Is it a Skin Condition or just Dry winter Skin?
The winter season may be fun and beautiful for going on walks and making snow forts, but at times it can wreak havoc on our bodies, including our skin. Though, is it really the season causing your kids’ dry skin or could it be something more? If kids’ skin isn’t protected well enough from the elements or using topical lotions and moisturizers, the results from dry skin can be worse due to their skin being more sensitive and softer than adults’ skin.
Common Dry Skin Issues
Dry skin is usually a temporary, non-serious skin issue that can occur anywhere on your body. It commonly stems from many factors like the winter season, using too much soap, washing or bathing in hot water for too long, or a decrease in air moisture. Sometimes it can come in the form of a seasonal rash or even as a genetic disease called eczema, which looks like a rash, but treated with medically enhanced ointments and creams.
How to differentiate if it requires a Change in Routine or Medical Attention/Treatment
The first place to start when determining the cause of your child’s dry skin would be to start by making changes to certain daily routines.
Taking a bath – Limit the time of taking a bath to under 10 minutes and how often you give them to your child. Try not to use bubble bath or foamy, scented soaps as these are more prone to drying out kids’ skin rather than adding in moisture.
Soap and Moisturizers – For bath soap, choose fragrance-free, deodorant-free, and hypoallergenic so as to not add irritants to the skin. With moisturizer, it’s best to go with ointments and creams, which both contain oil, as this is helpful against dry skin. Plus, a cream will lock in moisture to hold in your child’s soft and smooth skin. For outside, don’t forget to apply sunscreen and lip balm to keep skin and lips protected from the sun, wind, and cold temperatures.
Laundry – Try using detergents labeled “free and clear” or that target sensitive skin as these products eliminate irritating ingredients like fragrances, dyes, and perfumes. Be sure to bundle kids up when they go outside and look for sensitive and soothing fabrics like cotton or even bamboo.
Add a Humidifier – In order to prevent dry skin, along with nosebleeds and dry, itchy throats, bring a humidifier into your child’s room to add more moisture.
Seeking Medical Attention/Treatment
If after making all of the aforementioned changes, but your kid still has dry skin or it is not getting better, then it’s time to seek medical attention and treatment. Here is a list of common symptoms:
- Redness
- Itching
- Pain around the dry skin, which could be infected
- Skin is peeling or scaling
If your child is experiencing any, or all, of the symptoms listed, or you have questions regarding dry skin, contact us today. We’ll be able to diagnose the issue at your child’s core and come up with solutions and treatments to the problem so that your kid will feel comfortable in their own skin again.
