Best Ways to Prevent Baby??s Dry Skin Problems of August 2022

Every newborn and infant has sensitive skin. The skin can get drier and itchy due to poor protection. So, what to do if baby has dry skin?

You have to understand why babies experience dry skin problem before trying a cure. Unlike adults, babies have underdeveloped oil-producing glands. Lack of oil causes dryness of the skin and concerns many parents.

Protecting the baby against skin issues would be easier if you learn ways to keep his skin well-moisturized. Check this post to get a comprehensive guide on how to treat dry skin issue in babies.

What are the Causes of the Dry Skin Problem in Babies?

The following reasons are responsible for the dry skin issue in babies:

Thin and delicate skin:

Babies have quite thinner skin in comparison to adults. A little negligence can cause skin allergies. Parents need to follow a flawless skincare routine to protect the baby against climate, allergens, and pollutants.  

Inefficient sebum secretion:

Babies are born with a protective skin layer, which keeps your child safe against skin issues. This layer vanishes after 2 months and your baby’s skin doesn’t produce enough sebum to prevent skin dryness.

As mentioned earlier, babies have underdeveloped oil glands. The lack of oil results in poor protection against dryness. That’s why most infants have dry skin after 2 months and they require a better skincare routine to stay healthy.

Excess sweating:

Does your baby sweat a lot? He is finding it quite difficult to cope with scorching summer days. Increased humidity levels also cause sweating and babies lose a lot of water. You need to control the temperature and humidity in your home to comfort the baby. His skin will get drier and he may get heat rashes if you don’t condition the interior environment properly.

Climate and environment changes:

Your baby needs a different kind of skincare routine in each season. His skin needs protection against prickly heat in summer and dryness in the winter season. Switch to a better skincare routine to prevent skin dryness and other allergic reactions.

Why Dry Skin is a Concerning Issue?

Dryness of skin does not cause a major health problem. However, a minor health issue can also be quite discomforting for your baby. It can lead to atopic eczema and other skin problems. This skin condition will be quite irritating and discomforting for your baby. Therefore, dry skin is a concerning skin condition.  

Dryness and lack of water:

Most infants experience dry skin condition due to a lack of water. Babies lose a considerable amount of water due to sweating in the summer season. Parents should wipe that sweat and moisturize the baby’s skin. Use a moisturizer that contains water-locking ingredients. It will comfort your baby.

Cracked and rough skin:

A baby’s skin can get rougher due to a poor skincare routine. The baby will experience skin inflammation and itching problems. Apply an ointment or a moisturizing cream twice a day. Always clean the baby and moisturize his skin whenever moving out of the house.

You have to protect your baby against cold air, which can cause skin dryness and discomfort. Put on some winter clothes after applying a moisturizing lotion. Your baby will need another layer of moisturizer in the next 3-5 hours. Follow this skincare routine and your child’s skin won’t dry in the winter season.

Skin allergies:

Babies can experience skin allergies due to many reasons. Heat rashes, nappy rashes, eczema, etc. affect the baby’s health when parents don’t follow a perfect skincare routine. You need to keep the house clean to protect the child against allergens. Clean your infant regularly and moisturize his skin time and again to prevent allergies and rashes.

How to Cure Dry Skin in Newborns and Infants?

Focus on the below-explained tips to learn what to do if baby has dry skin:

Keep the bath short and warm:

Some parents use hot water to bathe the baby. Hot water and soap remove the protective oil layer from the skin and cause dryness. Lukewarm water is perfect to give your child a comforting bath. You should not bathe the child for more than 5 minutes. Take him to the washroom, clean with a mild soap, and then wash his skin. A 3-5 minute bath is perfect to keep the child healthy and improve his skin condition.

Hydrate your baby’s skin:

Newborns and infant gain the necessary amount of water from milk. They can quickly lose water and minerals when they sweat. Apply a thick moisturizer and keep his room’s temperature under control. Thus, your baby’s skin will stay well-hydrated throughout the day.

Hydrate your child:

Feed the infant on demand to keep him full and well-hydrated. Feed him water time and again when the child is 6 months old. The baby can also consume soups, smoothies, and juices after 6 months. So, feed him more fluids along with complementary food and breast milk. Thus, your child will stay fit, healthy, and well-protected against skin allergies.  

Maintain the indoor environment:

Do not let the indoor air get hotter because it will get drier. Your child won’t be able to adjust to such a toasty environment. Use an air conditioner or room cooler to cool down the indoor air and maintain proper humidity levels. Remember, the baby can also get heat rashes if you can’t provide a comforting indoor environment!

Get ready for the winter:

Most babies face dry skin issue during the winter season. Cold and dry air can severely affect the child’s skin. Get some comforting winter clothes for your child. Keep his head, hands, and legs covered to avoid cold. Apply a balm on your baby’s lips and don’t let him lick it. Keep his cheeks and skin moisturized to reduce the harsh effects of cold air.

Do not let drool and sweat dry!

Babies can start drooling after 3 months. Babies cannot wipe drool on their own. Therefore, you should always be on drool alert. Use a soft cloth to wipe drool and your baby’s sweat. Drool rash and heat rash risks will reduce significantly if you follow this tip!

Is Dry Skin and Eczema the Same Skin Issue?

Parents get worried when they spot dry skin patches on the baby’s skin. They think it is eczema because both skin conditions have similar symptoms. However, dry skin and eczema are two different skin conditions. Focus on the following things to differentiate between dry skin and eczema issues:

Appearance:

Unlike dry skin, eczema patches look unique. The baby will have rough and scaly skin due to dryness of the skin. Eczema causes reddish or pinkish patches on the baby’s skin. Those red skin patches are accompanied by inflammation and itching. There won’t be any red bump on your baby’s skin if he has a dry skin condition.  

Affected skin areas:

Dry skin symptoms mainly appear on the baby’s cheeks, feet, hands, and lips. Eczema symptoms can appear behind ears, around elbows, knees, and also on the baby’s scalp. Eczema symptoms appear in areas that are not prone to dry skin symptoms. That’s the way to recognize  

Irritation and inflammation:

Babies become restless when they are suffering from eczema. Cold and moist air causes itching and therefore babies can’t sleep or lie down calmly. Such issues do not occur when the baby has dry skin.

How to Prevent the Dry Skin Issue in Babies?

Try the following tactics to prevent the dry skin issue in babies:

Pick your baby’s skincare products carefully:

Babies have delicate skin. Harsh chemicals used in soaps and cosmetic products can cause significant damage to the baby’s skin. Therefore, parents should carefully pick skin care products for babies. You should prefer natural or herbal skin care products, which contain no synthetic ingredients. Carefully assess the ingredient list to ensure the moisturizing lotion is harmless and effective.

Control humidity and room temperature:

Your baby won’t get heat rashes and dry skin if you can maintain a comforting environment in his room. The humidity level should be 30%-60% and the temperature should be 25°C-30°C. Use a high-quality air conditioning unit to control the indoor environment effortlessly. These precautions will protect your child against many skin issues.

Do not expose your baby’s skin to harsh weather and products:

Your baby’s skin is not thick enough to cope with the adverse effects of harsh weather. He cannot take a hot bath and regular soaps are quite harmful to newborns and infants. Keep harsh products away from your child until he is 3 years old.

Conclusion

The dry skin issue troubles all age people. Adults can deal with it effectively, but babies rely on their parents to stay healthy. This post has taught you what to do if baby has dry skin.

Assess the symptoms carefully to recognize the type of skin issue. Once you are sure it is a dry skin issue, try the suggested treatments to protect your baby. Some simple precautions and a skincare routine will ensure your baby is well-protected against skin dryness and allergies.  

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