Pediatric Eczema Treatment Clinic in Atlanta, GA

The cause of eczema development in kids is not entirely clear, although genetic and environmental factors seem to play a significant role. It may also have to do with how an individual’s immune system reacts to allergens, bacteria, or environmental irritants.

With that being said, the physical cause of eczema development has to do with problems with the skin barrier, or more specifically, a lack of a particular protein known as filaggrin. This protein is found on the outer layer of skin and helps protect the skin from environmental substances and particles that could harm it. When the skin lacks filaggrin, it has difficulty holding in water and keeping out bacteria and environmental irritants.

Eczema can manifest itself in several different ways in a child. As such, it can appear in a few isolated spots or all over the body. Moreover, eczema may appear differently in babies or toddlers than in school-aged children. With that in mind, the way that eczema typically appears on babies or toddlers and young school-aged children is as follows:

– With babies, eczema often begins as a rash on the scalp or face, with dry and red rashes showing up around the cheeks, forehead, and mouth. Eczema does not typically occur from diaper rash or spread to the diaper area.

– With school-aged children, eczema often develops in elbow creases, the backs of their knees, inner wrists, ankles, around the eyes, or on their neck. The rashes can appear as red or scaly or as bumps that leak fluid and eventually crust over.

The best treatment for eczema varies from patient to patient, as it ultimately depends on several different factors, including the sensitivity of the patient’s skin, the age of the patient, any medications or medical conditions the patient has or is taking, and how well the patient’s skin responds to various treatments. With that in mind, some commonly effective treatments for eczema include the following:

– Antibiotic treatment, for bacterial causes of eczema
– Antihistamines
– At-home therapies
– Immunotherapy
– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel)
– Oral or topical corticosteroids
– Topical moisturizers to help with skin barrier repair

If you decide to bring your child to The Allergy & Asthma Center for eczema treatment, our pediatric allergists can evaluate your child’s symptoms and review their medical history to determine the best treatment plan and help eliminate the eczema rash. We can also provide you with the best information about at-home therapies that you can try to alleviate symptoms of eczema.

No, eczema is absolutely not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else, nor can you pass it to another person through physical contact. Instead, eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition driven by a combination of genetics, a compromised skin barrier, and an overactive immune system.

While it cannot be spread, managing the intense itching and frequent flare-ups without professional help can be incredibly frustrating. This is where our board-certified allergists, Dr. Jon E. Stahlman, MD, and Dr. Deidre D. Crocker, MD, at The Allergy & Asthma Center step in. Because eczema is frequently triggered by hidden environmental or contact allergens, we utilize advanced diagnostic tools—like comprehensive patch testing—to pinpoint your exact irritants.

Once your unique triggers are identified, we design a highly personalized treatment plan. By combining targeted avoidance strategies, advanced barrier-repairing topicals, and cutting-edge biologic therapies, our experts can soothe your inflammation, stop the itch, and help you achieve clear, comfortable skin. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2987 Clairmont Rd #175, Atlanta, GA 30329. We serve patients from Atlanta GA, Brookhaven GA, Chamblee GA, Decatur GA, Dunwoody GA, Tucker GA, Sandy Springs GA, and the surrounding areas.