Babymania

Your baby has arrived at last!

And so have many family and social issues that have never occurred before….

The last thing you need to worry about are skin problems!

In this article we discuss some common skin problems that occur in the first year of a baby’s life and how to alleviate the symptoms and hopefully avoid long term nightmares.

A baby’s skin is not as resistant as an adults.  It is up to ten times thinner and is easily damaged as it does not yet have the natural protective acid mantle which has a pH of 5,5.  This takes some time to develop.  During this time your baby’s skin is open to infections and thus often develop conditions such as dry skin and scalp, in more extreme cases eczema, neurodermatitis, baby acne and other ailments.  Whilst the more extreme conditions would require the attention of a medical specialist, many problems can be avoided with the correct use of extra-gentle skin care products that protect delicate skin from Day 1. This is important in extremely dry skin problems as mild and soap free products do not draw moisture from the skin and help to develop the natural protective acid mantle.  Whilst skin problems are influenced by many factors being hereditary to environmental, allergy, stress and food intolerances, you can make a difference by applying products that have been developed to protect little skins.

Nappy Rash

The tender skin of your baby’s bottom is exposed to all sorts of irritation as a baby will urinate and excrete five times a day into his nappy. The skin can quickly become painful and inflamed.  Prevention is of course the best approach.  Change his nappy at least every three to four hours during the day and more often if the bottom is sore. Also allow the little bottom plenty of “air time”.  Do not wake him in the night (unless you smell a nightmare!), to change the nappy…he/she needs the sleep!  If the baby has passed stool, wash his bottom with plenty of water/baby lotion or oil on cotton wool, after removing the faeces with the nappy you have taken off.  Then dry off carefully and apply cream, but not too much.  Be careful to find a product that has a pH of 5,5!

Baby Powders have really outlived their usefulness when it comes to baby care.  As the powder can be inhaled and in extreme cases cause breathing difficulties, the powder particles clump together and therefore irritate the skin even further. Also be careful not to use products that contain only zinc.  Whilst this acts as a good barrier it is not pH 5,5 compatible and as such influences the healthy development of the

acid mantle.  Ingredients such as Panthenol and Chamomile/Bisabolol have intense healing and protective properties.

Dry skin and Eczema

Water and soap are not the best combinations for sensitive skins and often cause the skin to become more irritated as soap particles erodes the precious acid mantle resulting in dry and flaky skin.  This can develop into eczema and must be treated very gently.

Bathing your baby and looking after his skin is not only an essential part of routine but also an opportunity to show him/her how much you love them.  It is therefore important that you use products that “soften” the water and contain high quality ingredients that add moisture back into the skin.  While your baby is still very tiny you should use a separate wash basin for his face. Fill the baby bath half full with warm water at a temperature around 36 to 37°.

A new born baby does not need to bathe more than three to four times a week. On the days you do not bath you can wash him all over with water with some added drops of bubble bath.

The symptoms of dry and eczema skin are itchyness, flakyness and in more extreme cases bleeding. These can cause baby great discomfort.  As babies cannot control scratching this often leads to little wounds all over the body thus increasing the chances of skin diseases developing. The causes of the itchyness are varied and if they persist over time and cannot be pinpointed to specific insect bites a specialist must be consulted.  But often it is helpful and sufficient to cleanse such skin with pH 5,5 products and to intensively moisturize the skin.  In colder climates and more extreme dry and flaky skin use a “thicker” cream (in warmer climates use less or a lotion).  Dress baby in cotton as much as possible and in extreme cases dress baby in silver coated textiles. For more info on clothing please refer to: http://www.allergy.uk.com/products/silverwear.html

Cradle Cap

Cradle Cap is a common problem amongst babies.  It can be identified by a type of tiny inflamed pimples, which eventually form a scab.  This is, contrary to some belief, not linked to any milk or lactose allergy.  Medication is only needed if the scalp shows more chronic signs of deterioration.  In most cases the problem sorts itself out but sometimes only in the baby’s second year.  Do not try to remove the scabs as this causes further problems.  Wash baby scalp with a mild shampoo and do not rub the top of baby’s head to avoid further scabs. Try not to wash hair more than 2 – 3 times per week as this strips the scalp of natural oils. Avoid intense moisturizers and oils on baby’s scalp as this can cause further inflammation.

For more information: www.babyskincare.co.za