When winter is round the corner, you can see it coming. That dryness of skin that can wreak havoc on your child’s overall sense of well-being. While skin dryness is not limited to winters, it can worsen during this period due to the reduced moisture content in the air. Everybody wants to feel their child’s supple, soft skin – so let us explore how to keep that undesirable dryness at bay.
Dry skin in kids might have several underlying causes, like extreme weather conditions, inadequate hydration or even an underlying health condition. Let us look for some home remedies that will help prevent your child developing dry skin? Read on to know more!
“Whether it is oils and creams or shampoos and soaps, they should be gentle and safe on the skin, as chemicals like phthalates and mineral oils in baby care products can be harsh and affect a baby’s delicate skin. These chemicals get absorbed immediately by the baby’s skin as it is thinner, which can cause potential harm to your baby”.
Dr. Subhashini N S, Ayurveda Expert, The Himalaya Drug Company.
5 Common Causes of Dry Skin in Children
There are certain home remedies to heal dry skin in children. However, unbeknownst to many, there are more causes for your child’s skin being dry, than meets the eye. It is essential to introspect. Here’s a look at some of them.
- Change in Weather
- Air Conditioning
- Tight Clothing
- Dehydration
- Sunburn
Whether it’s extreme hot or cold, both weather conditions could cause a fall in humidity levels. As your child’s body loses excess water, dryness of skin sets in. This might cause cracks to develop on the heels, and skin start to peel off from the soles of the feet.
You might not wish to have your child spend an inordinate amount of time in an airconditioned environment. Children that do are more susceptible to dry skin. Not only air conditioners, but even heaters tend to suck the moisture out of the air.
Another common cause of dry skin in kids could be their wearing tight fitting clothes. The friction between the skin and clothes could well aggravate that dryness of skin.
Does your child have chapped lips? That’s one of the most common signs of dehydration, which could be a leading reason for your child developing dry skin.
Your child’s skin could develop dryness simply on account of them playing in the harsh sunlight for way too long. Further, that exposure to the sun’s UV rays could cause unwanted redness, itching and pain.
10 Must Know Dry Skin Home Remedies
Looking for tips that will help safeguard your little one’s precious skin? Here are some invaluable home remedies that will ensure their skin is protected from dryness.
- Avoid long baths
- Pat instead of rubbing
- Petroleum Jelly
- Cotton clothes over Synthetic ones
- Limiting Swimming Time
- Use liquid bandages to seal cracks in the skin
- Using mild detergents to wash clothes
- Changing diapers frequently
- Apply moisturiser in the right places
- Keep them well hydrated
Firstly, baths are preferable to showers where it comes to preventing dry skin. That being said, ensure you keep bath time limited. The longer the bath, the greater the chance of your child being prone to developing dry skin.
Tip: To that effect, limit bath time to not more than 10 minutes.
One of the best child skin care tips, this one. When your child emerges from their bath, pat them with a towel instead of rubbing them with it.
Tip: You might wish to apply oil or perhaps Shea Butter to their skin after that bath, to keep dryness at bay.
Petroleum Jelly could work wonders for that dry skin. It works by trapping moisture in the skin, thereby hydrating it. Bonus: Petroleum Jelly also helps with diaper rash, since it can act as a barrier between the diaper and the skin.
Cotton clothes are best for children to help them prevent unwanted dryness in their skin. It’s best to stay away from synthetic garments that irritate the skin and cause rashes.
Just like it is with their baths, one must also limit the amount of time their children spend in the pool. If you can, ensure they swim for twenty minutes tops. Tip: You want them to take a bath immediately after swimming. This is to wash off the excess chlorine, which will only contribute to that skin dryness.
Those shallow and deep cracks that come with dry skin, can be effectively sealed with the use of liquid bandages that you can get at your local pharmacy. Note: You do not wish to use ointments and liquid bandages together.
When it comes to washing your kid’s clothes, it’s best to use natural detergents or mild ones. That soap residue that gets left in the clothes after washing might just be one of the factors contributing to that dry skin.
If your toddler is still wearing diapers, no problem! Just make sure that you change them frequently. This will not only help prevent skin dryness, but also keep them away from that unwanted diaper rash. Tip: You might want to change their diapers every couple of hours, for the best possible effect.
Of course you should use moisturiser, but make sure that you pay special attention to where it is being applied. Apply it well to places like the abdomen and armpits, where there is more friction from the clothes children wear.
This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent skin dryness. Keeping your kids well hydrated means they should be drinking plenty of water every day. Tip: Eating juicy fruits rich in fibre helps greatly, too.
The Best Baby Wipes for Kids in India – Top 10 Picks
Baby wipes are one of the crucial dry skin toddler remedies. In addition to keeping skin clean, baby wipes can help nourish and moisturise it, too. When it comes to baby travel, it’s essential to choose the best baby wipes for all skin types. Here’s a list of the top-rated wipes that provide gentle care and help prevent skin dryness in children.
- Himalaya Gentle Baby Wipes
- Mamaearth India’s First Organic Bamboo Based Baby Wipes
- Himalaya Gentle Baby Wipes
- Johnson’s Baby Wipes Pack
- Little’s Soft Cleansing Baby Wipes
- Mother Sparsh (Unscented) Baby Wipes
- Pampers Baby Gentle Wet Wipes
- Supples Baby Wet Wipes
- Bodyguard Baby Wet Wipes
- LuvLap Paraben Free Wipes
Conclusion
Baby skin is sensitive due to several reasons. As a parent, you can follow certain home remedies to ensure your little one is protected from uneasiness on their skin. The article has mentioned 16 common causes and top 10 picks of baby wipes for your child. Since baby skin is delicate, ensure that you use safe products on your baby. Do you have any other interesting remedies to share with us?
We at EuroKids cannot overstress the importance of safeguarding your children’s skin from dryness. While it is mostly harmless, when left untreated, that dryness can lead to children developing eczema. Kids will develop a rash and experience their skin cracking, with the onset of this disease. So, it’s best to use the home remedies we have outlined for you here, to keep their skin well and truly hydrated.
References
https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/health-fitness/how-to-manage-baby-dry-skin-6068225/
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