The baby's skin has a special smell, a magical smell that you will not find anywhere else. Its velvety texture fills your heart with joy. But, as you know, she is very sensitive and during the first year she continues to develop.
See what are the common skin conditions in babies
Baby acne - occurs mainly in the first month and is manifested by the presence of reddish pustules on the face. This does not require any kind of treatment, as it goes away on its own.
Milia - manifests as very small white bumps on the scalp, face and upper chest. They are harmless and disappear spontaneously within a few weeks.
Erythema infectiosum - it is also called "fifth disease" and appears in the first 14 days of a newborn's life. It does not require treatment and disappears after about a week.
Seborrheic dermatitis - appears on the baby's scalp in the form of scaly patches. Treat with gentle washing and moisturizing.
Atopic dermatitis - or "eczema" is dry, sensitive, itchy skin. Mild forms can be treated with gentle skin care and hydration.
Rash - occurs most commonly in the diaper area due to wetness, friction, or care products with irritating ingredients. It is treated with zinc oxide creams that act as a barrier between the skin and moisture.
Contact dermatitis - occurs when the baby's sensitive skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen. For a deal, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause.
To better understand why babies' skin is so sensitive, I present to you 3 big differences compared to adult skin.
1. Babies' skin is very thin and therefore very vulnerable when it comes to irritants, allergens and other environmental factors.
2. Because it has a high water content, their skin is more prone to being dehydrated and dry.
3. Because they are very small and have just arrived in a new world, their skin has not developed a protective barrier that is functional, so it has a high sensitivity to irritants.
Here's what you need to do to protect your delicate skin.
First, choose care products suitable for sensitive skin. The washing gel and body lotion should be as natural as possible, gentler and specially formulated for the delicate skin of babies. Make sure they are dermatologically tested and do not contain perfume, alcohol or dyes. They most often cause irritation among babies' skin.
The detergent with which you wash his clothes, likewise, must be as mild as possible and specially designed for delicate skin precisely to prevent allergic reactions. It is often advisable to give the clothes an extra rinse to remove any traces of detergent.
The baby's skin must always be clean and hydrated. But you don't have to wash it every day. You can maintain its hygiene with a soft cloth and warm water, but you have to be careful, there are cases where excessive rubbing with the cloth can do more harm.
When you bathe him, use lukewarm water with a temperature of 37-38 °C, not hot water because it strips the skin of its natural oils and will eventually result in dry skin. The temperature in the bathroom should be warm. You will only wash the baby's face with water, and you can use the gentle washing gel on the hair and body. It also cleans the folds of the skin well, i.e. the area of the armpits, groin, under the chin.
Before diapering and dressing him, make sure his skin is completely dry. You can do this with a soft towel, patting gently. Avoid rubbing to avoid irritating the skin.
The diaper should be changed regularly. Clean the diaper area with a soft cloth and lukewarm water or alcohol- and fragrance-free wet wipes. Allow the skin to air dry, then apply a zinc oxide cream that is a protective barrier against breakouts. When you have the opportunity, you can leave the baby without a diaper, and to avoid accidents, keep a waterproof liner under him at all times.
When you put the diaper on, do not tighten it, put it loosely, so that it does not rub against the baby's skin.
Make sure the baby's room is at the right temperature and humidity. If it is cold and the humidity is low, the skin will dry out and irritations will appear on it.
The baby's clothes should be made of soft and breathable materials. The most suitable and affordable is cotton, which helps regulate body temperature. So should the bed linen. Avoid synthetic materials, because they cause discomfort and allergic reactions.
See here what clothes we recommend for babies
Avoid going outside with the child between 10 am and 4 pm because ultraviolet rays are very harmful to his skin. If you do, use an SPF 50 sunscreen and appropriate clothing.
Caring for your baby's skin is a must. Make sure you care for and protect your little one's delicate and sensitive skin. You are the only one who can do it!
