Dry skin from water in a child. Why does a child have dry skin: causes and methods of care

In some children, parents notice the appearance of dry and rough skin. These changes may not be observed on the whole body, but in separate places: on the face, on the arms and legs, on the head or behind the ears. You need to tell the pediatrician about these changes and find out the reason for their appearance.

In this article, we will consider the causes of such a phenomenon as rough skin in a child, and also describe the most popular recommendations of pediatricians on this issue.

Causes of dry and rough skin

Dry skin in a child can be a manifestation of some diseases.

The reasons for the appearance of dry skin of the baby can be different:

The sudden appearance of reddish rashes on the face and roughness may be a manifestation . Such a change in the skin is due to an excess of hormones in the child's body, and such a rash disappears by about one and a half months of the baby. The skin on the face will again be clean and soft.

2. Roughness of the skin may result from impact of external factors:

the influence of dry air and lack of fluid in the body;
lack of vitamins;
the quality of bathing water and the use of decoctions of some drying herbs (strings, oak bark, chamomile, etc.);
exposure to the skin of frosty air or wind; in this case, spots of rough skin appear mainly on open areas of the body;
frequent use of shampoo (even high-quality) can contribute to the appearance of dryness and roughness of the skin on the head;
excessive passion for baby powder can also “dry out” the delicate and easily injured skin of a baby.

Dry skin and roughness can be one of the disease symptoms:

congenital, in which increased appetite and thirst, increased blood glucose levels are also characteristic;
congenital (reduced thyroid function): as a result of slow metabolism, the renewal of the surface layer of the skin is disrupted; the most pronounced dryness of the skin in this case in the area of the elbow and knee joints.

Roughness of the skin may indicate hereditary pathology ( manifestations of genetically determined roughness appear before the age of 6 years, more often from 2 to 3 years):

about ichthyosis, in which, as a result of gene mutations, the process of keratinization of skin cells is disrupted: at first, the skin becomes dry, it becomes covered with white or gray scales, then the rejection of scales is disturbed, and the body eventually becomes covered with them like fish scales. Apart from skin manifestations, there are dysfunctions internal organs, metabolic processes;
hyperkeratosis, a disease in which there is an increased thickening, keratinization of the surface layer of the skin and a violation of its rejection. These manifestations are most pronounced in the feet, elbows, thighs and scalp. The reasons for this pathology are not fully understood. Apart from hereditary factor, are important for the occurrence of hyperkeratosis and others: dry skin of the child; avitaminosis of vitamins E, A, C; side effects of hormonal drugs; stress; hormonal changes during puberty of adolescents; excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays; ; influence of detergents.

can also cause rough skin in children.

But most often, pink and rough cheeks and buttocks can be a manifestation (the outdated name for this condition is “exudative diathesis”). It can appear as dry, rough spots on different parts of the body. This is a disease of an allergic nature, expressed in the reaction of the skin to the effects of various allergens.

The risk of allergies in a child may increase when the mother is treated with hormonal and other drugs during pregnancy, her uncontrolled intake of multivitamin complexes, and women smoke during pregnancy and lactation.

Long-term breastfeeding is a good protection for the baby from allergies. The nutrition of a nursing mother is also important, the exclusion from her diet of seasonings, smoked, fried and fatty foods.

The hereditary predisposition to allergies is also important, not only through the mother, but also through the father (they have allergic diseases of the type,).

Allergens for a baby can be:

foodstuffs, including milk adapted formulas or even mother's milk; in older children, allergies are provoked and intensified after eating sweets;
clothes made of synthetic fabrics;
washing powder and other hygiene products (soap, gel);
pet hair;
tobacco smoke (passive smoking);
aquarium fish and food for them.

Dry skin with allergies can also be local in nature, for example, it appears in a baby behind the ears. When the infection joins, crusts can form, weeping with bad smell. True, such manifestations behind the ears can also be associated with errors in caring for the baby, and not with allergies: when regurgitation, vomit flows into the behind-the-ear region and is not removed from there in time.

Why does an allergy affect the skin?

The bottom line is that an allergy is a response of the body to a foreign protein (antigen). In response to a signal about the foreignness of the protein, an antibody is produced to neutralize it. This forms an antigen-antibody complex that causes an allergic reaction.

It is known that an allergy can also be caused by a substance that is not a protein. In this case, this non-protein substance combines with a protein in the blood, and such a protein, which is own for a given organism, is already regarded as foreign, and antibodies are produced against it.

The immature enzymatic system of the child's body is not able to properly break down certain foods, and they become allergens. In another case, the product entered the digestive system "in excess" - this situation occurs when the child is overfeeding. Enzymes in this case are not enough, and the product (protein) remains undigested, not split.

Foreign protein (or incompletely digested) is absorbed into the blood. From the blood, these substances can be excreted through the kidneys, through the lungs and through the skin (with sweat). The skin reacts to them with a rash, redness and itching.

Given the above, it becomes clear why it is so important not to overfeed the baby, not to overload his immature digestive system. This statement is confirmed by the fact that in a child during an intestinal infection, when the load of food is noted and significantly reduced, the manifestations of allergic dermatitis decrease.

Clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis depend on the age of the child. In infants, it manifests itself mainly in the form of dry skin, peeling on the face, scalp, diaper rash, even if good care for the child. The main symptom is redness, itching, roughness and peeling of the skin on the cheeks and buttocks.
With proper treatment, the symptoms are easily relieved. Untreated children older than a year the deeper layers of the skin are affected, as evidenced by the appearance of vesicles and sores. The affected areas appear on the trunk and limbs. The child is worried about severe itching. A bacterial or fungal infection may join with the development of complications.

In children older than a year, atopic dermatitis acquires a protracted course with frequent exacerbations. The process can turn into eczema (dry or weeping). In the absence of treatment, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma can join the skin manifestations.

Dr. Komarovsky about allergic dermatitis:

Prevention of atopic dermatitis

From the first weeks of a baby's life, parents should take care of the baby's health.

Breastfeeding plays an important role in the prevention of allergies. A nursing mother must be carefully observed, exclude spices, smoked products, canned food, exotic fruits, chocolate from her diet, and limit the amount of confectionery.
Systematically monitor the temperature and humidity in the room for the child - use hygrometers and thermometers. The temperature should be within 18-20 °, and humidity - at least 60%. If necessary, use humidifiers, and if they are not available, place containers with water in the room or hang a damp towel on the battery.
Baby underwear should be made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen). Allergic children are better off not buying items outerwear from wool or natural fur.
Wash children's clothes and bed linen only with gentle ("children's") powders.
Bathe your baby with baby soap should be no more than once a week. Bathing water is better to use purified, or at least separated and boiled.
During the day, instead of washing, you can use special hypoallergenic wet wipes.
When using disposable diapers several times a day, you should undress the baby and give him air baths.
Before going for a walk (20 minutes before), you need to use moisturizers to treat exposed skin.
With a genetic predisposition to allergies, pets, carpets should be removed from the apartment, and the baby’s games with soft toys should be excluded.
Several times a day, wet cleaning of the premises with water without the use of chemicals should be carried out.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis

Treatment of this disease is not an easy task. It requires joint efforts of doctors and parents. Treatment is divided into non-drug and drug.

Non-drug treatment

If a child with atopy is on breastfeeding, then the mother should follow a hypoallergenic diet.

Treatment always begins with the establishment of nutrition for the child. The first step is to identify and eliminate the food allergen. If the baby receives breast milk, you should analyze the mother’s diet together with the pediatrician and track which product causes skin manifestations in the child.

Attention should also be paid to the issue of the regularity of the mother's stools, since when the absorption of toxins from the intestines into the mother's blood increases. These toxins can then enter the baby's body with milk and cause allergies. For a mother, she can use lactulose, glycerin suppositories, increase the consumption of fermented milk products.

At artificial feeding It is advisable to transfer the child to soy mixtures to exclude allergies to cow's milk protein. Such mixtures include Bona-soy, Tuteli-soy, Frisosoya. If there is no improvement, the baby is transferred to mixtures based on protein hydrolysates from cow's milk ("Alfare", "Nutramigen").

If dermatitis develops after the introduction of complementary foods, you should return the baby for 2 weeks to his usual diet. Then start complementary foods again, strictly observing the rules for its introduction: each New Product to enter, since the minimum dose, for 3 weeks. In this way, a food allergen can be identified.

If the child is older than one year, a daily log of all the products received by the child and a description of the condition of the skin should be kept. The most allergenic foods (fish, eggs, cheeses, chicken meat, citrus fruits, strawberries, etc.) should be excluded, and then given to the child only one product at a time for 2-3 days and skin reactions should be monitored.

Sweets are absolutely contraindicated for such children: they increase fermentation in the intestines, and at the same time, the absorption of allergens increases. The use of kissels, honey, sweet drinks will lead to deterioration. Products containing stabilizers, preservatives, emulsifiers and flavor enhancers are prohibited for allergic children. It should be remembered that imported exotic fruits are also treated with preservatives to increase their shelf life.

It is very important to provide a sufficient amount of drinking to the child, regular stool. The safest remedy for constipation in infants is Lactulose. You can also apply Normase, Duphalac. These drugs do not cause addiction.

It is very important that the child does not overeat. A bottle-fed baby should make a very small hole in the nipple on the formula bottle so that he eats his portion in 15 minutes and gets a feeling of fullness, and does not swallow in 5 minutes, requiring more food. You can also reduce the dose of the dry mix before diluting it. This question is best discussed with the pediatrician.

When reaching the age for the first complementary foods, it is better to start with vegetable puree from one type of vegetable. The most low-allergenic vegetables are cauliflower and zucchini.

Regulating the nutrition of the child, the adverse effects of the environment should also be eliminated. The air in the children's room should always be fresh, cool and humidified. Only in such conditions can sweating and dry skin in a child with dermatitis be prevented.

Family members should only smoke outside the apartment. Contact of the baby with smoking family members should be minimized, given the allocation harmful substances in the exhaled air of a smoker.

Wet cleaning of the premises, elimination of “dust accumulators” (carpets, soft toys, velvet curtains, etc.), exclusion of contact with pets will help to achieve success in treatment. We must also remember to wash toys regularly with hot water.

All children's clothes (underwear and bed linen) must be made of cotton or linen. After washing children's things with a hypoallergenic phosphate-free powder, they should be rinsed at least 3 times in clean water. In especially severe cases, the last rinse is also carried out with boiled water. The child's dishes should be washed without the use of detergents.

Dress your child for a walk according to the weather. Do not wrap your baby to avoid excessive sweating. Staying outdoors should be daily at any time of the year and in any weather - at least 3 hours a day. In winter, we must not forget to treat the baby's face with a greasy baby cream before a walk.

Very important in atopic dermatitis is skin care, not only in the stage of exacerbation of the process, but also during remission. Bathe the child daily in filtered or at least settled (to remove chlorine) water. Decoctions of herbs (nettle, yarrow, burdock root) can be added to the water, excluding the use of herbs with a drying effect.

When bathing, do not use a washcloth, and use baby soap and neutral shampoo only once a week. After swimming skin dry gently with a soft towel and lubricate immediately with baby cream, moisturizing milk or moisturizing lotion.

Lubrication should be carried out throughout the body, and not just in the affected areas. Preparations containing urea (exipial M lotions) moisturize the skin well. Bepanten ointment has proven itself well as a skin care product. It has not only a moisturizing effect, but also a soothing itching and healing effect.

It is necessary to wash the child's face and perineum frequently. You can use wet hypoallergenic wipes manufactured by well-known companies.

It is also important to observe the regime of the day, sufficient duration of daytime and nighttime sleep, normal psychological climate in family.

Medical treatment

Drug treatment of atopic dermatitis is carried out only on prescription!

Sorbents (Smecta, Enterosgel, Sorbogel) can be used to remove toxic substances from the body. If the child is breastfed, then the mother of the child also takes the drug.

If rough spots cause itching and anxiety in the baby, then Fenistil ointment can be used to treat them.

As prescribed by the allergist, creams or ointments containing. For deep lesions, ointments are used, and for superficial lesions, creams. These hormonal drugs must be strictly dosed. It is impossible to change the dose and duration of their use on their own. Cancellation of the drug should be only gradual, over several days.

In this case, both the dose of the ointment and the concentration of the drug may decrease. To reduce the concentration, the ointment is mixed in a certain proportion (prescribed by a doctor) with a baby cream. Gradually in the mixture increase the portion of the cream and reduce the amount of ointment.

Hormonal ointments give a quick effect, spots of roughness and redness disappear. But these drugs do not act on the cause of the disease, and if it is not eliminated, then changes on the skin will appear again in the same or in other areas.

Hormonal ointments (creams) are usually combined with the use of Exipal M lotions, which helps to reduce the duration of treatment with hormonal drugs, and, therefore, reduces the risk of side effects from the use of steroids.

Lotions have not only a moisturizing effect, but also an anti-inflammatory effect, equated to the action of hydrocortisone ointment. In the mild stages of dermatitis, lotions can give a positive effect without hormonal agents.

There are two forms of Excipial M lotions: Lipolosion and Hydrolotion. Excipial M Hydrolotion is used to moisturize the skin of children in the period of remission of dermatitis. The action of the drug begins 5 minutes after application. It can be used from birth. And Excipial M Lipolosion should be prescribed during exacerbations of dermatitis. The lipids and urea contained in it protect the skin from fluid loss, and the moisturizing effect lasts for about 14 hours. It is approved for use from 6 months of age.

The lotion is applied to the baby's skin three times: in the morning, immediately after bathing and before bedtime. With an exacerbation of the process, the lotion is applied the required number of times to ensure constant skin hydration. Regular use of lotions reduces the frequency of relapses.

In severe forms of the disease, calcium preparations (Glycerophosphate, Calcium Gluconate), antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, Cetrin, Zirtek) are additionally prescribed. But keep in mind that a side effect of these drugs can be dry skin. Therefore, antihistamines are used for persistent itching. At night, Phenobarbital is sometimes prescribed, which has a hypnotic and sedative effect.

Summary for parents

The appearance of rough, dry skin in a child should not be taken lightly. This should be regarded as an alarm signal of the child's body. Most often, these "non-serious" manifestations are symptoms of atopic dermatitis. This disease can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders in early childhood and the development of severe allergic disease in the future.

Dermatitis should be treated as soon as it is detected. It is with high-quality treatment in the first year of life that a child can be completely cured. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome both household and financial problems that arise during the treatment of a baby.

There are no unimportant components in the treatment. All the components of therapy - from proper nutrition, daily routine and baby skin care and ending with drug treatment is the key to a successful outcome. Only thanks to the efforts of the parents in this case, the child will cease to be allergic, and he will not be threatened by the development of eczema or bronchial asthma.

Which doctor to contact

If the child's skin changes, first of all you need to contact the pediatrician. After excluding external causes (malnutrition or skin care), the child is referred for a consultation with a specialist: a dermatologist, an allergist, and, if necessary, an endocrinologist.

Ekaterina Morozova

Reading time: 6 minutes

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One of the most common causes for a young mother to visit a pediatrician, this is the appearance of rough dry spots on children's skin. This problem is most common in infants - in almost 100% of cases. However, most often the problem is quickly and easily solved.

What can be hidden under the peeling of children's skin, and how to prevent it?

Causes of dry and rough spots on the skin of a child - when to sound the alarm?

Any manifestation of dry "roughness" on children's skin is a sign of some kind of disturbance in the body.

Mostly, these disorders are caused by illiterate care of the baby, but there are more serious reasons, which is simply not possible to find on their own.

Adaptation. After a cozy stay in his mother's tummy, the baby finds himself in a cold "cruel" world, to which he still needs to adapt. His delicate skin comes into contact with cold / warm air, rough clothes, cosmetics, hard water, diapers, etc. The natural reaction of the skin to such irritants is various kinds of rashes. If the baby is calm and healthy, not capricious, and there are no redness and swelling, then there is most likely no strong cause for concern.
Too dry air in the nursery. Note to mom: humidity should be between 55 and 70%. You can use a special device, a hydrometer, during infancy. It is especially important to regulate the level of humidity in the nursery in winter, when air dried by heating affects the health of the baby by peeling the skin, disturbing sleep, and susceptibility of the nasopharyngeal mucosa to viruses attacking from outside.
Illiterate skin care. For example, the use of potassium permanganate when bathing, soaps or shampoos / foams that are not suitable for children's skin. As well as the use of cosmetics (creams and talcs, wet wipes etc.), which can cause dry skin.
natural factors. Excess sun rays - or frost and chapping of the skin.
Diaper rash. In this case, flaky skin areas have a red tint and clear edges. Sometimes the skin even gets wet and peels off. As a rule, if everything has gone so far, it means that the mother simply launched the problem. Solution: change diapers more often, arrange air baths, bathe with decoctions of herbs in boiled water and use special means for treatment.
Exudative diathesis. This cause usually manifests itself on the face and near the crown of the head, and in a neglected state - throughout the body. The symptomatology is simple and recognizable: red spots with the presence of white scales and vesicles. The problem appears due to violations in the nutrition of the mother (approx. - during breastfeeding / feeding) or the baby (if he is an "artificial").
Allergic diathesis. 15% of babies in the 1st year of life are familiar with this misfortune. At first, such rashes appear on the face, then they pass to the whole body. Allergies can manifest themselves as itching of the skin and anxiety of the crumbs.
contact dermatitis. The scheme for the occurrence of this cause is also simple: rough roughness appears on the feet or hands, accompanied by burning and pain due to exposure to soap or friction, chemical products, etc.
Eczema. A more severe version of dermatitis. Pour out such spots usually on the cheeks and on the forehead in the form of various red spots with fuzzy borders. Treat eczema in the same way as dermatitis.
Worms. Yes, yes, there are skin problems and because of them. And not only with skin. Main features: bad dream, grinding of teeth at night, lack of appetite, constant fatigue, pain near the navel, as well as rough spots and sores.
Lichen. It can occur after relaxing in a public place (bathhouse, beach, swimming pool, etc.) from contact with foreign animals or infected people, depending on its type (pityriasis, multi-colored). The spots are pink only at first, then they turn brown and yellow, appearing throughout the body.
Pink deprive. Not so common disease. Manifested from sweating in the heat or after hypothermia in winter. In addition, pink spots (may itch) all over the body, may be accompanied by joint pain, chills and fever.
Psoriasis. A non-contagious and hereditary disease that worsens with age. Peeling spots have different shapes, and can occur on the head and any limbs.
Lyme disease. This nuisance happens after a tick bite. It appears first with burning and redness. Requires antibiotic treatment.

What to do if the child has very dry skin - first aid for the baby at home

For a mother, dry spots on the skin of her child are a reason to be wary. Self-medication, of course, should not be done, a visit to a pediatric dermatologist and receiving his recommendations is the main step. The specialist will do a scraping and, after receiving the results of the analysis, will prescribe treatment in accordance with the diagnosis.

For example, antihistamines, special vitamin complexes that increase immunity, antihelminthics, etc.

Mom's desire to save the baby from incomprehensible peeling is understandable, but you need to remember what you can not do categorically:

Apply ointments or creams based on hormonal preparations. Such remedies give a quick effect, but the cause itself is not treated. In addition, these funds themselves can harm the health of the child, and against the background of an imaginary improvement, time will be lost to treat the cause itself.
pick off the crusts (if any) on similar spots.
Give medicines for allergies and other illnesses with an unexplained diagnosis.

First aid for a child - what can a mother do?

Assess the condition of the baby - are there any accompanying symptoms, are there any obvious reasons for the appearance of such spots.
Eliminate all possible allergens and eliminate all possible external causes of stains.
Put away Stuffed Toys from the room, allergic foods from the diet.
Use products that are acceptable for the treatment of dry children's skin and various skin manifestations. For example, a regular baby moisturizer or bepanthen.

Prevention of dryness and flaking of the skin in a child

Everyone is familiar with the well-known truth that it is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it for a long and expensive time.

Dry skin and the appearance of flaky spots are no exception, and you need to think about preventive measures in advance.

For mom (before childbirth and during feeding):

Eliminate bad habits.
Carefully monitor your diet and daily routine.
Walk regularly (this strengthens the immune system of both mother and fetus).
Follow the diet while breastfeeding.
Use only high-quality mixtures of well-known manufacturers.

For baby:

Remove all objects that collect dust from the children's room, including the canopy over the crib.
Limit all possible contact of the crumbs with pets.
Wet cleaning - daily.
Maintain the desired level of humidity in the room (for example, by buying) and ventilate it regularly.
Bathe the baby in water at 37-38 degrees, without using soap (it dries the skin). You can use (on the recommendation of a doctor) or special moisturizers for children.
Use baby cream (or bepanten) before a walk and after water procedures. Children's cosmetics, if the child's skin is prone to dryness or allergies, should be replaced with sterilized olive oil.
Remove all synthetics from the children's closet: linen and clothes - only from cotton fabric, clean and ironed.
Choose a gentle washing powder for washing baby clothes or use laundry / baby soap. For many toddlers, skin problems disappear immediately after moms switch from powders to soaps. Rinse clothes thoroughly after washing.
Do not overdry the air with air conditioners and additional heating devices.
Timely change the baby's diapers and wash after each "trip" to the toilet.
More often arrange air baths for the baby - the body must breathe, and the body must be tempered.
Do not wrap the child in "a hundred clothes" in the apartment (and on the street, too, dress the baby according to the weather).

And don't panic. In most cases, this problem is easily solved by following the rules for caring for the little one and with the help of Bepanten.

Site site warns: self-medication can harm the health of the baby! The diagnosis should be made only by a doctor after the examination. Therefore, if you find symptoms, be sure to consult a specialist!

In children, the skin is always soft and smooth, but sometimes it becomes dry and rough, which cannot but disturb parents. They have to establish the reason why a child has dry skin at a year or older, and then eliminate it on their own or with the help of doctors. We will look at the main causes and methods of effective treatment.

Why does a child have dry skin

Dry skin on the body of a child aged 1 to 10 years can have a variety of causes, including diseases, external influences and other disorders in the body.

Rash on the body

One of the reasons why a child has dryness on the face or other parts of the body is the occurrence of acne. This unpleasant violation is due to the excess content of hormones in the body, against which a rash appears. For this reason, dry skin can be detected in a child of 1-2 years old, but gradually the condition returns to normal.

External influences

Dry skin in a child at 5 years of age from birth may be due to external influences, including lack of fluid in the body or dry air in the room. Other popular reasons include:

lack of vitamins;
poor water quality;
exposure to wind or frost;
too frequent use of powder;
frequent use of shampoo when washing children 5-10 years old.

Diseases

In certain cases, very dry skin in a child 2 years of age or older is a symptom of certain diseases. Among them, the most common are:

Diabetes mellitus, accompanied by increased appetite and intense thirst.
Congenital hypothyroidism, in which the material metabolism slows down and the regeneration of the surface layers is disrupted.

There are many other diseases that cause dry skin in a child under 10 years old, but they should be determined by a pediatrician.

hereditary factors

Due to heredity, dry skin can occur in a child from 2 years to 5-6 years. Violation is caused by factors such as:

ichthyosis;
hyperkeratosis.

In the first case, gene mutations disrupt the process of keratinization of epithelial cells. First, dryness occurs, after which light scales appear on the body and their rejection is disturbed, and the body gradually becomes like fish scales. Additionally, symptoms associated with disruption of the internal organs and metabolic processes appear.

With hyperkeratosis, which causes thickening and keratinization of the surface layers of the epithelium, dry skin in a child is most often found in the following areas:

hips;
elbows;
head.

The exact causes of the violation are not fully understood, but hyperkeratosis occurs not only due to heredity, but also for other reasons: beriberi, taking hormonal drugs, excessive exposure to UV rays, digestive diseases.

Allergic causes

Dry skin in a child of 2 years or at another age sometimes has allergic causes, among which atopic dermatitis is distinguished. It is accompanied by the formation of rough dry spots in different parts of the body. The disease is allergic in nature and occurs against the background of exposure to various allergens.

Often, very dry skin in a child at 1 year of age manifests itself against the background of the fact that his mother took hormonal drugs during pregnancy or used vitamin complexes uncontrollably.

To reduce the risk of developing allergies and dry skin in a child aged 2 years and older, mothers need to take care of breastfeeding even in infancy. During this period, you can not eat fatty and fried foods, smoked meats and seasonings.

Dry skin in a child at 5 years of age may have causes due to exposure to allergens. Children of other ages are not immune from this either. Various foods act as active allergens, including:

dairy products and sometimes infant formula;
washing powders and soap;
synthetic clothing;
pet hair;
aquarium fish and their food;
tobacco smoke in the air.

Video

How to prevent dry skin in a child

Preventing dry skin in a 9-year-old child or at another age can be different ways. First of all, stop abusing hygiene products. At a young age of up to 2 years, you need to bathe the baby with decoctions of chamomile or string, which create anti-allergic and restorative effects.

An important role is played by the temperature of the water used for swimming - no more than 37 degrees is recommended. Hotter water causes dry skin in a child even at 7 years and older.

Many parents believe that excessive dryness is due to strong winds outside or freezing air. These factors also have a certain impact, but this is not the main thing. Too dry air in an apartment or house can cause dryness, which negatively affects the baby's skin. In this case, it is recommended to install a humidifier at home and ventilate the rooms more often.

Do I need to see a doctor if my child has dry skin and flakes?

Any pediatrician will tell you exactly why the child has very dry skin and what to do. Feel free to ask questions to the doctor, after all, we are talking about the health of the baby. Not always the violation is caused improper care or allergies, and sometimes the reason is dangerous diseases mentioned above.

When the child has dry skin of the body and the causes are established, the doctor selects the appropriate drug. Many parents buy urea creams from pharmacies, but sometimes they do not help. The pediatrician must select the concentration of the active ingredient. For example, a cream containing 5% urea is not suitable for children under 10 years old. A high concentration of the component causes pain. Children require creams with a minimum urea content.

An important role is played by the seasonality of the manifestation of the violation and its root causes. Sometimes doctors are forced to take into account the individual characteristics of the body, so you need to be especially careful when taking medications.

When very dry skin is found in a child aged 5 years or older, doctors often prescribe Excipial-M, which is sold in pharmacies in the form of hydro or lipo lotion. The urea content in it is different, so the pediatrician should prescribe the drug.

Additionally, to eliminate the dry skin of the baby, it is necessary to treat the initial disease that provoked the development of dryness.

What to do if dry skin appears in children in winter

Quite often, the causes of dry skin in children are associated with the season. A symptom appears in the autumn-winter period, when windy and frosty weather is outside the window. Even babies at 1, 2 or 3 years old experience excessive dryness of the skin, to combat which parents need to follow a few simple rules:

Humidification of the air in the house where the baby is. If there is no special humidifier, you can throw wet towels on the batteries: this simple method will help maintain even when the batteries are on.
Regular hydration. After bathing, it is recommended to moisturize the child's body with a quality balm or other cosmetic. It is necessary to choose hypoallergenic products that do not irritate delicate skin kids.
Sufficient drink. You can get rid of dry skin in a child at 6, 7, 8 years old or another age by teaching him to regularly consume a sufficient amount of liquid.
Vitamins. Take care of the sufficient intake of vitamins in the child's body with food or as part of additional multivitamin complexes.

Summing up

Summing up, we give a few useful advice parents. Dryness in a child 1.5 years old and older is an unpleasant phenomenon that must be dealt with. Treatment should not be started, even if you find dry skin on the cheeks of a child or on another small surface of the body. The sooner you contact a pediatrician, the easier and faster the treatment will be.

Soft, tender, velvety - that's how we usually talk about baby's skin. But even if the child is healthy, it does not become so immediately after birth.

Why? Alexander Prokofiev, dermatovenereologist, medical expert at La Roche-Posay, explains: “After a baby is born, his skin needs to adapt to environment. In newborns, this process has not yet been completed, so their skin is characterized by increased dryness, more prone to irritation, redness, and it is easier to injure it. With age, these features disappear.

Usually, by the age of two, the upper stratum corneum of the epidermis thickens, and the skin becomes more protected from external influences. The sebaceous and sweat glands begin to work more actively, the process of thermoregulation gradually normalizes.

Normally, the skin of the child should be pale pink and have good turgor, that is, be soft and elastic to the touch.

Causes of dry skin in children

“Children's skin can become dry under the influence of both external and internal factors,” says Alexander Prokofiev. Let's list the external causes.

1
Wrong care

Using detergent more than once a week is too hard water for bathing (it is better to pass it through the filter).
2
Sun exposure without protection

The skin of the baby is not able to resist the effects of UV rays, so children under one year old can be kept in the open sun for no more than five minutes a day, and even then “under cover” of special children's creams with a high SPF.
3
Dry indoor air and overheating

Superheated air is a test for the child's imperfect thermoregulation system: the skin turns red, becomes hot, and irritation appears. The same thing happens if you over-wrap your baby.
4
Weather impact

Cold air, in contact with delicate baby skin, can cause redness, dryness and irritation.

Internal factors may be due to:

malnutrition, which is expressed in a lack of vitamins;

lack of water;

some diseases, primarily skin and endocrine;

circulatory disorders;

helminthic invasion.

What does dry skin mean in a child?

Very dry baby skin is a cause for concern. It is more vulnerable, easily injured, and damaged skin is more susceptible to infections, especially in infancy.

In addition, dryness can signal the presence of:

atopic dermatitis;

ichthyosis (violation of keratinization of the skin, which manifests itself in the form of the formation of scales);

other diseases, including diabetes.

If dryness is a constant symptom of your child's skin, it makes sense to first consult a pediatrician and then see a dermatologist for appropriate treatment.

Dry patches of skin on the face and body of a child

Rubbing shoes and clothes can also cause redness and flaking of baby's delicate skin. Sometimes the cause of hypersensitivity is the disease, which was mentioned above. In any case, choose clothes and shoes for your baby from natural materials, and for washing, use baby hypoallergenic powders. As a preventive measure for dry feet in summer, it is better to wear open shoes.

How to eliminate dry skin

Use moisturizing creams, lotions, or body milks made specifically for baby skin. On such funds it is always written what age they are intended for.

Bathing water should not be hot. The optimal temperature for the bath is 36–37 degrees.

Bathe your baby every day, but use detergents no more than once a week. Choose special delicate formulas for this.

Moisturize dry areas with baby cream, milk or lotion.

Precautions for dry skin

Dry skin brings a lot of anxiety to the child. She itches, itches, flakes - all this becomes the cause of whims and bad mood. What can parents do in this situation? First of all, eliminate any factors that provoke dry skin of the baby.

1
It is undesirable to use soap when bathing and washing, it dries out the skin.
2
Washcloths made of coarse materials are also harmful. Washing should be as gentle as possible.
3
Do not wrap your baby during a walk to avoid sweating.
4
Do not self-medicate. If dry skin persists, see your doctor.

Rules for care at different times of the year

The skin of a child needs protection in both heat and cold.

Remember that you can not be in the sun during the hottest time, from 11 am to 4 pm. On the beach, be sure to put on a T-shirt and panama for the baby, use baby sun protection. After returning from a walk, wash off the SPF cream and apply a moisturizer to the skin.

Exposure to cold and dry indoor air contributes to excessive dryness of the skin. Install a humidifier in your home or regularly cover the batteries with a wet towel. Moisturize your baby's skin after bathing.

In extreme cold, 30 minutes before going outside, apply protective cream. For example, restorative and healing agent Cicaplast Baume B5 from La Roche Posay. This balm will save delicate skin from frost and wind.

Prevention measures

To avoid dry skin, offer your child to drink frequently. Make sure he has enough vitamins in his diet. Moisturize your baby's skin after bathing. In care, use only hypoallergenic products tested by dermatologists.

The composition of creams should include moisturizing and soothing ingredients: panthenol, niacinamide, oils (shea, olive, wheat germ), zinc oxide, vitamins A, B, E, F, plant extracts (chamomile, calendula, string).

Baby's skin should be smooth and soft. Therefore, if a child has dry skin, this should alert parents. It is necessary to establish the cause of increased dryness of the skin and eliminate it. Experts call many reasons for this condition in children. In some cases, parents can cope with the problem on their own, while in others it is necessary to seek help from a doctor.

Causes and treatment

In young children, the skin is very delicate and sensitive, it quickly reacts with irritations to environmental influences. Therefore, often the cause of dry skin in a baby is dry air in the room, especially if its temperature is higher than normal. This problem is especially aggravated during the heating season, when the air in the apartment has low humidity. Humidification of the air in the room can be a way out of this situation. To do this, you can use special humidifiers or simply spray water around the room. Some mothers use old proven methods - they hang a wet towel on the radiator, put a saucer of water in the room. Water gradually evaporates, humidifying the air in the room.

Another cause of very dry skin in a child can be improper bathing. Sometimes mothers bathe babies in water with the addition of a solution of potassium permanganate, which dries the skin very much. Do not bathe your baby in too warm or hard water. It is good to use boiled water for bathing in the first three months of a child's life. soft water. You should also carefully choose detergents for the baby. Baby soap, foam, shampoo should be hypoallergenic with a neutral pH. If after using the detergent the child's skin becomes dry, it is necessary to change it to another. Do not use detergents with a pronounced color and smell for bathing children. Such shampoos, foams contain artificial colors and flavors that can provoke an allergic reaction in the body.

In addition, you need to choose wisely washing powder for washing children's clothes. It is best to purchase special baby powders, the packaging of which indicates that they are hypoallergenic.

Many pediatricians recommend iron baby clothes and clothes in the first three months after birth. They claim that this will help prevent dry skin in children. The fact is that after washing, traces of washing powder and rinse aid remain on the baby’s clothes. They can be removed with a hot iron. You need to iron from the inside, that is, from the side that is in direct contact with the skin of the baby.

Quite often, children have dry skin on their feet. It is on the legs that the skin can be dry to such an extent that it loses its elasticity, cracks form on it, which begin to inflame and hurt. In this case, the baby needs more time to walk with open legs. If this happened in the warm season, he needs to wear as open shoes as possible. At the same time, if a child has dry skin of the feet, he should not walk barefoot, so that dirt and dust do not get into the cracks on his feet. Be sure before going to bed, the baby should wash his feet with mild soap, dry thoroughly with a towel and lubricate with a special emollient cream.

In some children, dryness affects certain areas of the body, in others it can be all over the body. First of all, the child must be shown to the doctor so that he establishes the cause of dry skin and, if necessary, prescribes treatment.

If increased dryness skin caused insufficient activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, no special treatment is required. As a rule, the doctor prescribes a course of vitamin A for a period of two months, sometimes the course of therapy is repeated. Depending on the severity of the pathology, the doctor may additionally prescribe vitamin E, calcium supplements, fish oil.

The child is recommended to spend every evening warm baths for 10-15 minutes. For baths, it is good to use infusions or decoctions of medicinal herbs, such as chamomile, string, nettle, sage. After bathing, the baby's skin should be lubricated with a moisturizer. nourishing cream. These creams often contain vitamin A.

Dry skin is a symptom of the disease

Sometimes increased dryness of the skin can be a symptom of a certain disease. Of course, in addition to such a symptom, in most cases there are other manifestations of pathology. But in some cases, dry skin in a baby becomes the first sign of the disease. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor in time for help in order to timely establish a diagnosis and begin treatment.

Consider what diseases most often cause dry skin in a child:

Atopic dermatitis is a condition in which the baby's immunity is unnecessarily "aggressive" to all irritants. It is from dry skin that the manifestations of this disease begin. Then redness, severe itching, rashes, peeling of the skin appear on the affected areas of the skin. Usually, skin lesions are localized on the face, while not affecting the nasolabial triangle. In the absence of adequate treatment, the process worsens, an infection may join. About 80% of children suffering from atopic dermatitis are under one year old.
Ichthyosis is a genetic disease in which the process of keratinization of the skin is disrupted. It is an extensive lesion of the skin in the form of layers of scales, as a result of which the skin is very dry and rough. The skin of the extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees, the cheeks and forehead is mainly affected.
Hypovitaminosis A and PP - deficiency of vitamins A and PP in the body. In this condition, the skin becomes dry with slight pityriasis peeling. Timely diagnosis and the intake of the necessary vitamins by the child leads to a complete cure.

Dehydration of the body. The younger the child, the less perfect is the regulation of water-salt metabolism in the body. Fluid loss in children may be associated with dyspeptic disorders (vomiting, diarrhea), severe sweating.