How to bathe your baby correctly if his skin is prone to allergies

The thickness of baby's skin is only 1/2 to 1/3 of that of adults, and the stratum corneum is only 30% of that of adults, so the skin's ability to retain moisture is poor. If your child's skin has recurring problems, it is recommended to seek professional diagnosis from a dermatologist or pediatrician first, and then take treatment or preventive measures to truly relieve the symptoms.

Summer is coming, but the weather has been sometimes rainy and sometimes sunny recently. Adults' skin is not used to it, and younger infants and toddlers are even more vulnerable. Dr. Bao has also found that the number of infants and toddlers seeking medical treatment for skin problems has increased significantly recently! Let's first talk about why infants and toddlers' skin is more fragile and sensitive than adults'. This is because their skin thickness is only 1/2 to 1/3 of that of adults, and their stratum corneum is only 30% of that of adults. Therefore, their skin's ability to retain moisture is poor. As long as the season changes, the clothing material is wrong, or the cleaning method is improper, it may cause subsequent skin problems.

Parents sometimes wonder, "How do doctors know if a child's skin is good or bad?" In fact, Dr. Bao only "touch" their skin to evaluate. I just mentioned that the stratum corneum of a baby's skin is only 30% of that of an adult's. Their skin feels delicate and smooth to the touch, even as if it were as soft as a baby's! So once it feels rough, or there is some desquamation or rash, Dr. Bao will have a good idea in mind, because then we will start to promote health education on sensitive skin care.

Actively use skin care products to avoid the vicious cycle of scratching and inflammation

First of all, for babies with damaged and dry skin, parents' task is to actively use skin care products to take care of them and improve the skin barrier. In summer, it is recommended to apply refreshing lotion 2 to 3 times a day, and in winter, apply more moisturizing and hydrating nourishing cream 3 to 4 times a day. Why do we emphasize the action of applying lotion frequently? It is because when the skin is dry to a certain extent, it will begin to itch, and the baby's instinctive reaction to that itch must be to find a way to scratch it, whether it is scratching with hands or feet. If the hands and feet cannot scratch, use clothes or towels to rub to relieve the itching. Once the epidermis is damaged by scratching, various germs, allergens, air pollutants... may pass through the skin barrier and cause subsequent inflammation and infection, further entering the vicious cycle of "itching and scratching, scratching and scratching, the more you scratch, the more itchy, the more itchy, the more you scratch."

As for the choice of moisturizing lotion, parents should choose products specially designed for children, which will not contain preservatives, alcohol or excessive additives, and can pass the skin sensitivity test. In addition, you can also choose skin care products containing ceramide or natural oat ingredients, because oat amide can reduce inflammation and relieve dryness and itching; the skin care ingredients such as vitamin E and protein in it are also very helpful for baby's skin; and oatmeal glue and oatmeal oil have good moisturizing effects and can improve the skin barrier.

Master the 4 principles of correct bathing to build your baby's skin barrier

Here, Dr. Bao proposed a new concept. Since babies know how to take a bath, why not start rebuilding the skin barrier from the bath? Bathing is a time for the skin to replenish moisture, so it is important to use the correct bathing method. Please pay attention to the following four principles:

(1) Do not use water that is too hot: It is recommended to use water between 37 and 39 degrees. Avoid using water that is too high to avoid washing away the oil on the epidermis.

(2) Use mild and natural bath products: It is recommended to use mild and natural bath products that can soothe the skin.

(III) Appropriate bathing time: Sometimes you can let your baby take a bubble bath to moisturize the skin. But you still have to be careful not to take too long, 5 to 10 minutes is enough, otherwise the skin will become drier.

(iv) Apply lotion immediately after washing and drying: Remember to pat your baby’s body dry after bathing. Apply moisturizing lotion as soon as possible during the window period when scratching may occur, and do a full body massage. This is the sweetest parent-child interaction time! However, each child’s skin condition is different, and parents can try different brands to find the most suitable product for their children.

Finally, I would like to remind parents to trim their children's nails regularly. If they feel itchy, they can use patting or ice compresses to improve the condition. If your child has skin problems repeatedly, it is recommended to seek professional diagnosis from a dermatologist or pediatrician first, and then take treatment or preventive measures to truly relieve the symptoms. Only by using the correct cleaning and maintenance process and choosing products with effective ingredients can sensitive skin be soothed and the recurrence of the disease be avoided!