eczema Archives - Zel Skin & Laser Specialists - now Schweiger Dermatology Group
eczema breastfeeding link

A Link Between Breastfeeding and Eczema

Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin, which we commonly see in our pediatric (and adult!) patients. It causes itchy, dry skin that may become painful or infected. A child’s likelihood of developing eczema can be influenced by both their environment and whether they have a family member with eczema, but we now also have research that suggests that babies who are exclusively breastfed may have a lower likelihood of developing eczema.

The link between breastfeeding and eczema is not yet conclusive. However, it seems that children who were breastfed for their first few months are less likely to still have eczema at age 6. There is also evidence that children who were breastfed exclusively for at least 3 months have milder, shorter eczema flares.

We are still learning about this link between breastfeeding and eczema. However, we find this information to be promising as we continue to learn more about why certain skin conditions develop.

[The data analysis for this article, published in HealthDay News, was part of the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration.]

hand dermatitis

Understanding Dry, Scaling, Cracking Hands

Have you noticed cracking, scaling and dryness on your hands? Maybe you’ve tried over the counter hand creams and lotions, but your skin is still painful and just won’t heal? You may be suffering from hand dermatitis (eczema).

Patients with hand dermatitis suffer from several symptoms including chapped skin, itching skin, small blisters on the palms of the hand or between the fingers, itching or burning of the skin or even deep cracks that cause bleeding or weeping skin.

Treatment of hand dermatitis is twofold. One part is treating the symptoms and the second part is finding out the initial cause. Coming into contact with chemicals, frequent exposure to water and other exposures can cause hand eczema. Common professions of patients with this skin condition include hair stylists, dish washers, medical professionals and others who come in contact with chemicals or detergents.

If you have dry, chapped or cracked hands that do not improve with the use of over the counter hand creams or if you have any pain, burning or itching of the skin, it may be time to see your dermatology providers for treatment. While hand dermatitis isn’t contagious or harmful, it can be a cause of infection as well as pain and embarrassment.

Please contact us at (952) 929-8888 to schedule your appointment today.

Brooke Moss, PA-C, MPH is a board-certified dermatology Physician Assistant. She is accepting new patients in our Edina and Downtown Minneapolis locations.

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Plymouth, MN 55447

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