Babies and toddlers have skin problems, too
Manila, Philippines - We may think that babies and toddlers always have the most perfect skin, but this may not always be the case. Healthy skin doesn’t have any unusual sensations, but some of the things that mothers must keep an eye on when it comes to their little ones’ seemingly flawless skin are signs of burning, stinging, and pulling. Another unhealthy skin sensation is very dry, itchy skin, a symptom of atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disorder of the immune system of the skin and is most often felt in infancy. Dry and sensitive skin can affect adults as well. However, approximately three percent of infants show evidence of atopic dermatitis during their first few months, while there are about 15-20 percent reported cases among school children. Be mindful of your child’s forehead, cheeks, creases of the elbows, knees, wrists, and even the scalp for signs of AD. Among the trigger factors of this condition are extreme heat or cold, rapid changes in temperature, sweating, irritating medications, synthetic fibers and wool, fragrances, soaps, oils, detergents, and environmental factors such as dust or pollen.
In a tropical country like ours, children are exposed to temperature changes almost on a daily basis. For sufferers of dry skin, the toughest thing to do is actually not to restore water in the skin but to protect and guard the water. Another way to manage and ease your child’s atopic dermatitis is to make sure to choose dermatologist-tested and trusted skincare products for optimal relief of dry, itchy skin. Avoid using soaps as much as possible, as they wash away natural oils and cause damage to the skin barrier lipids. Without water, the skin becomes dry, scaly, itchy, inflamed, and infected. It is also advisable to seek the help of pediatricians and dermatologists and consult them as often as possible.
Knowing how many factors can affect a very young child’s skin, it is vital to create awareness for parents — especially mothers — on the ways to protect and prevent various skin problems and diseases their little ones may have. The Philippine Dermatological Society, in cooperation with Galderma Philippines, Inc., makers of dermatologist- and pediatrician-recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers, recently held a talk on “Kutis ng bata, alagang derma: Hika ng balat? Ano ba ang tama?” at the Mega Trade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. There were free consultations to better equip moms and encourage them to learn more about keeping their families’ skin healthy and allergy-free.
