Is it true that the eczema of milk on the baby's cheeks was caused by splashes of breastmilk?

Itchy and sore red rash that appears on the cheeks of a baby is often referred to as eczema milk. It is called that because many people think its appearance is caused by consuming milk or splashing breast milk while breastfeeding. As a result, it is not uncommon for parents to decide to limit or stop breastfeeding their babies. In fact, babies still need nutritional intake from breast milk to grow and develop properly. So, is it true that breast milk is the cause of eczema rash on baby's skin?

What is milky eczema?

The term "eczema milk" originates from the understanding that everything a mother eats during pregnancy and breastfeeding is absorbed into the breast milk.

So when the mother eats foods that can trigger inflammatory or allergic reactions on the skin, these substances will be channeled into the baby's body through the breast milk he drinks. These inflammation-inducing substances are also believed to cause a rash on a baby's cheeks when breastmilk comes in direct contact with their skin while feeding.

That's why many pregnant and lactating women are usually given certain dietary restrictions, for example, abstaining from eating eggs, nuts, and products containing milk. From this understanding, the term eczema milk began to be used to describe the appearance of eczema in babies.

However, this assumption is not quite right. Eczema milk is not an official and correct medical term to describe the appearance of a red rash on a baby's skin. This was clarified by dr. Srie Prihianti, Sp. KK, PhD, a skin specialist who is also the chairman of the Child Dermatology Study Group (KSDAI) at PERDOSKI (Indonesian Association of Sexual Dermatologists).

When met by the Hello Sehat team in the Mega Kuningan area, South Jakarta, Monday (5/11), dr. Yanti, her nickname, emphasized that the red rash on the baby's cheeks is not exactly called eczema milk.

The medical world only knows the term eczema, aka atopic dermatitis. Eczema is classified as a type of dermatitis that commonly occurs in infants and young children.

The cause of eczema rash in babies is not breast milk (ASI)

Eczema is a chronic inflammation that is triggered by the body's inability to produce so-called fat cells ceramide in sufficient quantity.

The cause of eczema is not certain. However, the rash or reddish spots characteristic of eczema that cause a baby's cheeks to be red, scaly, and itchy are not caused by consumption or exposure to milk (breast milk).

Until recently, what researchers knew was that the risk of atopic dermatitis was likely to be influenced by genetic factors, the function of the infant's immune system, and other external factors.

Symptoms of eczema itself generally begin to appear in the first 6 months of a baby's life. In the first six months, babies are strongly advised to breastfeed exclusively. But again, the appearance of eczema in babies is not caused by consumption or exposure to breast milk.

One thing is certain: the risk of a baby developing eczema can be greater if born in a family with a history of food allergies. Launching the National Eczema Association, about 30 percent of people with eczema in the world already have a food allergy; usually foods containing nuts, eggs, and milk.

From the explanation above, it can be concluded that there is indeed a link between food allergies, including milk allergies, and the emergence of eczema. However, milk itself is not the cause of eczema for the first time.

For children who are allergic to milk or its processed products, allergic reactions can worsen eczema symptoms if they continue to consume them.

Babies who experience eczema rash can drink milk or breast milk

Looking at the explanation above, it is clear that eczema milk is not caused by consumption or exposure to breast milk. Therefore, stopping exclusive breastfeeding is not the right solution to get rid of eczema.

Stopping or limiting breastfeeding means that you are preventing your baby from getting the best food intake. In the long run, this hinders the growth process. Babies who don't get enough protein from milk are at increased risk of developing kwashiorkor disease (protein deficiency), which also contributes to the damage to the skin.

The nutritional content in breast milk can actually optimize the function of the baby's immune system, which can improve allergic reactions to food over time. Therefore, babies still have to, can, and may breastfeed. However, mothers should indeed avoid various types of foods that trigger food allergies in babies.

How is eczema treated in babies?

The signs of eczema in babies are generally dry skin that has a red, scaly rash that feels itchy. This skin inflammation can last a long time, but the symptoms can subside and recur at any time.

Although it can recur at any time, a skin disease that is considered milky eczema can actually be treated with treatments for dry and sensitive skin. It's also important to avoid the triggers that cause eczema to recur.

Mothers can relieve eczema symptoms in babies in the following ways:

1.

When bathing, try to immerse all the baby's body, especially those affected by eczema, to get complete moisture. Rinse with clean water.

Then apply an eczema medicated cream or ointment within three minutes of getting out of the bath to keep the skin moisturized.

2. Choose a safe baby soap

To prevent skin irritation from getting worse due to milky eczema, it's a good idea to choose a soap that contains hypoallergenic ingredients, is colorless, and doesn't smell good.

Usually scented, colored soaps contain chemicals that can make eczema worse.

3. Use a safe skin moisturizer

Dr. Srie suggests using a moisturizer hypoallergenic which is light (says "mild" on the label), pH balanced, and contains organic ingredients. It is advisable that the moisturizer of your choice contains too ceramide which is useful for repairing sensitive skin tissue of babies.

Read and examine the ingredients of your baby's moisturizer. Apply moisturizer at least 3-5 minutes after bathing the baby.

Also avoid wearing baby clothes made of materials that often trigger itching or irritation (wool or synthetic fabrics).

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