Skin Solutions for Your Baby

Baby Skin Care

During hot days, your baby might be more irritable. The heat could take a toll on them. Just as you want to stay in the tub or in the pool all day long, this is just not possible. Below are just a few heat-related problems and the things you can do to ease your child’s discomfort.

Diaper Rash The diaper area is always warm and moist. It also has more tendencies to accumulate dirt. All these factors bring about irritation to the surrounding skin. If you noticed that the diaper is slightly wet, change it immediately. Don’t wait for it to become too heavy or soaked. Wash the area gently with clean, warm water and apply ointment around the diaper area after each change. There are hundreds of medicines available out in the market, and your pediatrician would know what is best for your baby. If the problem still persists even when you’ve done everything, it’s time to see the doctor.

Prickly Heat This is the result of your child’s skin feeling uncomfortable because of the warmth and humidity. Have him wear cool, lose cotton clothing as often as possible. Cool him down with a sponge bath at the end of the day. A thin layer of fragrance-free baby powder applied to affected areas also helps.

Eczema This is basically an inherited skin condition wherein affected areas are often inflamed, dry, itchy, and hypersensitive to different substances. Observe your child closely and try to identify what causes his skin to flare up. Avoid these trigger factors completely and keep him cool, clean, and comfy. Avoid rubbing and scrubbing his skin when bathing and have him wear cool cotton clothing. Always wash your hands before carrying your child, and if the irritation doesn’t disappear, clean out his cabinet and replace his things with fragrance-free moisturizers. You can also use hydrocortisone creams for a few days.

Sunburn This develops because the sun’s harmful UV rays were absorbed by the skin. This causes cell destruction and inflammation. And when you’ve stayed out in the pool too long, give your baby adequate fluids and apply cool water baths. Also be vigilant about using sunscreen. For your little one, products with titanium dioxide work best. For infants six months or younger, topically applied creams are not safe. If this is the case, avoid swimming during the peak hours of the day.

Insect Bites Bites cause inflammation and allergic reactions that vary in degrees. Once your child has been bitten, recourse is to apply cool wet dressings, lotions with menthol or topical steroids to soothe the itch and control the inflammation. An antihistamine also helps if there is a somewhat severe reaction to the bite. Wrap them in proper clothing whenever you decide to leave the house. Lotions with citronella, menthol, or neem tree extracts are also known to be helpful.

As a parent, it is your job to keep your child comfortable. It would be smart to stock up on creams and lotions because these things can happen when you least expect them.