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Next of Skin
We're all familiar with the phrase "soft as a baby's bottom", here are Ways to keep your baby's skin soft
By Lucy Dimbylow
Cotton clothes let skin breathe, and any sweat will evaporate instead of being trapped next to your little one’s skin.
“Your tot’s skin is very sensitive - it’s just 30 per cent thinner than an adult’s, but with the same number of sensory endings. He relies on touch as his other senses are still immature.”
A bright red, bumpy rash in the folds of your baby’s skin or where his clothes fit tightly is probably a heat rash. It develops when your baby sweats so much that his pores clog up, causing irritation.
Many babies love bathtime, but don’t let him wallow for too long. Water itself can dehydrate the skin, and wrinkly fingers and toes are a sign that he’s been in the tub long enough. |
Plump, peachy soft and irresistibly silky… your baby’s skin just screams out to be touched. Okay, so at first it might look a bit odd - blotchy, wrinkly and coated with the sticky white vernix that protected him in the womb. But soon, his skin will be transformed into a thing of beauty that you simply can’t keep your hands off.
Touch is important for your baby, too. Even before he was born, he could feel your touch through your bump. As he grows, his sense of touch helps him explore his environment and bond with you. If his skin is healthy, he’ll look beautiful, and feel happier and more confident.
Your baby’s skin is his largest organ, a thin but surprisingly tough barrier that protects him from the environment, helps regulate his temperature and is full of nerve endings that make him responsive to touch. It renews itself completely every 52 to 75 days throughout life, a process that begins even before your baby’s born.
But because the skin’s a living, breathing organ, it’s also susceptible to a whole range of spots, rashes and infections that can be distressing for you and your tot. So, what should you do if your baby comes over all blotchy? Read on for our guide to dealing with the most common skin conditions.
SPOT THE PROBLEM
Eczema
One in five children suffers from eczema, a condition that causes dry, itchy, red and cracked skin. It’s most common on the hands, elbows, knees and face. If your baby scratches, his skin can become sore and even bleed, leading to infection.
Eczema is usually treated with special moisturisers called emollients, which are available as creams and bath products. They help soothe and heal the skin and are available over the counter, but consult your doctor ? he’ll prescribe the most appropriate sort.
If your little one’s eczema is severe, your doctor may prescribe steroid creams. Be sure to follow the directions carefully to minimise side effects. Antibiotics may also be necessary if a skin infection develops.
To help protect your tot from eczema, aim to breastfeed exclusively for six months. Keep your house as dust-free as possible and wash your baby’s bedding regularly. Overheating can make itching worse, so give him cool baths and dress him in cotton clothes.
Heat rash
A bright red, bumpy rash in the folds of your baby’s skin or where his clothes fit tightly is probably a heat rash. It develops when your baby sweats so much that his pores clog up, causing irritation.
Although it’s not serious, heat rash is very itchy. It’s also a sign that your baby is too warm. Give him a cool bath, place damp face towels over the irritated areas, and leave him naked for a while so the sweat can evaporate. Lotions and ointments can make the pores even more clogged. Instead, use calamine lotion to soothe the itching.
The best way to avoid heat rash is to stop your baby overheating. Stay in the shade on hot days and dress him in loose, light clothing.
If your baby develops a high temperature (over 37.5 deg C), give infant paracetamol, but always follow the instructions. If his temperature stays high, contact your doctor.
Psoriasis
This is easily mistaken for eczema, but generally looks worse - look out for thick, red, scaly patches, particularly on your tot’s elbows and knees. The tendency to develop psoriasis is genetic, and an outbreak usually happens two weeks after your baby has a virus, when his immune system is low. It’s more common in adults than in children - only 10 per cent of adult sufferers had the condition as a child.
Psoriasis isn’t contagious, but it looks nasty and feels uncomfortable. Your doctor will advise you about treatment, which usually involves a steroid cream to ease the discomfort, and a vitamin D-based ointment to treat the scaly skin.
Regular tepid baths can help, but use lots of moisturiser afterwards to lock moisture into the skin. Spending some time in the sun - just five minutes a day to start with - may also be beneficial. If your baby’s condition is severe, your doctor may recommend regular artificial light therapy. The good news is that psoriasis often goes away, or at least gets better, as your tot gets older.
Milia
Around half of all babies are born with milia, or milk spots ? tiny white bumps on the face and shoulders. They’re caused by traces of your hormones hanging around in his system after the birth. Although they might bother you, they won’t cause your baby any discomfort.
Milia doesn’t need any treatment, other than keeping your baby’s face clean by washing it with plain water once or twice a day. Don’t squeeze the spots or apply any lotions - you’ll just break the skin and introduce infection. Just be patient - milia usually disappears completely within six weeks after the birth.
Diaper Rash
Almost all babies get a sore bottom from time to time. Diaper rash is usually caused by your baby’s pee and poop irritating the skin, making it red, inflamed and sometimes dry or pimply. Contrary to popular belief, teething doesn’t cause nappy rash, but it can be a side effect of diarrhoea, and, in a few cases, be triggered by food allergies.
The best way to protect your baby from diaper rash is to change his diaper as soon as it’s wet or dirty. Clean his skin thoroughly and dry it well, so there’s no dampness left in the creases. Let him kick about diaper-free after a change, so the air gets to his skin and helps it heal. You can also apply barrier cream to form a protective layer between his diaper and skin.
Diaper rash usually clears up in three or four days. If it persists, or becomes weepy or yellow (signs of infection), contact your paediatrician. He may suggest using an anti-fungal cream for a few days.
Cradle Cap
Lots of babies suffer from cradle cap - greasy, yellow scaly patches on the scalp. It’s more common in the first few weeks of life, although no one quite knows what causes it. It looks nasty, but is temporary and harmless, and not uncomfortable for your tot.
Cradle cap usually heals without any treatment. You shouldn’t pick it, as this can cause soreness and even make your baby’s skin bleed. If the scales bother you, try massaging a little olive oil into your baby’s head before bed. This should loosen the dry skin enough for you to comb it away the next morning, or wipe it off with a damp face towel. Keep your baby’s head uncovered to let air get to his scalp and help it to heal.
If cradle cap doesn’t clear by itself, talk to your pharmacist about over-the-counter shampoos that might improve your baby’s skin.
CARING FOR YOUR BABY'S SKIN
It’s impossible to overestimate how important your little one’s skin is for every aspect of his wellbeing, from bonding to confidence to making sense of the big wide world around him. So, if his skin becomes sore, itchy and irritated, chances are he’ll feel pretty miserable, so looking after it properly is a must.
Newborn
Clean his diaper area after every change to prevent diaper rash. Wipe off any poop with a tissue, then, using cotton wool and cooled, boiled water, lift his legs and clean all the skin creases, wiping downwards and away from his body. Then, using more damp cotton wool, clean the diaper area. Wipe from front to back for a girl, to avoid transferring bacteria from her bottom to her vagina.
Before putting a clean diaper on, dry your little one’s bottom with a tissue or clean towel, particularly in the creases, then let him kick about for a while to let the air get to his skin. If he’s prone to diaper rash, you may want to use a barrier cream.
In between baths, you can “top and tail” your baby - not as brutal as it sounds, honest! It simply means washing his face, neck, hands and bottom, without undressing him completely. Use cooled boiled water and a clean piece of cotton wool for each stroke. Pat him dry with a soft towel - don’t rub, as this can make his skin sore.
When you bathe your baby, wash his hair with a damp cloth and a tiny bit of baby shampoo, and use cotton wool to clean his face. Don’t use too much soap (if any) - it will dry his skin. Afterwards, gently towel your baby dry, making sure you get into all his skin creases. If his skin is prone to dryness, you may want to use a mild baby lotion to keep it soft, moisturised and kissable.
Baby
Once your baby is crawling, eating solids and into everything, he’ll need bathing more often, as bacteria on his skin can cause infection. Many babies love bathtime, but don’t let him wallow for too long. Water itself can dehydrate the skin, and wrinkly fingers and toes are a sign that he’s been in the tub long enough.
Start using soap and shampoo, but these products can strip skin of its natural oils, so choose brands that are designed for sensitive or baby skin, and rinse it off thoroughly.
You’ll probably need to “top and tail” your little one at least once a day, and wash his hands and face after every meal. Pay particular attention to the creases in his neck, where grime collects and can cause irritation. The good news, though, is that his skin is stronger now, so you can use mild baby wipes, making diaper changes and quick clean-ups easier.
Toddler
Many children go through a phase of hating baths and hair washing, but you do need to make sure he at least has a daily wash to get rid of grime and avoid sore skin. Adult bathing products are still too harsh for your tot’s skin, but toddler toiletries are gentle enough.
Now’s the time to teach your tot about looking after his own skin. Get him used to washing his hands after playing in the playground, using the potty, and before and after eating. Diaper changes might become more of an ordeal now that he’s on the move, but it’s important to change him frequently to avoid diaper rash. If pinning him down is a challenge, try pull-ups instead.
Should I worry about...?
Your baby’s skin seems so fragile - surely everything you put on it is bound to cause a horrible rash? Lindsey McManus of medical charity Allergy UK tells us if we need to be concerned.
Washing powder
Your baby’s clothes need to be washed regularly, but many mums worry that washing powder itself could cause skin irritation. McManus recommends using non-biological washing products to reduce the risk of skin sensitivity. “Also, look for washing powder that has been dermatologically tested to minimise the chance of skin problems,” she advises.
Synthetic fibres
The shops are full of cute clothes, but synthetic fibres like nylon can be harsh on your baby’s skin. “Sensitive skin needs to be kept cool, or it can become very irritated and itchy,” says McManus. Cotton clothes let skin breathe, and any sweat will evaporate instead of being trapped next to your little one’s skin.
As for whether you go one step further and buy organic cotton clothes, that’s a personal choice, she says. “The cotton won’t have been treated with pesticides or finishes, so it may be better for very sensitive skin. Organic clothing is expensive, though.”
Washing new clothes before use
Do you really need to wash all your baby’s new clothes before he wears them? “It doesn’t do any harm,” says McManus. “Most clothes are treated with special finishes, to make them crease-, stain- or fire-resistant. Washing them before the first wear in a mild detergent will remove the excess and could help to avoid skin irritation.” It will also soften them up and remove any shop soiling, so they’re gentler on your little one’s skin.
Baby wipes
Are wipes really unsuitable for newborn bottoms? Not necessarily ? if you steer clear of fragranced products. “When the word ‘parfum’ appears on a package, that could be any one of 200 different chemicals, which can be very harsh on your baby’s skin,” says McManus. “If you use wipes and toiletries, choose perfume-free ones.” Also, avoid products containing alcohol, which can dehydrate the skin, causing stinging. Many professionals still advise against using any products for the first eight weeks, but the latest mild wipes are as gentle as water alone.
Food sensitivities
Intolerance to certain foods can cause skin reactions in childhood, says McManus. “Dairy, eggs and fish are among the most common causes, with dairy, in particular, being linked to eczema,” she explains. “If your baby develops a rash when you’re weaning, it may indicate a food intolerance, but take him to your paediatrician to get checked out.” When weaning, introduce foods one by one, so you can identify if anything causes a reaction, and wait until at least six months before giving him potential trigger foods like dairy, fish and wheat. “If you’re worried, ask your paediatrician to refer your baby to an allergy specialist,” McManus adds. “Don’t just cut out food groups without advice, as it may lead to nutritional deficiencies.”
Your Baby’s Skin Problems
Worried about eczema, bathtime or which products to use? Mother & Baby nurse Jackie Walsh offers her advice.
Q: My toddler suffers from eczema and scratches herself red raw. How can I stop her scratching?
A: Ensuring that your daughter’s skin is moisturised will reduce dryness and make it feel less itchy. Your paediatrician will prescribe emollients and bath additives. These treatments need to be used as prescribed ? apply the emollient cream regularly throughout the day, and don’t add any other products to your daughter’s bath. Dress your daughter in cotton clothing, so she doesn’t overheat, use light bedding and keep her nails short so she doesn’t damage her skin.
Q: I have trouble getting my 18-month-old to have a bath, and often only manage to give him a thorough wash once a week. Will this damage his skin?
A: Only having a thorough wash once a week will not damage your toddler’s skin. Make sure you dry him thoroughly ? if he runs off still wet, it may lead to sore skin, especially in his skin folds. If you feel your son is frightened of baths, try to increase his confidence with water in other ways, for example, swimming and watching you have a bath.
Q: My little boy is nearly 2 and I’ve never been able to pull back his foreskin to wash under it. Does he need to be circumcised?
A: Your son is perfectly normal and there’s no need to worry. In early childhood, the foreskin will not usually retract over the end of the penis (glans), and will only gradually be able to be pulled back during the first five to eight years. Never attempt to pull it back forcibly, as this will hurt him. All you need do is wash the end of his penis with ordinary soap and water in the bath.
Q: My 3-year-old has eczema, and my paediatrician wants me to use steroid cream on his skin. Is this safe?
A: Steroid creams can be beneficial in treating eczema. As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions, your child shouldn’t have any problems. |
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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