Last updated: September 2026
Eczema in babies and kids flares every fall because skin that already struggles to hold moisture dries out fast once the indoor heat comes on, humidity drops, baths get hotter, and cold season starts. The fix is not a new cream every October. It is a daily routine of short lukewarm baths, sealing in moisture within three minutes, and treating flares early.
Key takeaways
- About 1 in 10 American children has eczema, most starting before age 5.
- Dry indoor air, hot baths, wool, and viral illnesses are the usual fall triggers. Georgia homes go from humid to heated and dry within weeks in October.
- Moisturize twice a day with a thick cream or ointment, always within 3 minutes of the bath. This habit prevents more flares than anything else.
- Yellow crusting, weeping, fever, or clusters of small blisters near eczema need a same-day visit.
What is eczema and how common is it in children?
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a long-term skin condition where the outer layer of skin does not hold moisture or block irritants the way it should. Water escapes, bacteria and allergens get in, and the result is dry, itchy, red or darkened patches that come and go in flares.
It is common. A CDC survey found that 10.8 percent of U.S. children ages 0 to 17 had eczema in 2021, roughly 1 in 10. [Source: CDC, Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Children Aged 0 to 17 Years] Some children outgrow it by age 4, while others keep sensitive skin into adulthood. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, Eczema in Babies and Children]
To tell it apart from other rashes, see our guide to common skin rash types in children.
Where does eczema show up at different ages?
- Infants: cheeks, forehead, scalp, and the outer surfaces of the arms and legs. The diaper area is usually spared.
- Toddlers and older children: the creases of the elbows and behind the knees, plus wrists, ankles, neck, and the skin around the eyes.
Why does eczema flare every fall and winter?
Parents in Marietta, Alpharetta, and Cumming notice the same pattern: skin that looked fine all summer starts flaring in October.
- Indoor heat and low humidity. North Georgia summers are humid, and that moisture protects eczema-prone skin. Once the furnace comes on, indoor humidity drops within days.
- Hotter, longer baths. Hot water strips the skin’s natural oils.
- Wool and fleece. Scratchy fabrics rub, and overheating under layers causes sweating that stings.
- Viral illnesses. Colds, flu, and RSV trigger flares in many children. If eczema worsens with every runny nose, that is expected, not a sign the treatment failed.
What daily routine actually keeps eczema under control?
The AAP recommends a daily or every-other-day bath of 5 to 10 minutes in lukewarm water, a fragrance-free cleanser used only on sweaty or dirty areas, then moisturizer applied right away while the skin is still damp. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, How to Treat and Control Eczema Rashes in Children]
We call this “soak and seal.” Here is the routine we hand to families:
- Bath 5 to 10 minutes, lukewarm, fragrance-free cleanser only where needed. No bubble bath.
- Pat dry. Skin should still feel damp.
- Within 3 minutes, apply any prescribed medicine to flared spots first, then a thick layer of ointment or cream everywhere else.
- Moisturize again in the morning. Dress in soft cotton and keep wool and fleece off bare skin.
- Wash clothes and bedding in fragrance-free, dye-free detergent. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets.
- Keep fingernails short. Cotton mittens help babies at night.
- Run a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom once the heat is on, and clean it regularly.
Which moisturizer is best: lotion, cream, or ointment?
Thicker is better. The AAP recommends petroleum jelly or fragrance-free moisturizing creams over thin lotions. If it comes in a pump bottle, it is probably too thin for eczema-prone skin.
| Type | What it is | Best for | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ointment | Mostly oil, very little water (petroleum jelly and similar) | Nighttime, winter, babies, cracked or very dry patches | Greasy, can stain clothes |
| Cream | Roughly half oil, half water, in a tub or tube | Daytime and school, kids who dislike grease | Needs reapplying more often, some preservatives sting |
| Lotion | Mostly water, in a pump bottle | Normal skin in humid weather | Evaporates fast, often has fragrance, not enough for eczema |
How are eczema flares treated?
Topical steroids. The first-line treatment. The AAP describes them as very effective and safe when used appropriately, usually twice a day on flared skin for a short course. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, How to Treat and Control Eczema Rashes in Children] Hydrocortisone 1 percent is available over the counter for mild patches on the body, but the label says to ask a doctor before using it on children under 2. Prescription steroids come in a range of strengths, matched to the location: mildest on the face and diaper area, stronger for thick patches on arms and legs.
Non-steroid prescription options. Tacrolimus ointment (approved from age 2), pimecrolimus cream, and crisaborole ointment (approved from 3 months) reduce inflammation without steroid side effects and suit the face and eyelids.
Dupilumab. For moderate to severe eczema that does not respond to skin treatments, dupilumab is an injection given every 2 to 4 weeks, FDA-approved for children as young as 6 months and prescribed through a pediatric dermatologist or allergist.
Wet wraps. For a stubborn flare, apply medicine and moisturizer, then dress your child in damp cotton pajamas with dry ones on top for at least 30 minutes. Ask us first if a prescription steroid is underneath, because wraps increase absorption.
Dilute bleach baths. The AAP describes these as a way to reduce bacteria on the skin: one half cup of regular household bleach in a full standard tub, two to three times a week, followed by rinsing and moisturizing. The dilution is about the same as a swimming pool. Use proportionally less in a baby tub, and never put bleach on skin directly.
Are topical steroids safe for my child?
Used as prescribed, yes. The side effects parents worry about, thinning skin and stretch marks, come from using strong steroids on large areas for months without breaks, or on the face where they were not prescribed. Undertreating has its own cost: a child who scratches all night sleeps poorly and breaks the skin open to infection. A short, adequate course that clears the flare is safer than a smear of weak cream for months.
How do I know if eczema is infected, and when is it an emergency?
Eczema-damaged skin lets bacteria in. The AAP tells parents to call the pediatrician for yellow or honey-colored crusting and scabbing, weepy or oozy skin, blisters, or pus bumps. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, Eczema in Babies and Children] Honey-colored crust is the classic sign of impetigo, a bacterial infection that treats well with antibiotics. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, Impetigo]
Call us the same day for: yellow crusts, weeping, or pus on an eczema patch; spreading redness or swelling; fever with a skin flare; or a flare not improving after a week of treatment.
Go to the emergency room or call us immediately for:
- Clusters of small, punched-out blisters or sores near eczema, especially with fever or if someone in the house has a cold sore. This can be eczema herpeticum, a herpes virus infection of eczema skin that spreads fast and needs antiviral medicine right away. Never let anyone with a cold sore kiss a child with eczema.
- Any baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, or any child with a fever above 104°F that keeps returning. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, Fever: When to Call the Pediatrician]
Our fever guide covers the temperature rules in detail.
Does food cause eczema, and should I worry about peanut allergy?
Most eczema is not caused by food. The AAP is direct: many children with eczema also have food allergies, but foods themselves do not cause eczema. [Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org, Eczema in Babies and Children] Cutting out dairy, wheat, or eggs without testing rarely clears the skin.
The relationship runs the other way. Severe infant eczema raises the risk of food allergy, so peanut introduction guidance depends on how bad the eczema is. NIAID guidelines sort babies into three groups. Infants with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both should have peanut introduced as early as 4 to 6 months, after checking with their pediatrician, who may order allergy testing first. Infants with mild to moderate eczema should start peanut foods around 6 months. Infants with no eczema or food allergy can start peanut with other solids. [Source: NIAID, Peanut Allergy Prevention Guidelines: Summary for Parents] Use smooth peanut butter thinned into puree, never whole peanuts.
Eczema also travels with asthma and seasonal allergies, the atopic march, so watch for wheezing with colds and springtime sneezing as your child grows. Our guides on childhood allergies and childhood asthma cover what to look for.
When should I see a pediatrician versus a dermatologist?
Your pediatrician can manage most childhood eczema, including prescription creams, infection treatment, and the peanut plan. We refer to a pediatric dermatologist or allergist when eczema stays moderate to severe despite a solid routine and prescription treatment, when a child needs dupilumab, or when the diagnosis is unclear. For more on what we treat in the office, see common skin conditions in kids.
How Sun Pediatrics can help
Eczema visits pick up every October, when the heat comes on. Every physician is board certified, and our team cares for children from birth through 18.
We offer same-day sick visits every day, so an infected patch or a flare that will not settle can be seen today, and secure video visits work well for a quick look at a rash. If a flare came with a fever or cough, we can run rapid tests for strep, flu, RSV, and COVID in the same visit.
Our offices are in Marietta at Windy Hill, East Cobb, Alpharetta, and Cumming. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 to 4:45, Friday 8:00 to 4:15, with a Saturday clinic 9:00 to 12:00 on the first and third Saturday. Request an appointment online or call 678-501-5601. Same-day sick visits are held every day at all four offices.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use hydrocortisone cream on my baby’s face?
Check with us first. The label advises asking a doctor before use under age 2, and the face absorbs medicine more than the body. For baby cheeks we often prefer a mild prescription steroid for a few days or a non-steroid ointment.
How long does it take a flare to clear?
Most flares improve in 3 to 5 days and clear in 1 to 2 weeks with the right medicine used twice a day. If there is no improvement after 7 days, call us.
Will my child outgrow eczema?
Many children improve by school age, and some clear by age 4. Others keep dry, sensitive skin into adulthood. Good daily skin care means fewer infections and better sleep either way.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Contact your pediatrician for care specific to your child.
