INTERVENTION:
Starting by 3 weeks of age, to apply a daily emollient to all skin of the infant.
INTERVENTION GOAL:
To decrease risk of eczema.
EVIDENCE supporting INTERVENTION:
A study published in 2014 looked at 124 babies born in the United States and in the United Kingdom and recommended daily emollient therapy for half of the infants but the other half were asked to avoid emollients. The infants were assessed at 6 months for the presence of eczema. The infants which had been using daily emollients to all skin 50% less likely to have eczema compared to the other group of infants.
POTENTIAL RISK:
No adverse side effects reported to daily emollient application.
INTERVENTION SPECIFICS:
– Choose an emollient: Sunflower seed oil, Cetaphil cream, Aquaphor Healing Ointment.
– Starting NO LATER THAN 3 weeks of age, apply the emollient to all skin of the baby (except the scalp) every day until at least 6 months of age.
– Minimize soap and bubble bath use on infant skin during bathing.
– Use a mild fragrance free cleanser for bathing
– Avoid bath oils
– Use mild, fragrance free shampoo (designed for babies) and avoid using on entire body
– Avoid using baby wipes if possible