Question

Could my 15-month-old have eczema under his eye?

Answer

Dry skin can be treated with a variety of moisturizers, including thick creams, lotions, or greasy ointments. A lanolin-based cream, such as the one you have used, is fine as long as your son has not reacted to it (some individuals are sensitive to lanolin). A helpful approach is to bathe your son daily, keeping bath time short (no longer than 5 or 10 minutes), and to rapidly apply a moisturizer once he is out of the tub. Eczema is a genetic condition that results in itchy, red, scaly areas of skin. It can occur anywhere on the skin surface but is most common on the face, arms and legs. If his skin has such scaly areas, there are additional treatments that may be useful.

Mongolian spots are very common in young children, especially in darker-skinned races. They consist of blue-gray patches, usually over the lower back and buttocks, and occasionally in other areas. These harmless skin spots generally resolve on their own, although in some cases, this may take up to several years.