Babies and babies can suffer from dry skin just like adults. In fact, since they have more sensitive skin, they are more prone to dryness.
The cold, dry air of outdoor and indoor heating in winter can destroy the skin’s natural moisture. Babies who are prone to dry skin can also develop skin patches in the summer because the summer sun, air conditioning, salt water, and chlorine in pool water can aggravate dry skin.
If your baby’s skin is also dry, then you don’t have to worry and solve this problem using the simple solutions given in this section.
Methods of treating dry skin of infants and children
1- Reducing shower time
Bathing dries out a baby’s skin as it removes the skin’s natural oils along with dirt. Of course, as long as you observe the following points, daily bathing will not cause any problems for the baby’s skin.
Instead of taking a 30-minute shower, reduce your shower time to about 10 minutes. Use warm (not hot) water and use soap sparingly. In fact, it is recommended to use a soap-free cleanser that is much milder than regular soap.
Before washing the baby, let him play in the basin. By doing this, skin contact with the soap will be reduced. Avoid foam and bubble baths as much as possible, or at least limit them to special occasions.
Although using baby bath oil may seem like a good idea, it can make the bathtub dangerously slippery and is therefore not recommended. Applying an emollient (moisturizer) after showering is a better method.
2- Use moisturizing creams for the baby’s skin
When you remove your baby from the bath, quickly dry him with a towel and immediately apply a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer within a few minutes after getting the baby out of the bath will make the bath water stay on his skin and keep it hydrated.
The thicker the moisturizer, the better. If baby’s skin is still dry despite daily use of moisturizer, try a thicker cream or ointment. (Ointments do a good job of keeping the skin moisturized, but they can make the skin greasy. So use only small amounts and apply it gently to the skin. However, creams do not make the skin greasy and moisturize it.)
If the baby’s skin is very dry, you can use the moisturizer twice a day (once after bathing and once during the day). If the child is not cooperating with you, you can let him listen to his favorite song or watch TV while you use the humidifier. Or if he’s old enough, let him do it himself to enjoy it. The best baby skin smoothing products are here.
Read about: What makes a child beautiful? (10 foods and 5 tricks)
3- Prevent salt or chlorine from drying out on the baby’s skin
Both chlorine and salt water can be very drying to the skin. After swimming in the pool or the sea, wash the baby’s body with tap water and apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp.
4- Use the vaporizer
If the air in your home is dry, use a cool humidifier in the baby’s room.
5- Keep your child well hydrated
Dry skin lacks moisture. Give your child plenty of fluids throughout the year to replace the moisture that evaporates from the skin. (If your baby is still a baby, use enough breast milk or formula for the first six months.) Ask the doctor when you can give water to your child.
Keep in mind that drinking plenty of fluids will not relieve the pain if you do not use a moisturizer. In other words, using a moisturizer does not properly moisturize the baby’s skin and causes dryness.
6- Protect the baby’s skin from cold and sunburn
Cold and wind make the skin of the hands dry and cracked, so make sure your child wears gloves in cold weather. In addition to protecting his skin from sunburn in the summer.
7- Do not use skin irritants
Do not use powders or perfumes on the baby’s skin, and use unscented laundry products. If the baby’s skin is very sensitive, it may be necessary to wash his clothes twice to remove all soap residue.
In addition, do not wear tight or rough clothes for children with sensitive skin.
If dry skin is accompanied by itching, be careful to keep your child’s nails clean and short.
Can dry skin be a sign of another disease?
If your child has itchy red patches on his skin, he may have eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. Sometimes eczema can be treated by moisturizing the skin regularly, so you don’t need to see a doctor unless the patches get worse over time or the baby’s skin still looks itchy or very dry despite using the above solutions.
In rare cases, dry skin can indicate a genetic disease called ichthyosis. This disease manifests itself in the form of severe dryness or flaking of the skin. It may also cause thickening of the skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. If your doctor suspects your child has ichthyosis, he or she will likely refer you to a dermatologist for a more detailed treatment and evaluation.
Should I talk to a doctor about my child’s dry skin?
If you go to the doctor, talk to him about the baby’s dry skin and ways to treat it. If you think your child has symptoms of eczema or ichthyosis (as described above), be sure to see a doctor. Also, if a child’s skin does not improve with home remedies or is accompanied by signs of infection (such as a yellowish discharge or swelling around skin cracks), it is essential to see a doctor.
