Diagnosed with eczema at 17 months of age, little did I know how much this irritating and painful condition would truly effect the lives of both my daughter and myself. Characterized with extremely dry, patchy, and itchy skin, my toddler would literally scratch until she bled.

For those who either suffer with this skin disorder, or those who have children who suffer with it, I don't have to tell you how many sleepless nights and exhaustive days one experiences while trying to deal with this condition.

Due to the severity of the itching, it literally takes all the energy you can muster to make the sufferer comfortable. In addition to the hydrocortizone creams, or antihistamine blocker medication, allergist specialist or dermatologist often prescribe steroidal skin creams to control the breakouts. Unfortunately however, these creams are not conducive to long-term use.

Therefore, when the flare-ups resurface (and they do come back, and often with a vengance), in addition to the return of the endless scratching, comes the opening of new skin wounds, and the reopening of old ones. This in turn leads to skin infections.

It was after an extremely horrendous skin infection suffered by my toddler (which left her pale skin so raw and beet red, that it was torture for her to be given a bath, or even for anyone to touch her!), that I decided to take matters in my own hands to prevent this from happening to her again.

After a week of antibiotics administered from her allergist specialist (who happens to be the most caring specialist I've seen in a long time), I came up with a "skin infection prevention" program. It goes like this...

1.) Keep your toddler's nails trimmed as low as possible. Thereby, preventing any great damage to the skin due to scratching.

2.) When and if your toddler does break their skin, using hydrogen peroxide, immediately cleanse the area as thoroughly as possible (at least three times a day). Ensure that your toddler's hands are washed thoroughly as well, following this event.

3.) Keep a supply of prescription antibiotic ointment on hand just in case your toddler's scratching causes an open flesh wound.

My daughter's allergist specialist prescribed her an antibiotic ointment called Mupirocin. I use this at least two to three times a day on the effected area (use it as often as your dermatologist or allergist specialist instructs you).

4.) Instead of trying to prevent him/her from scratching (there's no way you can prevent a toddler from scratching - even as adults, when we have an itch, we scratch), cover their hands with a pair of socks.

Personally, I cover my daughters hands with my home sewn 100% cotton scratch mitts since my daughters condition is so severe, that synthetic fibers aggravate her condition. I've made her a dozen or more cotton scratch mitts which allow her to scratch without breaking her skin. The mitts are very soft against her skin, yet at the same token, they offer her the relief she needs.

Sticking to my "skin infection prevention" game plan, has worked wonders for my toddler. From the day her skin became infection free, she has not suffered from this sad but regular side effect connected with her skin condition. It is my hope that with these tips, you too will prevent skin infections in your young eczema sufferer.

copywrite © 2009.