Skin Care

New parents are often surprised to find the skin of their newborn isn't "soft as a baby's bottom", but instead spotted with patches of dry skin. These dry patches are normal, and usually flake off on their own within a few weeks. Sometimes, however, the dry skin persists or increases. There are many causes for this, the most predominant of which is sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is easily irritated by chemicals, soaps, and perfumes, resulting in dry, itchy, flaky, often reddened areas of skin. Use the following suggestions to heal dry skin, and to prevent it from recurring.

BECOME A SKIN DETECTIVE

If the irritation occurs in areas that are often in contact with fabrics, such as abdomen and legs, try different laundering methods. Switch to a perfume-free detergent, try different fabric softeners or eliminate softeners altogether. Treat baby's clothing and bedding to an extra rinse to remove excess cleaning products.

If the irritation occurs in other areas, such as baby's face, check out your bath products. Switch to a  mild, perfume-free soap, use cooler bath water, and make sure to moisturize the skin while still damp. Lotions work by sealing in moisture that is already present. If the skin is dry when lotion is applied, the lotion will prevent the skin from becoming drier, but it won't add moisture. Again, a perfume-free product designed for sensitive skin works best.

A SKIN-FRIENDLY ROUTINE

Maintaining healthy skin for babies with sensitive skin requires consistency. More often than not, if a parent relaxes efforts at skin maintenance, the child's skin will react with more dry patches that need help. Assuming your baby does not have allergies, use the following routine to care for your baby's skin:

1. Bathe your baby in lukewarm water. Less is more with cleansing products. Babies typically don't get very dirty. Wash with water only, adding soap every other bath. The soap should be mild and perfume-free.

2. Pat your baby with a towel - don't rub. Friction can cause irritation. While your baby is still damp, apply a quality, perfume-free lotion.

3. Continue to use perfume-free laundering products, and dress your baby in natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton.

OTHER COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS

Many babies suffer from a condition called cradle cap. Cradle cap occurs when dry skin builds up on the baby's scalp, and can result in large crusty patches, usually on top of the head and on the soft spot. Unlike other dry skin problems, this usually requires gentle scrubbing to remove the flakes. Prior to bathing, apply a coat of vegetable oil or petroleum jelly to the areas in question. Leave this on for a few minutes, and then gently rub the area. Wash the child's hair as usual. A few applications may be needed but this should work for most cases.

Most babies will get at least one diaper rash. Allowing the diaper area to dry, and applying a zinc oxide ointment to the area whenever the diaper is changed, generally treats mild rashes. If the rash becomes raw and weeping, it typically means that the diaper is being soiled too frequently and too much acid is preventing the skin from healing. Reduce or eliminate juice and fruit consumption for a few days, and change the diaper more frequently. When changing the diaper, cleanse the skin with a soft cloth, gentle soap and water.

Healthy skin helps keep baby happy and comfortable. Your Pharmassist pharmacist is available to help you select skin care products for you and your family.