In case you missed it…
- Happy Skin Pediatric Dermatology’s Sam Casselman recently had the opportunity to join LearnSkin in an insightful podcast about managing eczema in infants.
- Discover what Sam describes as the Eczema Action Plan, a personalized roadmap that guides parents through managing flare-ups and maintenance.
- Understand the importance of clear, compassionate education to empower parents in their child’s eczema care journey.
Receiving an atopic dermatitis, or eczema, diagnosis for your infant can feel overwhelming. The flood of information, coupled with the child’s discomfort, often leaves parents feeling scared and uncertain. How can you best manage this chronic condition while navigating a world of conflicting advice and treatment options?
In a recent episode of the LearnSkin podcast, Dr. Hadar sat down with our own Sam Casselman to discuss this very challenge. Sam shared her compassionate and structured approach to caring for eczema in infants and young children, offering a wealth of practical strategies.
This blog will explore key insights from that podcast, providing a glimpse into a more holistic and empowering way to manage your child’s skin health.
How Can Intake Forms Improve Eczema Care in Infants and Children?
Efficiency is crucial in a busy practice, but so is empathy. Sam builds trust before even walking into the room by using detailed initial intake questionnaires. These forms are more than a checklist of symptoms; they provide a comprehensive snapshot of the child’s life and the family’s experience with eczema.
The questionnaires gather key information, including:
- Family history related to eczema
- How the condition impacts quality of life
- Parental concerns and fears about treatment
One crucial question Sam includes is: “Do you have any fear of any medications that you’ve been prescribed before?” This simple query helps address common anxieties, such as:
- Topical steroid phobia
- Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)
By addressing these concerns upfront, Sam creates space for open, transparent conversations during appointments, leading to more productive outcomes.
What is an Eczema Action Plan?
One of the most powerful tools in Sam’s practice is the Eczema Action Plan. Similar to action plans used for managing asthma or seizures, this document serves as a personalized roadmap for parents.
This action plan is a collaborative tool, created with the family during the appointment, often using a shared screen to customize the strategy together. This process ensures parents are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their child’s care.
The plan is divided into distinct zones to remove guesswork and provide clarity.
The Green Zone (Maintenance)
The Green Zone outlines the daily routine for when the skin is not flaring. It focuses on:
- Products that strengthen the skin barrier and maintain a healthy pH
- The role of maintenance medications, such as the infrequent use of topical steroids
Each of these Green Zone strategies can help parents feel more comfortable and in control of their child’s treatment.
The Yellow Zone (Flaring)
When the skin becomes red, itchy, or bumpy, the plan shifts to the Yellow Zone. This protocol provides clear instructions for managing a flare-up.
Yellow Zone actions may include:
- Switching from creams to ointments to avoid the stinging sensation caused by alcohol in creams.
- Incorporating natural anti-inflammatory practices, like bleach baths or using hypochlorous sprays, and lists specific medications for different areas of the body.
The plan also includes clear qualifiers for moving between zones. For instance, it defines when skin is considered “clear or almost clear” enough to return to the Green Zone maintenance routine. This empowers parents with the confidence to make daily management decisions.
How Can Parents Be Educated Without Feeling Overwhelmed?
With the amount of information available online today, it can sometimes be hard to distinguish what’s going to work and what isn’t. Sam guides her patients into staying educated without getting overwhelmed by the extra noise online.
Understanding the “Why” Behind Treatment
Education is the cornerstone of Sam’s approach, but she avoids all the complex medical jargon. Instead, she focuses on building trust by explaining the “why” behind each recommendation.
She uses a “layering” analogy to help parents understand how different treatments work. She explains that some products and topical treatments work on the skin’s surface, while more systemic medications like biologics work on a deeper level to address the chronic inflammation that keeps the cycle going.
Using a Collaborative Approach
When parents express interest in trendy or alternative products they’ve seen online, Sam doesn’t dismiss their curiosity. Instead, she uses it as an opportunity to educate them on the real risks of contact allergies from ingredients like lanolin or botanicals. She guides them toward ceramide-based products backed by research, explaining how they are proven to repair the skin barrier.
By validating parents’ concerns and providing expert, evidence-based guidance, she fosters a partnership. This shared decision-making process makes parents more receptive to her recommendations and transforms them into confident advocates for their child’s health.
Find Dedicated Holistic Care for Eczema in Your Infant with Sam Casselman
Sam’s strategies highlight a path forward for parents of infants with eczema—one built on preparation, clear guidance, and empathetic education. By streamlining appointments with smart intake forms and providing a clear roadmap with an Eczema Action Plan, you can reduce anxiety and feel more in control.
If you found these insights helpful, we encourage you to listen to the full LearnSkin podcast episode. Sam dives even deeper into these topics, providing more actionable advice to help you and your child achieve happier, healthier skin.
To get started on navigating your infant’s eczema journey, call Happy Skin Pediatric Dermatology today at (602) 837-3376 or use our convenient online appointment request form to schedule a consultation with Samantha Casselman. We look forward to serving you!