Eczema affects between ten and twenty percent of all babies in the United States. In the majority of these cases, the condition resolves by the time they reach two years of age. In some babies, eczema becomes chronic and may continue into adulthood.

In babies, the most common type of eczema is atopic eczema. This type of eczema is characterized by itching, and red, scaly skin on the scalp, face, arms or legs. Eczematous lesions may also affect other parts of the body. Atopic eczema often runs in families, and an episode may be triggered when a baby has poorly moisturized skin, is exposed to certain substances or types of clothing, or eats certain foods. Extreme temperatures may also trigger eczema. Some studies have shown a link between early weaning from breastfeeding and eczema.

Food allergies are thought to account for up to 30 percent of childhood eczema cases. If a particular food is suspected as the likely cause of a baby