The nurse is teaching the parent of a 1 year old with concurrent atopic dermatitis about infection prevention. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Administer topical antihistamine: Topical antihistamines are generally not recommended in young children due to the risk of skin sensitization and potential systemic absorption. They do not effectively prevent infection and may worsen skin irritation in atopic dermatitis. B. Offer elimination diet for 1 month: Elimination diets are not routinely recommended unless a specific food allergy has been clearly identified. Unnecessary dietary restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies and does not directly prevent skin infection associated with eczema. C. Keep the area dry at all times: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by impaired skin barrier and dryness, so maintaining skin hydration with emollients is essential. Keeping the skin excessively dry can worsen cracking and increase susceptibility to infection. D. Trim the child's nails regularly: Regular nail trimming reduces skin damage caused by scratching, which can introduce bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus into broken skin. Minimizing excoriation helps preserve skin integrity and significantly lowers the risk of secondary infection.