The skin of a newborn baby [structural features, functions, care, review of hygiene products]

Problems with the skin of a newborn are a frequent phenomenon, every child will encounter them to one degree or another. These problems are due to adaptation to the new environment. During fetal development, the child is in an aquatic environment with a constant temperature, and after birth, the body needs to adapt to an air environment saturated with microorganisms at a lower temperature.

Consider the physiological characteristics of the skin of young children in more detail.

Features of the structure of the skin of a child

The skin of newborns consists of only 3 layers: basal, spiny and horny. The remaining layers are formed a little later.

Another physiological feature of the skin in infancy is its high water content and many vessels with thin permeable walls. Therefore, children’s loose skin is so prone to allergic reactions.

It is the skin that is one of the first organs that undergoes structural changes. The most important changes that adapt the skin to the environment occur during the first 6-8 weeks of a child’s life.

These include:

• increase in cell density of the stratum corneum of the skin,
• an increase in the thickness of the epidermis and an increase in the barrier function of the skin of newborns,
• reducing the risk of pathogen penetration
• maintaining optimal body temperature,
• as well as reducing transepidermal water loss.

These factors may influence the development of some skin conditions, but are not signs of any disease.

What is the skin pH of a newborn baby?

In the first days after birth, the skin of a newborn has a neutral pH – 7. But after 2-3 months it changes to a more acidic one – this significantly increases the protective properties of the epidermis.

Functions of the skin of a newborn

The skin of an infant, like the skin of an adult, performs several functions.

But there are differences:

• protective function. It is very poorly developed, since the dermis is very delicate, ph is neutral, and the lipid layer is insufficient.
• suction function. Is at an excellent level for the same reasons as described above.
• respiratory function. Through the skin, 10 times more oxygen penetrates into the baby’s body than into the body of an adult.
• excretory function. Practically absent. It develops only by 3 months, and the full sweat glands begin to work by 3 years.
• thermostatic function. It is also poorly developed, because the sweat glands are not developed.
• Synthetic function (for example, the formation of vitamin D). It starts working only by 3-4 weeks from birth.
• Tactile function. Well developed.

Skin color of a newborn baby

What kind of skin should a newborn baby have normally? At birth, in the first hours of life, the epidermis may be dark – with a bluish or purple tint. This feature is due to the still weak blood circulation. In the future, hemoglobin in the blood rises, the baby’s skin brightens and acquires a red tint. After 2-3 days, the redness disappears, the skin color changes again and may acquire a yellow tint. Normal pink or white skin color in the baby appears by the end of the first week of life.

And now let’s deal with the typical skin problems that parents face.

Erythema on the skin of newborns

This is a typical and very first reaction of a newborn to the outside world. Expressed by local redness, which may be accompanied by a small rash. It is a variant of the norm, passes within 1-2 days, treatment is not required.

Skin care for the umbilical wound of the baby

It concerns absolutely all parents, therefore it is necessary to carry it out carefully and correctly in order to avoid such complications as omphalitis (inflammation of the navel).

Care of the umbilical process and the umbilical wound must be carried out daily. Most often, the remnant of the umbilical cord falls off on days 4-5, and the navel is completely healed by about 10-14 days. In order for the healing process to occur quickly, and also to prevent infection, it is important to carefully care for the umbilical wound.

Make sure your baby’s belly button stays dry and clean. With a cotton swab dipped in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, we carefully process all the folds of the umbilical ring. To dry the umbilical process and the umbilical wound, when it disappears, use a 5% solution of potassium permanganate or a solution of brilliant green, it is also possible to use solutions of chlorhexidine or chlorophyllipt.

The navel needs to be cared for 4-5 times a day. If there is swelling or redness of the skin around the navel, then you need to contact your pediatrician.

Bathing a child is desirable already from 2-3 days of life, but you need to refrain from water procedures on the day when the umbilical residue disappears, and the next day you can resume bathing.

Dryness and peeling of the skin in a newborn

Peeling of the skin in a newborn can be both a variant of the norm and the result of improper skin care for the child. Approximately every third baby is faced with physiological dryness of the skin. Let’s see why a baby can peel off the skin and what to do in this case?

At birth, the baby’s skin is covered with the original cheese-like lubricant. Its function is to protect the baby in the womb, help with the passage of the birth canal, and it also helps protect the skin during the transition from the aquatic environment to the air.

During the first 1-2 days of life, the original lubrication is completely absorbed into the skin, however, after birth, the baby is often cleansed of abundant lubrication, and if the baby is overdue (in this case, he is born practically without lubrication), the skin begins to peel off after a few days.

This is a natural process, such dryness can last up to a month. The skin of a newborn peels off both on the face and on the body. Particularly noticeable are small silvery scales on the arms and legs.

Baby skin care during physiological dryness

Peeling of the skin in a newborn cannot be prevented, but it is possible to help restore the skin by using moisturizing lipid-replenishing agents. It is only necessary to remember that the texture of such products should be very light (milk, emulsion, moisturizing lotion), they should be allowed to be used to care for the delicate skin of babies.

One of these means is milk for dry and very dry skin of babies, children and adults Lipikar Lait. Enriched with shea butter, cold cream and thermal water, the light texture of the products is instantly absorbed without leaving a sticky, greasy feeling on the skin.

Crusts on the head of the baby

This skin condition is typical for almost 50% of babies. It is sometimes called “gneiss”, “baby cap” or “seborrheic crusts” because they resemble seborrhea. In infants, this is not a disease, but another of the adaptive responses. The reason for the appearance of crusts is the imperfect work of the sebaceous and sweat glands under the influence of transmitted maternal hormones during fetal development.

With age, the hormonal background of the child normalizes, the glands begin to work correctly, and after a short period of time, this skin condition disappears. Crusts can appear regardless of whether the baby’s hair is already growing or not. More often, crusts and greasy scales are not very pronounced and appear mainly in the region of the crown. Sometimes the crusts are large, yellowish-brown in color, located throughout the scalp and in the eyebrow area, and the baby may be disturbed by intense itching.

Baby skin care during gneiss

In no case do not try to mechanically tear off the crusts, there is a high risk of harm to health: you can easily injure the skin and cause an infection. In order to remove the crusts, you must first soften them, and then, while bathing, rinse gently so that they can be removed painlessly.

It is permissible to apply sterile oil (vaseline, olive, vegetable) to the scalp and put on a cotton cap for 1 hour – so the crusts soften. After that, the cap can be removed and gently, gently massage the head with your fingertips. Then you need to bathe the baby and gently wash off the lagging crusts from the skin. Not all crusts may come off at one time, it will be necessary to repeat the procedure several times over several days.

For gentle gentle bathing, you can use lipid-restoring emollient bath and shower oil Lipikar AP+ Oil, it gently cleanses and soothes the dry skin of babies, children and adults. Shea butter included in the composition replenishes lipids. The oil does not irritate the baby’s eyes, does not sting and the baby is comfortable.

Acne in newborns

It is also a fairly common skin problem in newborns that can be encountered. It occurs in about a third of babies. In appearance, it resembles adult acne, looks like red pimples with a white top. They can pop up on the skin of the face (cheeks, forehead, nose), sometimes on the ears, less often on the neck and back. The rashes do not itch and do not bother the child. The reason for their appearance are maternal hormones transmitted during fetal development. As the hormonal background normalizes, this problem on the skin is resolved. Sometimes a pediatrician may prescribe drying agents if there are a lot of rashes.

Sweating in infants

Another common problem for babies. It manifests itself as a multiple rash on the skin in the form of red “dots” and small pustules, localized on the face near the hairline, neck, upper chest and back. It appears as a result of overheating of the baby and insufficient hygiene (rare bathing), but it causes Staphylococcus aureus.

In order to prevent prickly heat on the skin, it is necessary to choose the right clothes, not overheat the baby and observe hygiene. Indoors, it is recommended to maintain an air temperature of 20-22 degrees, and at night – about 18°C. Wear clothes made of natural cotton fabrics for your baby so that the skin “breathes”. With enough bathing, proper care, prickly heat usually goes away on its own. For prevention, use regular bathing and air baths.

Recommended for swimming Gel Lipikar Gel Lavant, it gently cleanses and protects the sensitive skin of babies, children and adults, soothes the skin, restores the natural protective barrier.

Diaper rash in newborns

Perhaps the most common and most worrisome problem for parents. Skin diaper rash is manifested by redness and the appearance of erosions on the skin. Most often, diaper rash occurs in places of natural folds: inguinal, cervical, axillary. And if you do not follow proper care, then infection is likely to join in places of diaper rash.

The causes, as with prickly heat, are overheating of the skin, and in the buttocks and groin area, this is contact with urine and feces. Diaper rash in the groin has a special name – baby diaper dermatitis.

To avoid such skin problems in a newborn, it is necessary to wash the child after each toilet (if it is not possible, use wet wipes), as well as keep the skin open longer, carry out air baths so that the folds are completely dry.

When redness and irritation appear, it is recommended to use healing restorative agents. A revitalizing & healing skin treatment for babies, children & adults Cicaplast balm B5 has a rich nourishing texture with Panthenol in the composition, which soothes dry, irritated skin, as well as in the composition of [Copper-Zinc-Manganese] – a complex with recognized antibacterial properties.

It is acceptable to apply the balm on reddened skin, after application, you need to allow the product to be completely absorbed – arrange an air bath for the baby at this time, you can add a light stroking massage to the baby, which will help him calm down and promote the development of the baby. Then put on a fresh diaper.

It is important to remember that most of the listed skin problems occur due to the adaptation of the baby’s skin to the outside world, as well as hormonal surges and are not a sign of illness. This means that over time, the baby will outgrow most of the “children’s” problems that bother not only the baby, but also worry moms.

Proper hygiene of the skin of babies is important, regular examination of the skin of the baby, moisturizing if there is a tendency to dryness and consultation with a neonatologist / pediatrician / dermatologist if atypical manifestations occur on the skin that bother the baby and mother.