 [ Symptoms ] why do babies get eczema [ Disease ] no one really knows what causes eczema it is an immune system reaction that can be triggered by certain soaps creams allergies and detergents and may worsen with stress heat and sweat heredity is a big factor in whether or not an infant gets eczema if mom or dad have eczema baby is a lot more likely to develop it too as a matter of fact if both parents have eczema the likelihood their infant will inherit it is about 50