Just like adults babies also have dry skin as their skin is delicate and more likely to become dry also the sun, air conditioning, salt water and the chlorine in pool water can be drying.
Here's how to handle your child's dry skin;
1. Reduce bath time
Newborns don't need to be bath frequently 'cause the more you bath the baby the more natural oils are washed away and if you have to give your child daily baths, don't bath your child for more than 10 minutes. Use little soap and warm water (not hot).
2. Use moisturizer
Once you are done bathing your child, pat him dry with a towel and apply moisturizer immediately to seal in the moisture, a thicker moisturizer is always better (shea butter and coconut mixture is perfect). If moisturizers aren't good enough for your baby's skin, try ointment, moisturize twice a day after each bath.
3. Keep your child well hydrated
If your child is old enough to drink water, ensure he takes plenty water to keep his body hydrated and if your child is still breastfeeding, breastfeed frequently to ensure baby gets the benefit of the breast milk.
4. Keep your child from harsh weather
Protect your child from cold weather by wearing him or her protective clothes and gloves, during the dry season, protect your child from the sun and UV rays.
5. Avoid drying ingredients
Some parents pour powder on their baby's skin, this can dry up the skin so avoid it and do not use perfume on your baby either. Wash your baby's clothes with mild soap and rinse it twice.
Is dry skin a sign of skin problem?
If you notice an itchy red patches on your child's skin, this might be eczema, constant moisturizing should clear it up but in rare cases, dry skin can indicate a genetic condition called ichthyosis. It's characterised by dry skin with scaling and occasionally redness, the thickening of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet can also be signs of ichthyosis.
It's not life-threatening, your doctor should refer your child to a dermatologist.
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