Eczema is a common skin condition that can affect anyone, from newborns to adults over 50. It causes the skin to become dry, itchy and flakey leaving us feeling uncomfortable and affecting our daily life. Eczema can often be difficult to deal with, especially when trying to find the right skincare product to help manage the symptoms and prevent it from getting worse. 

Let’s find out more about eczema; what it is; how it affects different age groups, and how sebamed can help to soothe and protect sensitive skin across all ages.

What is eczema?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, cracked and inflamed. It’s a skin condition that can flare up from time-to-time, causing red and irritated skin that can often be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Whilst eczema is more common in early childhood, it can affect anyone at any age. The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is uncertain, but it’s believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Eczema usually occurs in people who get ‘allergies’ - it can run in families and usually develops alongside other conditions, such as asthma or hay fever. Environmental factors are known to trigger flare-ups, such as harsh soaps, cold and dry weather, stress and allergies. 

People with eczema are known to have very sensitive skin and a weakened skin barrier. This means the skin doesn’t hold moisture very well and is less able to protect against irritants and germs - leading to itching, dryness and inflammation. Managing the symptoms of atopic dermatitis involves avoiding triggers, using gentle skincare products to help protect the skin barrier and keeping the skin well-moisturised to help protect and soothe it.  

Eczema in Different Age Groups

Eczema in babies

Eczema in babies, also known as infantile atopic dermatitis usually shows up between 2-6 months. Symptoms include red, itchy patches of skin that can become dry, scaly, cracked or oozing. These patches often appear on the face, scalp, cheeks and behind the ears, but can also show up on other areas of the body. 

When babies have eczema, the pH balance of their skin changes, moving from a healthy 5.5 pH to a more alkaline pH (over 5.5) which causes the skin barrier to break down, leading to inflammation and the risk of bacteria entering the skin barrier. Maintaining the pH level is important to protect babies skin from irritants and allergens. 

Managing eczema in babies can sometimes be difficult as the skin is delicate and more sensitive to products. Therefore, it’s important to use gentle, hypoallergenic skincare products that help soothe and protect the skin, whilst regular moisturising with pH formulated products can help to maintain the skin’s barrier function. 

How sebamed can help

Sebamed’s baby range is specially formulated to provide gentle and soothing care for delicate and sensitive skin. Our baby range won the Bambini Baby Awards 2024 for the best brand for a new baby - so you know your baby's skincare is in safe hands.

Keep your baby's delicate scalp healthy with baby sebamed shampoo - formulated with calming chamomile, known for its soothing properties on the skin.

Our sebamed diaper rash cream provides relief for nappy rash and sensitive skin. Formulated with wheat bran to help soothe and reduce irritation whilst panthenol helps to stimulate the healing process. 

Our sebamed baby body lotion is perfect for adding extra moisture into the skin, especially around areas such as cheeks, scalp, hands or the nappy area. Formulated with soothing chamomile to help calm and protect against sensitive skin, and allantoin which has anti-inflammatory properties that reduces redness and irritation. 

To see our full baby and children range… click here 

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Eczema in children 

As children grow older, eczema can show up in specific areas, such as the creases of the elbows or knees as well as wrists, ankles and neck. As the skin can feel really itchy, children are often tempted to scratch it, especially at night time which can make it worse and keep them awake. Atopic dermatitis causes the skin to become damaged and dry, which can cause the skin to crack and bleed at various times. Children can feel self-conscious about their eczema especially if they need to apply daily cream or if they’re suffering with a flare up. 

Just like in babies, eczema alters the skin’s pH balance, changing from a healthy 5.5, to a more alkaline level. This change can weaken the skin barrier, leading to inflammation and increasing the risk of bacteria entering the skin barrier. Keeping the pH level balanced is important to protect the skin from irritants and bacteria. 

Managing eczema in children can also be difficult as the skin is delicate, sensitive and they might be more reluctant to try products. Focusing on avoiding triggers can help reduce flare ups, making sure to use gentle products whilst keeping the skin moisturised can help in managing eczema and sensitive skin.

How sebamed can help

sebamed’s products for children are designed to be gentle yet effective, helping to manage atopic dermatitis symptoms and maintain healthy skin. 

Use a gentle wash, like our sebamed gentle wash to help maintain the healthy skin barrier pH of 5.5. Perfect for using every day on your child’s sensitive skin - it gently cleanses without stripping away the natural oils, preventing dryness, irritation and tears. 

After cleansing, use a gentle moisturiser like our award-winning baby sebamed body milk to help skin regeneration and healing process. Formulated with sweet almond oil and shea butter helps protect against dryness, whilst Panthenol hydrates and soothes the skin.

Our sebamed baby bubble bath is perfect for a no-tears bubble bath. Formulated with nourishing properties to soothe the skin, whilst the extracts of medicinal plants help to hydrate and protect the skin from inflammation and irritation - providing a gentle cleansing without dehydrating the skin. 

To see our full baby and children range… click here 

Eczema in Adults

Eczema can continue into adulthood but can also appear for the first time later in life. It usually affects areas such as the hands, face and neck. This can be difficult as daily activities or household chores might expose the skin to irritants that can make the symptoms worse. 

Eczema can disrupt the skin’s pH balance, shifting from a healthy level of 5.5 to a more alkaline state. This imbalance can weaken the skin’s protective barrier, making it more susceptible to inflammation and infections. Keeping the skin’s pH balanced is important to protect the skin from irritants and harmful bacteria. 

Managing atopic dermatitis in adulthood usually involves identifying and avoiding triggers that can cause flare ups, such as certain foods, environmental triggers or harsh skincare products. Using the right skincare product is important in keeping the skin hydrated and protected without making the symptoms worse. 

How sebamed can help

Adults with eczema need skincare products that are both effective and gentle on the skin, as the skin may be more sensitive due to environmental factors or stress. sebamed’s range for adults have been specially designed for sensitive skin to help maintain the skin’s protective barrier and soothe and hydrate the skin. 

Our sebamed olive face and body wash is perfect for daily use, as it gently cleanses the skin without causing dryness or irritation. Formulated with olive oil combined with panthenol, it protects against irritation and the loss of lipids and moisture in the skin. 

Our sebamed moisturising body lotion helps to soothe and moisturise eczema-prone skin with naturally cooling and calming chamomile and Allantoin - which helps preserve the natural moisture balance of the skin. 

If you suffer with dry, chapped lips then our sebamed lip defence balm is just the thing to provide relief and repair the skin. Formulated with Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E and Bisabolo to soothe and regenerate the skin. 

Eczema care for all ages

Sebamed products have been specially designed to offer eczema relief and support healthy skin for all ages, whether you’re a baby, child, teenager, adult or over 50. Their gentle formulations maintain the skin’s natural pH balance of 5.5 which helps restore and strengthens the skin barrier that has been affected by atopic dermatitis. Sebamed’s products can be used for the whole family across the ages - making them the perfect choice for families. Whether you want to indulge in a bubble bath, or have more mature skin - you can find a skincare product that can help provide relief from eczema and sensitive skin.