
Inside
To crawl
Rash
 When the child is around age 2, eczema may begin to appear on the _inside __ of the elbows
and behind the knees, as well as on the wrists, ankles, and hands. It may also appear around the
_mouth__ and eyelids.

VI. Read the sentences and make up questions:

1) ___________________________________________________________?
While frequently worse in the winter, air conditioning used in the summer months also
makes babies susceptible to eczema flares as it dries out the skin. Sweating and chlorine from
pools can also be triggers.
2) _______________________________________________________?
Babies are pre-disposed to eczema because their skin barrier is more fragile than an
adult’s, leading to dry skin as a consequence of a high water loss and an enhanced
penetration of irritants and allergens into the skin.
3) _______________________________________________________?
Eczema in babies presents in two main ways. First, a baby may seem fussy or irritable for
no reason or constantly rubbing his or her cheeks or body on surfaces to get rid of the itch.
Second, a baby may have dry, flaky skin that can be either skin tone or appear pink or red. 
4) ______________________________________________________?
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and Vitamin D may decrease eczema in breastfed
babies. 
5) _____________________________________________________?
Parents should look for thicker creams because they create a better barrier on an infant’s skin
and therefore decreases the itch and skin breakdown.

VII. Identify the pairs of synonyms in the following list:

To get rid of- to remove,, failure breakdown,, result, consequence, increase- to enhance,
upset- fussy, barrier-fence, reduce -decrease, susceptible - easily sensitive, fragile- brittle,
VIII. Name the symptoms of eczema:
1. 2. 3.
_________________________ _____________rash__________
_____________________