Dry skin in a child [causes of dryness and what to do about it]

Features of dry skin in children

Dry skin in a child can develop under the influence of external factors, as well as be a symptom of various diseases. If the skin can be protected or restored from certain adverse effects by proper care, then in the presence of diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Causes of dry skin in newborns

Among the medical problems of dry skin in children, perhaps the first place is occupied by atopic dermatitis. The disease is based on a genetic defect in the barrier function, resulting in increased moisture loss. The disease begins at an early age and is characterized by dryness, itching, and during periods of exacerbation – the occurrence of inflammatory foci. If an exacerbation needs to be eliminated with medicines, then in the period between exacerbations, the care recommended by the doctor must be carried out daily. Usually this is the use of emollients.

Ichthyosis is another cause of dry skin in newborns. This is a congenital disease that is accompanied by a violation of the keratinization of the upper layer of the epidermis. As a result, scales resembling fish can form on the body, hence the name of the disease. This is not a very common disease, it can proceed in different ways, from mild manifestations to severe conditions that require constant therapy.

Diseases of the endocrine system (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus), helminthic invasion, some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, deficiency of certain vitamins A and PP are also reasons why a child has dry skin. Regular monitoring of the baby, periodic examinations by a pediatrician, timely prescribed treatment, if required, will allow you to suspect and eliminate these causes in a timely manner.

If a child has dry skin on the body, there are other reasons. In the first month of a baby’s life, the development of physiological dryness of the skin is possible. In utero, the child is in the aquatic environment, and after birth it passes into the air, and it takes time for the baby to adapt. The main cause of this condition is the insufficient work of the sweat glands, which begin to be activated after birth. Physiological dryness of the skin can manifest itself in the form of peeling on the whole body of a newborn. Gradually, within a month, this physiological condition disappears. It is enough after carrying out water procedures to moisturize the skin of the baby with a light cream or special milk. For example:

But if the skin is excessively dry in a one-year-old baby, this is a reason to consult a doctor to get care recommendations in order to avoid the development of complications.

Any inflammatory process, be it a cold or a more serious condition, accompanied by a rise in temperature, contributes to the loss of moisture from the body. Dyspeptic symptoms, insufficient drinking, frequent diarrhea or poisoning of the child are accompanied by fluid loss, and, as a result, dehydration develops. One of the manifestations of this condition will be very dry skin in a child, which can be corrected by moisturizing the face and body with baby light cream or milk.

The skin of a child only over the age of 6 years becomes like that of an adult. And up to this age it is characterized by high permeability and therefore loses natural moisture much easier and faster. It is more vulnerable to injury, and through damage it can become infected, especially in infancy. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor and care for her every day.

If the baby has foci of irritation or dryness as a reaction to food, contact with a substance, after exposure to the sun, we recommend that you consult a doctor. Causes and treatments are always different, and the wrong drugs and creams can lead to serious skin lesions.

External factors that cause dry skin in a child

Dry skin in a child in a year can be not only due to medical problems. Improper or excessive care, too frequent bathing, improper diet, climate affect the condition of the dermis. Using very hot water or very hard water when washing will dry out the skin. We recommend that you pay attention to special mild detergents, control the temperature of the water when bathing (not higher than 37 ° C), choose soft towels and use a moisturizing or nourishing cream after the bath.

Another external cause is dry air and overheating. The processes of thermoregulation in babies are poorly developed and continue to form after birth, so the baby cannot quickly and adequately respond to overheated air, or excessive wrapping. This is also due to the fact that the sweat glands after birth do not function enough, they have underdeveloped ducts. First of all, the formation of sweat glands ends on the forehead and head, then on the chest and back. The formation of the sweating function occurs over 7 years.

The use of a humidifier at home is recommended, especially in winter when the heating is on (recommended indoor humidity should be 40-70%) and the preference for light clothing that does not allow overheating (sometimes the easiest way to determine may be to feel the back and neck under clothing – they should not being hot or wet, as well as red cheeks in a baby with normal, not rough skin, are signals of overheating).

Another feature is the incomplete formation of melanin in children – a pigment that protects the skin from UVA rays. Therefore, until the age of 6 months, the baby should avoid direct sunlight, and at an older age, do not forget about sun protection. Up to a year, a child can be in the open sun for no more than five minutes a day, and only with a special children’s sunscreen. UV light dries out the skin and increases the risk of cancer.

Frost and cold air are another test. Under the influence of bad weather in autumn and winter, redness, dryness, peeling and irritation of the skin may develop. What to do to avoid dryness? Use cold cream (or emollient) about 20-30 minutes before leaving the house to prevent chapping of the baby’s face and hands.

If the dryness of the child’s skin is prolonged, then you must first consult a pediatrician to exclude various diseases. If you have a skin rash, you may need to consult a dermatologist. To cope with dryness will help following the recommendations of the doctor, as well as selected daily proper care.

Dry skin care tips for kids

Baby skin care during the day consists of several stages: washing the face, washing hands, washing intimate areas after each bowel movement, and bathing.

It is permissible to bathe a baby daily, as this not only cleanses the skin, but also soothes the child, hardens him, awakens his appetite, improves tactile and emotional skills, and improves psychological contact with parents. One of the mistakes of parents is the long-term bathing of a child in a bath with potassium permanganate. Such bathing dries out the skin and it is not advisable to use it. Contraindications for water procedures are high body temperature and the presence of purulent-inflammatory diseases or open wounds on the body.

Bathing water should be soft, if necessary – filtered. The temperature of the water should also not be high, optimally if it is 34-37 ° C. In order not to disturb the protective hydrolipidic layer of the baby’s skin, it is not recommended to use bathing products daily. Pay attention to special products for babies, which have delicate formulas, tested by pediatricians, dermatologists.

This gel can also be used to clean the head of babies and for daily intimate hygiene when changing diapers. Washing should be as gentle as possible, it is not recommended to use washcloths made of coarse materials.

After bathing, the body must be dried, apply a moisturizer. The towel should not be hard, you can not rub the baby’s skin too much, it is better to gently blot excess moisture. You can use a terry bathrobe. During the first 3-5 minutes after bathing, while the skin is still damp, it is advisable to apply a moisturizer. Can be used milk Lipikar Lait . It has a rich formula based on cold cream, a classic combination of protective lipids, enriched with shea butter (10%) to restore the lipid barrier. Suitable for very dry skin of children and adults. And niacinamide provides long-lasting comfort to even the driest, most delicate and sensitive skin.

Create a favorable microclimate in the room where the child is. The air should not be dry, the temperature should not be higher than 18-22°C. Keep an eye on humidity, ideally if it fluctuates in the range of 40-70%. To maintain humidity, you can purchase a humidifier. During the heating season, it is necessary to shield the batteries, you can cover them with a wet towel to evaporate moisture.

Choose clothes made of cotton fabric, it breathes well and perfectly absorbs excess sweat. Take air baths during diaper changes. During walks, do not wrap your baby tightly to avoid sweating.

During the summer, stay out of the sun during the hottest hours between 11 am and 16 pm, or when the UV index is above 4 (you only need to check this indicator in the Weather app on your smartphone or almost any website to determine the weather forecast). Be sure to wear a panama hat or a sun hat for your child; on the beach, it is better for a child to use a closed bathing suit or T-shirt. Do not neglect sunscreen, choose them according to the age of the child. Be sure to reapply the cream every few hours according to the child’s skin type, as well as the day’s sun exposure. When you return home, wash off the remaining sunscreen, apply moisturizing milk to the skin. For mild sunburn or redness of the skin, you can use:

What to do so that the child’s skin does not dry

Preventive measures against the occurrence of dry skin:

• regular care;
• regular drinking;
• a balanced diet with enough vitamins;
• use for the care of special soft products tested by pediatricians and dermatologists.

Baby bath and care products are labeled “suitable for use / skin care for babies and children”, “suitable for children” or the like on the packaging. Plus, as a rule, the production of children’s products has higher requirements for the safety of formulas and a stricter selection of the components included in the formula.