How can atopic dermatitis (eczema) be relieved in infants?

We met with Dr. Yorick BERGER, head pharmacist at Pharmacie F, located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
Every day, he welcomes many parents seeking advice on the health and well-being of their babies and children.

With him, we are discussing a common yet often worrying subject today: atopy in infants, better known as baby eczema.
To better understand this skin condition and the best practices to adopt, we asked him three essential questions.

1/ Dr. BERGER, what is your perspective on atopic skin in babies?

Baby atopy is something we see primarily through the anxiety of mothers who arrive with their babies experiencing skin problems (because things can get worse very quickly, even if they generally get back on track quickly); these mothers need someone to listen, then advice, and above all, appropriate treatment.

Unfortunately, we are subject to several external factors like daily chemical irritants, so in order to support parents, we aim to be a source of advice at the pharmacy.

To do this, we begin by asking about the mother’s and child’s lifestyle habits, then address misconceptions to implement daily routines so that the baby can regain healthy, beautiful, and soft skin.

2/ What advice would you give to a mother whose child suffers from eczema?

The first piece of advice is to eliminate all misconceptions because mothers get a lot of information from social media, people around them, etc., which can be wrong.

Once we have a global idea of the mother’s and baby’s lifestyle habits, we can correct course by providing concrete advice to avoid certain substances that can be irritating or by establishing routines to soothe the baby during an eczema flare-up.

As a pharmacist practicing in Paris, I know that, for example, the water is very hard, which dries out the skin significantly, so one must apply the right products to hydrate it. The room temperature should also be taken into consideration, along with several other daily practices, to develop the right reflexes and better support a baby suffering from atopy.

3/ What are some common misconceptions when a baby's skin gets itchy?

There are indeed many misconceptions, such as wanting to soothe the baby by giving them a hot bath (a very bad idea), turning to natural solutions by using essential oils (to be strictly avoided), or increasing the room temperature because it is very cold (to be avoided), as the baby only needs a comfortable temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. There is also the laundry detergent, which must be chosen carefully by avoiding detergents with poor compositions.

Finally, I would say that it is necessary to adopt the right habits without trying to impose too many restrictive rules on the baby's daily life, so that they can be cared for calmly and naturally.  

Dr. Yorick BERGER, head pharmacist at Pharmacie F, Paris 13

Abd Haq BENGELOUNE, co-founder of Zawadi, explains: 

Appropriate hydration, product choice, bath frequency, a healthy environment... every detail counts toward strengthening the skin barrier and preventing eczema flare-ups.
But beyond care, it is just as important to support the mother (and parents): helping them recognize the signs, relieve guilt, and establish soothing and natural skincare rituals.

At ZAWADI, we believe that kind support and respectful products can transform these sometimes stressful moments into times of gentleness and bonding between parent and child.