Dry skin in babies and children

Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can strip skin of its natural moisture in winter. In the summer, babies with dry skin also have patches of flaky skin from intense sunlight, air conditioning, salt water, and chlorine in pool water.

1.1. Cut down on bath time Bathing dries out your baby's skin by stripping away the skin's natural oils along with dirt. Doctors say that as long as you take some precautions, you can still bathe your baby every day as usual.
Instead of a 30-minute bath, reduce bathing time for babies with dry skin to about 10 minutes. Adjust the water to warm (not hot) and less soapy. Experts suggest you should choose an unscented and gentle shower gel, with less detergent than regular soap.
Let your child have time to play in the tub before bathing, so he won't ask for a long stay with soap. Limit the appearance of soap bubbles on the water to avoid stimulating the child's interest. If you want, you should only let your baby play this game on special occasions, instead of every bath as a habit.
While bath oils may seem like a good idea for babies with dry skin, they can make the tub dangerously slippery. Applying emollients and moisturizers after bathing is a better way.
1.2. Apply moisturizer After getting your child out of the tub, quickly dry with a towel, then apply moisturizer immediately. Applying moisturizer within a few minutes of bathing will help keep water on your baby's skin.
For moisturizer, the general rule is to apply as thick as possible. If your child has dry skin even with daily moisturizers, try switching to a thicker lotion or ointment. Ointments are great for keeping the skin moist, but can feel greasy. So just use a small amount and gently apply it to your baby's skin.
You can also moisturize twice a day - once after showering and once during the day. If midday baths aren't appropriate, you can let your child listen to a favorite song or watch a video while applying moisturizer. For babies who are old enough, let them apply the cream on their own.

1.3. Do not expose your skin to salt or dry chlorine Both chlorine and salt water can be very drying. After swimming in a lake or sea, rinse your baby with tap water, then apply lotion while the skin is still damp.
1.4. Turn on the humidifier If the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier in your child's room.
1.5. Make sure to provide enough water Baby's skin is dry due to lack of moisture, so don't forget to give your child plenty of water to compensate for moisture evaporating from the skin. For babies, breastfeed or formula feed for at least the first 6 months, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
However, drinking a lot of water will not help if you do not moisturize your baby. Just like pouring water into a bucket with holes in it, without a moisturizer to keep it hydrated, your baby's skin won't stay hydrated enough.
1.6. Protect your child from the elements Wear gloves in cold windy weather to keep the skin of the hands from drying out and cracking. No matter the season, take steps to protect your baby's skin from sunburn and wind chill.

1.7. Avoid harsh ingredients Do not apply baby powder or perfume to children with dry skin . Consider using unscented laundry detergents. If your baby's skin is especially sensitive, you can wash your baby's clothes twice to remove all the soap residue.
If your baby has dry and sensitive skin, don't let him wear tight or rough clothes. You should also keep in mind that some fabrics, such as wool, can be particularly irritating to dry skin. In addition, do not forget to cut short and keep your child's nails clean if the child has itchy, irritated skin.
2. Is dry skin a sign of some other condition? Babies and children can experience dry skin just like adults. In fact, because a baby's skin is more delicate, it is more prone to dryness. If there are itchy red patches on the skin, the child may have eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. However, sometimes eczema will also heal with regular moisturizing. So there's no need to rush to see a doctor unless the patches don't go away or your child seems itchy or uncomfortable despite trying to treat them at home.
In rare cases, a baby's dry skin can be a sign of an inherited condition, called ichthyosis. It manifests as dry, scaly skin and sometimes redness, and thickening of the palms and soles. If your child is suspected of having the disease, a dermatologist will evaluate and treat it.

At your child's next routine checkup, ask the doctor how to care for your baby's dry skin. Schedule an appointment if you think your child is showing signs of eczema or ichthyosis, as well as when he or she is not responding to home treatments, or you see signs of an infection, such as yellow discharge or swelling. irritation on the skin.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining respiratory diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, respiratory infection, pneumonia In children, dermatological diseases....With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline for support.

Reference source: babycenter.com