In many households, eczema affects more than just one family member. While anyone can get eczema, it’s more common to have it if one of your blood relatives does. So if you’re a parent who lives with the condition, you may be watching for early signs in your kids.
While a parent having eczema doesn’t guarantee their child will get it, a family history can increase the risk. But when you understand these risks and know what to look for, you can get an earlier diagnosis and quicker care.
Understanding the Genetic Risk
Monica Veloz, a style and beauty creator who has lived with eczema most of her life, says that growing up, she was the only one in her family with skin issues.
“My mom, dad, brother — not a pimple,” she says. “And then there was me. My mom used to say that when I was born, I was born with all the water drained from her belly, so I had really dry skin. That was her explanation for why I had problematic skin throughout the years.”
Fast-forward to her adulthood, and Veloz began noticing some familiar symptoms in her own household after becoming a parent.
“My son had a lot of dry patches when he was born,” Veloz says. “I recognized it early on. I thought, ‘Oh, this looks familiar.’”
If both parents of a child have eczema, the chance that their child will get it is especially high, says Samantha Venkatesh, MD, a dermatologist at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. And as it turns out, Veloz’s fiance developed the condition as an adult.
Researchers are still studying the exact cause of eczema, but they do know that having it is strongly linked to a mutation in the FLG gene. The FLG gene codes for a protein that makes up part of the skin barrier. Around 20%-30% of people with eczema have an FLG mutation. And if you get two copies of a mutated FLG gene, one from each parent, your risk of getting eczema goes up.
Still, it’s not a guarantee you’ll pass it down, says Venkatesh.
“If you have eczema, you can’t just assume that your kids will have it,” she says. “They have a higher likelihood, but it’s not certain.”
Symptoms to Watch For
First signs of eczema usually show up in early childhood before age 5, but some people can get it later in life. You may notice your child itching constantly, and you may see scaly patches on the cheeks or in folds of the skin like inside the elbows or behind the knees. On light skin, these patches can be red. On darker skin, they may be grey or purple.
If these symptoms don’t improve with basic at-home care like over-the-counter moisturizers, or if your child seems uncomfortable or loses sleep because of itching, see a doctor.
“It’s never too early to reach out to your pediatrician because they know the early signs of eczema,” says Venkatesh. “They can start treatment or refer you to a dermatologist at any stage of the disease — the earlier the better.”
Managing Eczema in a Household
Even if only one person in a family has eczema, it’s a good idea to have some household-wide eczema-friendly habits. Simple changes can make a big difference.
“It’s important that the whole family use fragrance-free, dye-free products,” says Venkatesh. This includes things like laundry detergents, soaps, and lotions.
Veloz uses her experience with her own skin care to help make a routine for her son. When flare-ups appeared, she leaned on soothing oatmeal baths, which have always been a balm for her symptoms.
“I would just put him in a little warm bath with the oatmeal packs and just try to hydrate his skin as much as possible,” says Veloz.
You can also make certain home adjustments, such as:
- Reduce triggers. These can vary widely from person to person, but if an allergen is part of the problem, for example, you can improve the air quality in your home with air purifiers and regular vacuuming.
- Use humidifiers. Dry indoor air tends to worsen eczema, especially in winter. A humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help everyone’s skin stay hydrated.
- Keep a regular home temperature. Find a steady temperature that suits skin needs and stick with it.
- Cool down at night. The exception to the temperature comes at night. Sleeping in a cool bedroom not only helps promote better sleep, it helps prevent nighttime sweat. Aim for between 60-67 degrees F.
- Provide soft fabrics. Make sure towels, sheets, and blankets aren’t scratchy or synthetic. If you’re buying clothes for your child, opt for breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo to help prevent overheating and wick away sweat, a known trigger for flares.
It’s also helpful to have a family conversation about the importance of these skin-friendly habits. Venkatesh advises using a simple explanation for kids who have eczema.
“You can say, ‘Eczema just means your skin is not going to keep in as much water as it normally should, so we have to take extra care and be extra careful with your sensitive skin,’” she says.
When to See the Doctor
If you’re seeing eczema symptoms in your child or other family member, you may be able to manage it from home if they’re mild. But certain signs may mean it’s time to call on your doctor for more help.
These include:
- Persistent itching that disrupts sleep
- Worsening redness, oozing, or cracking
- Signs of infection like pus or fever
- Distress about skin appearance or feel
A dermatologist can create a tailored treatment plan that may include topical medications, prescription creams, and in some cases, advanced treatments for moderate to severe eczema.
Veloz says her own experience empowers her to take good care of her son and to know when to call on expert help.
“So far, we’ve been able to treat at home, but if symptoms continue with my son, we know where to go,” she says. “Knowing the basics has made all the difference.”
