Because the cause is unknown, there are currently no guidelines for reducing your risk of
eczema. Some studies, though, suggest that you may be able to reduce your child's risk by:
- Breastfeeding
- For bottlefed infants, using a certain kind of formula—Ask the doctor if your baby should have 100% whey protein formula (eg, Nestle Good Start).
- Exposing your child to pets at an early age
- Having your child eat fish at an early age (before nine months)
- Taking probiotics while pregnant and after giving birth (if you are breastfeeding)
As the understanding of the condition grows, your doctor may have more information regarding steps for reducing your risk of eczema.
If you have eczema, you may be able to control the onset of an eczema outbreak by controlling certain triggers. For tips on controlling outbreaks, see
Lifestyle Treatments for Managing Eczema.
