Eczema in infants Pictures - 15 Photos & Images

Eczema usually appears in the first six months to five years of a child’s life. While there are a few different types of eczema that your infant or toddler can develop, the most common form is called atopic dermatitis (AD).

Eczema looks and acts differently in infants and toddlers than it does in older children. The location and appearance of eczema changes as they grow, so it’s important to know what to look for during every stage of your infant or toddler’s life.

Babies (first six months)

Eczema usually appears on the face, cheeks, chin, forehead and scalp. It can also spread to other areas of the body, but not usually in the diaper area, where moisture protects the skin. The skin at this stage also tends to look more red and “weepy.”

Babies (six to 12 months)

At this stage, eczema often appears on your baby’s elbows and knees — places that are easy to scratch or rub as they’re crawling. If the eczema becomes infected, it may form a yellow crust, or very small, “pus bumps” on the skin.

Toddlers (two to five years)

Around the age of two, your toddler’s eczema is more likely to appear in the creases of the elbows and knees, or on their wrists, ankles and hands. It may also appear on the skin around your toddler’s mouth and the eyelids. Your toddler's skin may start to look dry and scaly at this stage and become thick with deeper lines — this is called “lichenification.”

Older children (five years +)

Eczema usually appears in the folds of the elbows and/or knees. Sometimes, it’s only on a child’s hands — at least 70% of people have had hand eczema at some time in their life. Redness and itchy patches behind your child’s ears, on their feet or scalp, may also be a sign of AD. But these could also be symptoms of another condition, like seborrheic dermatitis, which can exist with eczema. See your doctor to identify what kind of condition your child has and determine the best course of treatment.