By Michael H. Gold, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Gold Skin Care Center Published October 9, 2026
Key takeaways
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) often starts in the first months or years of life, and where it appears tends to change as a child grows.
Daily bathing and moisturizing habits, plus avoiding your child's specific triggers, do much of the work of controlling flares.
Several prescription treatments are FDA-approved for young children, including some non-steroid creams and one biologic approved from 6 months of age.
See a dermatology provider if the rash is disrupting sleep, not improving with good skin care, looks infected, or keeps coming back.
Eczema in children is common, manageable, and very rarely a sign that a parent did something wrong. Most children with eczema can be kept comfortable with a steady daily skin care routine, a plan for handling flares, and the right prescription treatment when needed. The goal is fewer flares, less itching, and better sleep for your child and for you.
October is Eczema Awareness Month, and the National Eczema Association estimates that more than 31 million people in the U.S. live with eczema. Many of them first developed it as children. In more than 35 years of practice in Nashville, I have treated eczema in patients from infancy through their later years, and I have spent a good part of my research career studying it through our clinical research center. Here is what I want parents to know.
What eczema is, in plain terms
Eczema is a group of conditions that make the skin red, itchy, and inflamed. The most common type in children is atopic dermatitis. Children with eczema have a skin barrier that does not hold moisture or keep out irritants as well as it should, and an immune system that overreacts to things that touch or bother the skin. The result is dry skin, itching, and a cycle where scratching makes the rash worse.
Eczema is not contagious. It often runs in families, especially families with a history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever. You can read more on our eczema and atopic dermatitis page.
Where eczema shows up at different ages
One of the most helpful things for parents to know is that eczema moves. According to the National Eczema Association's guide to eczema in children, the pattern often looks like this:
Infants (first 6 months): usually the face, cheeks, chin, forehead, and scalp. The skin may look red and weepy. The diaper area is often spared.
Babies (6 to 12 months): often the elbows and knees, the places that rub while crawling.
Toddlers (2 to 5 years): more often in the creases of the elbows and knees, and on the wrists, ankles, hands, around the mouth, and on the eyelids. Skin may start to look dry, scaly, and thickened.
Children 5 and older: usually the folds of the elbows and knees, sometimes only the hands, behind the ears, the feet, or the scalp.
If your child's rash does not fit these patterns, that is a good reason to have it examined. Several other conditions can look like eczema, including contact dermatitis, fungal infections, and psoriasis, and each is treated differently.
Common triggers in children
A trigger does not cause eczema, but it can set off a flare or make one worse. The American Academy of Dermatology's guide to childhood eczema triggers lists many, and in my experience these come up most often:
Dry air and temperature swings. Middle Tennessee winters bring dry indoor heat, and fall brings sudden shifts between warm afternoons and cold mornings. Both can dry out sensitive skin.
Heat and sweat. Common during Nashville summers and after sports or active play.
Fragranced products. Scented soaps, bubble bath, lotions, and laundry products.
Rough fabrics. Wool and some synthetic fabrics can irritate the skin.
Pool water. Chlorine can irritate eczema, so rinse and moisturize after swimming.
Stress. Often becomes a bigger trigger in the tween and teen years.
Keeping a simple log of flares (what happened that day, what your child wore, what products you used) can help you and your child's provider spot patterns.
The daily routine that does the most good
For most children, good daily skin care is the foundation of eczema control. Prescription treatment works better when this part is in place.
Bathe in lukewarm water for a short time, using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser only where needed.
Pat the skin mostly dry instead of rubbing.
Moisturize within a few minutes of bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp. Thick, fragrance-free creams or ointments usually protect better than thin lotions.
Moisturize again during the day, especially on the hands and any areas that tend to flare.
Apply prescription medicine as directed, usually before the moisturizer on the treated areas unless your provider tells you otherwise.
For itch relief ideas that are safe for kids, including keeping nails short and using cool compresses, the AAD has a practical guide to relieving itch in children with eczema.
Prescription treatments for children
When good skin care is not enough, several prescription options are available. Which one is right depends on your child's age, how severe the eczema is, and where it appears. According to the American Academy of Dermatology's overview of atopic dermatitis treatment, options include:
Topical corticosteroids. The most commonly used prescription treatment. Used correctly, in the right strength for the right body area, they are effective and safe. Many parents worry about steroids; ask us exactly how much to use and for how long, and we will give you a clear plan.
Non-steroid prescription creams and ointments. These include topical calcineurin inhibitors, crisaborole ointment (FDA-approved from 3 months of age), and newer creams such as ruxolitinib, tapinarof, and roflumilast, each FDA-approved for children 2 and older with atopic dermatitis within their labeled severity range. They are especially useful on the face and skin folds, where we prefer to limit steroid use.
Light therapy. Narrowband UVB phototherapy can help some children with widespread eczema. It requires regular office visits, typically two to three times a week.
Biologic injections. For moderate to severe eczema that is not controlled with treatments applied to the skin, dupilumab (Dupixent®) is FDA-approved for children as young as 6 months. Other biologics are approved from age 12.
For children and teens whose eczema is harder to control, I cover the newer systemic options in more detail in an upcoming article on advanced eczema treatments.
When to see a dermatology provider
Schedule an appointment if:
The itching is keeping your child (or you) up at night
The rash is not improving after a few weeks of consistent skin care
You are using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone often and the rash keeps returning
The rash is spreading, cracking, or bleeding
You are unsure whether it is eczema at all
Call promptly if you see signs of infection, such as yellow crusting, oozing, pus bumps, or a rash that suddenly becomes painful. Eczema-prone skin is more vulnerable to skin infections, and some need treatment right away. If your child has a fever with a sudden painful, blistering rash, seek care the same day.
How we care for children with eczema at Gold Skin Care Center
Our practice treats patients from infancy through adulthood, and pediatric eczema is a big part of our medical dermatology care. Our team includes Collette Utley, DNP, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner who also holds a pediatric nurse practitioner credential and whose doctoral work focused on atopic dermatitis. I was her project partner on that work.
A first visit for a child with eczema usually includes a careful history, an exam, a written skin care routine, and a plan for flares. If we suspect an allergy to something that touches the skin, patch testing may be part of the conversation.
Because I also lead the Tennessee Clinical Research Center, our team has been closely involved in how eczema treatments are studied over the years. Research participation is always voluntary and separate from routine care, and it is not the reason to choose a treatment. The benefit to your family is simpler: we follow this field closely and can explain the options clearly.
What to do next
Start the daily bathing and moisturizing routine above, and track flares for two weeks.
Bring photos of flares and a list of products you use to your appointment.
Call (615) 383-2400 or use our scheduling form to book a visit with our Nashville dermatology team.
If this is your family's first visit, our guide to your first dermatology appointment explains what to bring and what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Will my child outgrow eczema? Many children see their eczema improve as they get older, but some continue to have it into adulthood, and it can return later in life. Consistent care helps either way.
Is it safe to use steroid creams on my child? When used as prescribed, in the right strength and for the right length of time, topical corticosteroids are a safe and effective part of eczema care for most children. Ask us to write down exactly where, how much, and how long.
Does food cause eczema? Food allergies can play a role for some children, especially infants with severe eczema, but they are not the cause for most. Please do not remove foods from your child's diet without talking to your child's provider first.
Can my child with eczema swim? Yes, for most children. Rinse off after swimming and apply moisturizer right away.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Results vary, and every treatment carries risks. An appointment with a board-certified dermatologist or qualified dermatology provider is the best way to learn which options are right for you.
About the author
Michael H. Gold, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon and the founder and medical director of Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, which he established in 1990. He also founded the Tennessee Clinical Research Center and holds appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine. Read Dr. Gold's full bio.
