Written in partnership with Dr. Clarence De BELILOVSKY, Dermatologist and member of the Mustela circle of experts.

By adopting a few good daily habits, your baby will have every reason to live well... everywhere.

CITY: WHAT LIFESTYLE SHOULD BE ADOPTED WITH ATOPIC ECZEMA IN BABY?

It's true that cities are more polluted. Dust, impurities, tiny particles from exhaust fumes... This pollution brings the skin into contact with allergens (see our article on atopic eczema). It also makes pollen more irritating.

To help with this, you can slip a spray bottle and your emollient into your bag if you think your child might be particularly exposed, for example, during an outing. Otherwise, a good shower when you get home in the evening can simply help get rid of these parasites and prepare them for a good night's sleep. Here too, specific baby and child emollient products will be invaluable (see The Benefits of Emollients).

And rest assured, one shower is all you need. To feel squeaky clean in this environment, we tend to be overly hygienic in the city. However, this habit could contribute to drying out your baby's skin. Furthermore, by exposing your child to fewer germs, their immune system is more activated than necessary when they do encounter them. This can make them more susceptible to allergies.

Even in babies with atopic dermatitis, the immune system needs to be stimulated by infections in early childhood. Being careful about dust and dust mites to prevent the onset of atopic eczema is all well and good. However, being careful about everything doesn't necessarily help to get rid of it. In fact, children affected by atopic eczema are more numerous in cities where hygiene can be excessive. Speaking of showers, tap water can play a role.

Depending on its calcium content, bacteriological quality, and any traces of pesticides, water will influence whether it dries out or irritates the skin. Here, everything depends on the region and population: the more inhabitants there are, the more frequent the testing. And the more frequent the testing, the better the water quality. As you can see, city water might be less harsh on a baby's sensitive skin... A definite plus.

If needed, to counteract the drying effects of bathing, you can use a specific baby/child bath oil. Finally, and as strange as it may seem, an effective way to combat urban pollution is to ventilate your home! Allergens and other impurities tend to accumulate indoors, and their concentration can increase significantly if they remain trapped.

COUNTRYSIDE, MOUNTAINS: WHAT HYGIENE AND LIFESTYLE PRACTICES ARE NEEDED WHEN BABY HAS ATOPIC ECZEMA?

In the countryside and mountains, fresh air is always a benefit that anyone would want to offer their child, whether they have atopic dermatitis or not. If you live in the mountains, you might also be offering them a world (almost) free of dust mites! Indeed, while dust mites love the warmth of indoor spaces, they hate living at high altitudes. Above 1500 meters, the temperature rarely exceeds 25°C, their preferred temperature.

However, "clean air" also means more animals and plants. Depending on your child's sensitivity, these can influence reactions or allergies. In spring, the high pollen count can also trigger their immune system. Here too, a spray bottle and your emollient cream on hand will be a good defense. A daily shower, preferably in the evening, and the application of emollient products will also be a good way to protect your baby's skin.