Dry skin conditions in children

It is confirmed that babies and children have rather delicate skin. It can easily get dry, red and itchy, start to peel or feel rough when touched. Dry skin may appear on almost any part of the body, but it commonly affects the hands, arms, legs or sometimes the skin around the mouth.

Wintertime is probably the most likely part of the year for dry skin problems, due to cold air outside and low humidity, heat and dry air inside the house. Summer may also be problematic for kids suffering from dry skin. Their skin is more likely to get even drier after playing and sweating in the sun and especially after swimming in salty or chlorinated water (an ocean or pool).How to Prevent Dry Skin in Kids?

Some children may inherit dry skin from their parents. In that case, you have to be aware that your child is more sensitive to all the things that have a potential to dry the skin and try to prevent this condition.

Always use mild soaps and cleansers to wash your child. Some suggest using products such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar or Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar or Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash. Your child’s skin needs moisture so apply moisturizers without alcohol on the skin which is still wet after showering or bathing. Most doctors advise using thicker creams or ointments for dry skin. Apply the moisturizer several times a day and especially after swimming and showering, to prevent further drying of the skin.

Use Moisturizing lip balm around your kid’s lips and use gloves in winter time.

Humidifiers in the house or at least in your kids’ room are good idea to prevent dry air. However, be careful about this if your child has mold or dust mite allergy.

Treat It Properly

Sometimes kids already have dry skin. In order to help them use creams or ointments instead your normal body lotions and choose the greasy ones this time. Some lotions, such as Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Creme or Lac-Hydrin are also beneficial, because of the lactic acid content, which is known to hydrate the skin.

There are also more expensive but special moisturizers, designed for dry skin in kids like Burt´s Beeswax Lip Balm, Cutemol Emollient Cream, Mustela Dermo-Pediatrics, Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream or Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream.

Some pediatricians will recommend non-steroidal prescription creams (Atopiclair, Hylira or Mimyx), while others will advise parents to use OTC (over-the-counter) Hydrocortisone cream.