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By the Peanutbean parent · checked against CDC, NHS and AAP guidance · how we fact-check

Baby eczema: what it looks like, and what actually helps

Last verified: July 13, 2026

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common skin conditions in babies. Up to 1 in 4 children have it at some point (AAP: Eczema in Babies and Children). It cannot be cured, but it can be managed well at home, and most of the time it gets better as your child grows.

What baby eczema looks like

Eczema makes patches of skin dry and itchy. Those patches can look red, or white, purple or grey, or simply lighter or darker than the skin around them, depending on your baby’s skin tone. The skin can also look cracked, scaly or thickened, and sometimes it blisters or bleeds from scratching (NHS: Atopic eczema).

In babies, it often starts on the scalp and face. You will usually see it on the cheeks, the forehead and around the mouth. One helpful clue: eczema does not usually show up in the nappy area, because that skin stays moist (AAP).

It comes and goes. There are times when it gets worse, called flare-ups, and times when it settles down. That pattern is normal, and it is not a sign that you are doing anything wrong.

Why it happens

Eczema is a problem with the skin barrier. Many children with eczema do not have enough of a protein called filaggrin in the outer layer of their skin. That protein helps skin hold in water and keep out germs and irritants. With too little of it, skin dries out easily and is more open to infection (AAP).

Both genes and environment play a part. It tends to run in families, and it often travels with asthma and hay fever, so a close family history of any of those makes it more likely (NHS).

Two things worth saying plainly. Eczema is not contagious, so your baby cannot catch it or pass it on. And foods do not cause it. Some babies with eczema also have food allergies, but the food is not what started the eczema (AAP).

The daily routine that keeps flares down

Most of managing eczema is done at home, and it comes down to keeping the skin soft and protected. The single most important habit is moisturising, and doing it often.

Use an emollient, which is a moisturising cream, ointment or gel, and apply it at least twice a day. Keep going even when the eczema looks better, because the goal is to stop the next flare, not just treat the current one (NHS). The creamier the better. Ointments like plain petroleum jelly and thick fragrance-free creams work better than thin lotions (AAP: How to Treat and Control Eczema Rashes).

Baths help when you use them right. A short bath, 5 to 10 minutes in lukewarm water every day or every other day, is fine. Skip soap and bubble bath, or use a gentle fragrance-free non-soap cleanser only where it is needed. Then pat the skin dry and put moisturiser on the whole body while the skin is still damp, which locks the water in (AAP).

A few more small things that add up:

• Keep your baby cool. Being hot makes eczema more itchy.
• Dress them in soft fabrics like 100 percent cotton, and wash clothes in a mild fragrance-free detergent. Skip fabric softener.
• Keep nails short, and use anti-scratch mittens on babies, since scratching damages the skin and can lead to infection.
• If the skin is itchy, rub it gently with a finger instead of scratching.
• Do not use aqueous cream, which can irritate eczema and make it worse.

One safety note that is easy to miss. Emollients are not flammable on the skin, but once they soak into fabric like clothing, bedding or dressings, that fabric can catch fire more easily. Keep your baby away from naked flames, and do not smoke near them (NHS).

About steroid creams

Many parents feel nervous about steroid creams, so it is worth being clear. Topical steroids, also called topical corticosteroids, are applied to the skin to calm an inflamed flare. The AAP describes them as very effective and safe when used as directed, usually twice a day while the rash is flaring (AAP). They come in different strengths, and your doctor will match one to your baby’s skin and the area being treated. You still moisturise alongside them. For milder eczema, a pharmacist can advise; if it is more severe or not improving, see a GP (NHS).

When to see a doctor

See a GP if your baby has signs of eczema, or if the treatments you are using are not helping (NHS).

The thing to watch for at home is infection. Eczema-prone skin gets infected more easily, and an infected flare needs treatment such as antibiotics.

The NHS flags one more combination. If the eczema looks infected and your baby also has a high temperature or seems generally unwell, get help the same way, because it can be a sign of a more serious skin infection called eczema herpeticum (NHS). The AAP adds the everyday version of the same rule: talk to your doctor about oozing, crusting, pus bumps or blisters, or a rash that is not getting better with your usual routine (AAP).

One last reassurance. Do not change your baby’s diet, or your own if you are breastfeeding, unless a doctor tells you to. And your own worry is always reason enough to ask. If something about your baby’s skin does not feel right to you, that is a good enough reason to call.

Keep reading

• How much sleep does a baby actually need?
• Nappy rash: what helps, and when to call
• Newborn skin: baby acne, milk spots and birthmarks
• How often should you bathe a baby?
• Starting solid food: the real rules
• Baby fever: when to worry
• All the first-year windows

Sources

• NHS: Atopic eczema (page last reviewed September 2024)
• AAP: Eczema in Babies and Children (last updated May 2025)
• AAP: How to Treat and Control Eczema Rashes in Children (last updated May 2025)

Peanutbean provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace. Always talk to your pediatrician about your child’s health.