Living with dry skin is unpleasant and can become uncomfortable for you and your baby, especially since their skin is extremely delicate. If your baby’s skin feels rough and flaky, he probably has dry skin. No fear! This is a fairly common condition, and there can be many causes.
It must be considered that the epidermis of infants and children is extremely sensitive. When they are still small, it does not have a sufficient protective barrier to cope with external agents (environmental and chemical), as is the case for adults. Therefore, in the case of dry skin, the skin loses water and is permeable to external agents, causing redness, dryness, and annoying dermatitis in children. But what exactly are the causes that can make your baby’s skin dry?
Dry Skin In Children: What Causes It?
Several factors can contribute to irritation and dry skin in our children; the parts most affected by this problem are the knees, hands, elbows, and face. The face, in particular, is the most delicate part and most exposed to atmospheric agents such as sun and wind, which are particularly aggressive for the skin of the little ones. In addition to external influences, several other factors can cause dry skin. Let’s see them together:
- Too frequent baths and the use of detergents not suitable for children;
- Excessive sun exposure, especially without sunscreen;
- The cold and the wind in the winter months, a period in which more time is spent at home with the heating on which, can affect the health of the child’s skin;
- Pollen, dust, or food allergies.
How To Cure Dry Skin In Babies?
If your child has dry skin, you don’t have to worry too much, but paying particular attention and care is important to protect it from external attacks. It is essential to adopt a few small precautions daily to prevent and treat dryness and redness for the skin’s health. First of all, it is essential that the child with dry skin drinks a lot of water daily to hydrate the skin, and above all, it is important to soften it through specific emollient products. For everyday hygiene, giving the baby a few short baths is recommended, but even a simple shower can be enough.
The temperature of the water must be lukewarm, and it is recommended to add rice starch to the water, which helps hydrate the skin with its refreshing and soothing properties. It is best to use mild pH-neutral detergents, soaps, or plain bath oil for bath products. You must choose detergents and soaps with a protective, moisturizing, and regenerating action on the hydrolipidic film, without perfumes and potentially irritating substances.
When the skin cannot hydrate itself, it is possible to do so through creams and oils rich in vitamins and plant extracts, which must be easily absorbed and restore nourished and hydrated skin. However, hydration is not only important after bathing. The creams and oils must be applied at least twice daily on your child’s body. Even during the diaper change, it is essential to always use a soothing cream to prevent redness and dryness of the skin. The cream must create a protective and breathable barrier to keep the skin healthy by allowing it to breathe.
We must also pay particular attention to reducing the discomfort caused by dry skin when choosing our children’s clothes, preferring natural and breathable fibers such as cotton or linen. The same attention must also be paid when washing clothes, using delicate detergents and softeners, ideal for sensitive skin. Last but not least, for the health of the skin and of the child in general, it is essential for our little ones to live in a healthy environment, encouraging life in the open air and making them follow a correct diet rich in vitamins and minerals—water (which must never be missing), especially in the hottest periods.
Dry Skin In Children: When To Seek Medical Attention
Dry skin disorder in children usually resolves spontaneously after the first three years of life, when skin tissue and sebum production normalize. However, suppose your child’s dry skin tends to redden, become moist, and itchy, especially at night. In that case, you must ask the pediatrician for a consultation, who will decide whether to subject the child to a more in-depth dermatological examination.
Also Read: How To Prevent Mask Irritation
