A baby’s skin is different and way more delicate than that of an adult. This makes it more prone to getting affected by external agents that cause rashes, irritation, or dryness. Dry skin in babies usually does not require medications for treatment, as simple home remedies may be sufficient. Read on as we tell you details about dry skin conditions in babies, preventive measures, and ways to treat them.
Newborn Skin Peeling
Peeling of the skin is completely normal in newborns and requires no treatment (1). At birth, a newborn’s skin is thinner, less hairy, and has fewer sweat glands (2), as it is covered with various fluids such as amniotic fluid and vernix (a cream-cheese-like substance that covers and protects newborn’s skin from right inside the womb) (3). These fluids are wiped off after birth, exposing the baby’s skin to natural elements outside the uterus for the first time. This renders the baby’s skin susceptible to peeling in the initial weeks of birth. The amount of peeling depends on whether the baby was premature, full-time, or overdue. Premature babies have more vernix, and thus the skin peeling for them is usually less when compared to over-due or full-term newborns (4). Experts state that newborns do not need any additional moisturization or lotions in the first month of their life (5). Nevertheless, parents may apply lotion after consultation with a pediatrician. Just as in newborns, skin dryness is common in babies too.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Skin In Babies?
Here is what you notice when a baby has dry skin (6):
White scales that peel at the edges Roughness and scaly texture Flakiness when the skin is rubbed Dry red patches Fine to deep cracks on the skin, and deeper cracks may bleed occasionally Overall skin appears tight and overstretched
Symptoms of dry skin in babies can help in identifying the cause. However, the causes could be diverse and may range from day-to-day skincare issues to some medical conditions such as eczema.
What Causes Dry Skin In Babies?
Dry skin (medical term: xeroderma) is fundamentally caused by loss of skin moisture, which leads to cracking and peeling of the epidermis – the uppermost layer of the skin (7). Factors that affect the epidermis are: These are the usual conditions that a baby is quite likely to encounter every day. But dry skin could also be an indicator of a serious skin problem.
Skin Problems That Cause Dry Skin
The dryness of the skin can be the result of the below-mentioned skin conditions or diseases: There are a plethora of reasons behind dry skin in babies. However, most of them could be dealt with simple and natural home remedies under pediatric guidance.
Home Remedies For Dry Skin In Babies
Prevention and management of dry skin are easy if you follow some simple and natural home remedies.
When To See A Doctor?
Spare no thought and take the baby to the doctor when dry skin is accompanied by any of these conditions (6):
Bleeding from the cracked skin Intense itching that makes the baby uncomfortable Pus or yellowness on the dry skin patch Swelling of the skin Dry skin accompanied by fever Dry skin causing colic outbreaks
These conditions are treatable. Continue reading to find out how.
How To Treat Dry Skin In Babies?
Dry skin is caused due to a variety of conditions, and hence, the treatment varies. The various methods are mentioned below (20).
Topical ointments for eczema, psoriasis, and cradle cap provide relief and prevent dry skin. Such topical creams and ointments target the fundamental problem of dry skin.
A moisturizing lotion is prescribed by the doctor for everyday use, depending on the intensity of the infant’s dry skin.
Liquid bandages are given to infants with severely cracked and bleeding skin. Liquid bandages work like regular bandages and can be purchased over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.
