Question
Why does my baby have fat-like hard things on their head and body? These substances aren’t red, so how should I handle them? Are there any ointments that can be applied to improve the situation?
Answer
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an allergic disease related to genetics. ‘Atopic’ refers to a congenital allergic constitution characterized by elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the blood. Infant eczema usually appears within 10 to 15 days after birth, with symptoms including small red rashes on the face and flaking on the eyebrows. Babies prone to eczema on the face are also susceptible to diaper rash, so it’s important to keep the buttocks clean and dry during care. By the time babies are 1 to 2 months old, eczema may worsen, and by 3 months old, hard, fatty scabs may form on the top of the head, and eczema may also appear on the face. Due to itching, babies may feel uncomfortable and constantly scratch. If there are hard crusts on the head, you can soak them in baby oil for 20 minutes before bathing and gently wash them off with warm water. It may not come off in one wash; you can try again next time. If the baby is breastfed, the mother can try avoiding drinking milk and not eating eggs to see if it improves the baby’s condition.