Why a newborn baby has dry skin on face, hands, feet and what to moisturize with

To compliment a woman and emphasize her blooming appearance, they say: "You have skin like a baby!" Elastic, smooth, velvety, pink - this is what children's skin is most often like. But they are not born like this at all. Wrinkled, cyanotic, dry skin in a newborn is a typical picture that accompanies the birth of a person. Rough and dry skin on the palms, feet, tummy, chest worries parents, they wonder if this is normal? In the first days of a child's life, sweat glands are not fully active and are not able to cope with sufficient moisture, which leads to dry skin. And yet, such problems are temporary and in a few days everything should return to normal. If this does not happen, you should figure out what is wrong.

Epidemiology

Dry skin, including atopic dermatitis, is observed in half of the population of our planet, including newborn children. And such a hereditary disease as ichthyosis is susceptible to 1 person out of several tens of thousands of people.

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Causes dry skin in a newborn

The skin of newborns is very delicate and sensitive, so it instantly reacts to any adverse changes in the external environment and the state of internal organs. The causes of dry skin in a newborn can be the following:

• dry air in the room where the child is;
• use of low-quality and age-inappropriate hygiene products: soap, shampoo, creams;
• over-bundling the child;
• use of clothes and diapers made of synthetic fabrics;
• intestinal pathology;
• hereditary disease ichthyosis;
• atopic dermatitis;
• lack of retinol and vitamin PP – an essential substance involved in the body’s metabolic processes.

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Risk factors

Risk factors for dry skin in newborns include improper nutrition of the pregnant woman, early artificial feeding or supplementary feeding, the presence of chemicals near the child or toys made from chemical materials, metabolic disorders, colds and viral diseases, and hereditary factors.

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Pathogenesis

The human skin is the largest organ in area and it performs numerous functions: respiratory, metabolic, thermoregulatory, protection from aggressive environment. Its outer stratum corneum – epidermis contains only 20% of all water in the body. As soon as for one reason or another water evaporates, the lower layers of the skin, which, unlike the epidermis, consist of living cells, begin to give up theirs, which leads to metabolic disorders, penetration of various infections, occurrence of pathological conditions. A child in the womb of the mother for 9 months is immersed in amniotic fluid, which means it was in 100% humidity. With the cutting of the umbilical cord, a radical restructuring of the entire life support system occurs. Dry and a third less humid external environment, inability to thermoregulate – real stress for the skin of a small person. But gradually adaptation to new living conditions occurs, all processes return to normal.

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Symptoms dry skin in a newborn

In the first month of a child's life, dry skin is quite normal. But what are the symptoms of dry skin in a newborn? The first signs are peeling skin on the palms, feet, dry skin on the tummy. Parents should try to create the right microclimate in the room where the little one lives, and follow all the rules for caring for him.

Very dry skin in a newborn

It may be a response to a too hot room or excessive wrapping of the child. Despite weak thermoregulation, low humidity and high air temperature will only cause dry skin and peeling in the newborn. During the swaddling period, it is necessary to do air baths for at least two minutes, bathe in warm water every day, without adding potassium permanganate, because it dries the skin a lot, use a humidifier, do not turn on the air conditioner. If everything is in order with this, and the newborn still has dry skin and peels, it is necessary to check the clothes and diapers in which the baby is wrapped. It is quite possible that they are made of synthetic materials, or the seams rub the baby's tender body (in children's clothes, the seams are on the front side). It is quite possible that the detergents for washing are not suitable, they should be special, not containing chemical components. Diapers should be changed every 4 hours and immediately after defecation. After removing it, it is recommended to wash or wipe the child with wet cotton pads and let him take air baths for a few minutes. It is also necessary to take special cosmetics for moisturizing.

Dry skin on the face of a newborn

Most often, the reaction is to the wrong diet of the nursing mother or an unsuitable formula for infants. It is necessary to analyze what could have caused such a reaction and exclude the product from the menu. If the newborn has dry skin on the forehead, it is possible that the wrong baby soap or other detergent is used. These products should not contain allergenic fragrances and should not be used every day, except for washing the groin area. It is enough to use once a week for washing the head, twice - for the body. The baby's face requires special care: with a cotton pad soaked in boiled water, first wipe the eyes, cheeks, then the nose and lips, and finish with the chin. Change the pad, repeat the procedure. Before bathing, the scalp is lubricated with Vaseline or vegetable oil due to the natural formation of flaky crusts in the parietal part. They get wet in water and are easily washed off.

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The newborn has dry skin on his legs

In the first days of life, a newborn has dry skin on the legs - a consequence of intrauterine lubrication, which exists for better passage through the birth canal. In a few days, it is absorbed, helping to go through the adaptation period. Dryness and peeling in the folds of the legs are possible with diaper rash. To avoid them, you must adhere to the rules of hygiene: bathe, wipe all the folds with wet wipes, lubricate with baby cream and sprinkle with powder. It is best to buy baby care products in pharmacies in order to avoid counterfeits.

Complications and consequences

Dry skin is not a harmless symptom, but a problem that can lead to itching, pain, and cracks in the skin. The consequences and complications are not only constant unpleasant sensations for the baby, which causes him to sleep poorly and behave badly, but also the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into damaged skin: bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Without taking appropriate measures, childhood eczema and psoriasis may appear.

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Diagnostics dry skin in a newborn

Human skin, including that of a baby, is an indicator of its health. Therefore, diagnosing dry skin in a newborn is a necessity to use tests and other research methods to determine the presence of congenital pathologies, the possibility of exposure to an allergen and its detection. As a rule, a general blood and urine test, a stool test for the Co-program, and, if necessary, skin scrapings for histological examination are performed.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is designed to answer whether a disease, improper care, mother's nutrition, or child's supplementary feeding causes dry skin if such a symptom does not go away after a month of the baby's life. Differentiation of pathology occurs between atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, metabolic disorders, intestinal diseases, etc.

Treatment dry skin in a newborn

Treatment of dry skin in a newborn depends on the causes of this phenomenon. First of all, it is necessary to organize proper care for the child. Daily bathing is a must. What to bathe a newborn with dry skin in? The baby should have his own bathtub, thoroughly washed with soda and a sponge before each bath. The water used is warm - 34-37 ⁰ C and gradually decreased by one degree with each procedure to 30-32 ⁰. A solution of potassium permanganate should not be used, because it will dry the skin even more. You can use a weak infusion of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic herbs. Children's hygiene products - soap, shampoo should not be used every day, 1-2 times a week is enough. After using them, it is necessary to wash the child with clean water from the shower or from a jug. An individual towel for wiping should be made of natural fabrics, and the movements are blotting. What to smear dry skin of a newborn? There are special skin care products for babies for this purpose. They should be used to treat dry areas, especially the folds.

What to do with dry skin in a newborn if all these measures do not help and new areas with peeling of the epidermis appear? It is imperative to consult a pediatrician and find out the cause. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis requires the use of anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, antibiotics, antioxidants.

Another unpleasant disease, ichthyosis, is genetic in nature and consists of a violation of the process of keratinization of the skin. Unfortunately, a method of combating it has not yet been found, since the cause lies in gene mutations, and methods of influencing these processes have not yet been discovered, then all therapy comes down to constant moisturizing and nourishing the skin.

Medicines

Antiallergic drugs used in pediatrics for dry and flaky skin include diazolin, tavegil, and suprastin.

Suprastin is prescribed to children from one month of age. It is available in tablets and liquids for injection. The main active ingredient of the drug is chloropyramine hydrochloride. The dose for small children up to one year is 5 mg or 0.25 ml, with the calculation that no more than 2 mg per kilogram of the child's weight can be given per day. Side effects that may follow after taking the drug are increased excitability, prolonged wakefulness of the baby. In this case, the drug is canceled.

The following sedatives are used for dermatitis: persen, novopassit, motherwort, valerian. Only a pediatrician can determine the appropriateness of using the drug and its dosage.

Motherwort - there are 4 medicinal forms of the herb: tablets, powders, alcohol and water infusions, but the latter is suitable for a newborn. This plant contains essential oils, tannins, organic acids, vitamins A and C. Thanks to this remedy, the functioning of the nervous system and internal organs improves. Motherwort is contraindicated in case of allergy to it.

In case of gastrointestinal tract disorders in infants, Plantex for newborns is prescribed.

Plantex is a granular preparation consisting of natural components: fennel, essential oil of the same plant, excipients: lactose, dextrose. It is used starting from the age of two weeks, immediately after meals or in between feedings. To prepare a solution, one bag of granules must be poured with 100 ml of warm boiled water and shaken thoroughly until the granules are completely dissolved. Make a fresh solution each time, do not prepare for future use. It can be given from a bottle or with a spoon. If this is difficult, a nursing mother can take it, with her milk the product will get to the child. Contraindications to the drug are intolerance to the components and lactose enzyme deficiency. Side effects include allergies.

Indispensable for dry skin are skin care products. Some of them are panthenol, bepanten, dermopanten.

Panthenol - there are various forms of this drug: cream, ointment, milk, aerosols with aloe vera, vitamin complex, menthol, etc. This drug is non-toxic, does not have carcinogenic properties, so it is indicated for use from birth. After bathing or washing, the product is applied to flaky areas, especially carefully lubricating the folds. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components, since allergic reactions are possible.

Vitamins

Since one of the reasons for dry skin in newborns is a lack of vitamin A and PP, these vitamins are prescribed to eliminate it. Vitamin E and fish oil can also solve the problem. It is necessary to control the content of vitamin D in the body, its excess reduces the calcium content in the body, which can cause allergies. External care products for the baby's body, including vitamins, will also improve the skin condition, if there is no more complex problem behind it.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapeutic treatment is effective in treating such serious diseases as atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis. It includes various methods of influencing the epidermis: ultra-rays, oxygen, ozone, ultrasound, magnet, electric current, etc. In addition to the positive effect of such procedures on the affected areas, there are also contraindications that the doctor must take into account when prescribing.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment of dry skin suggests using baths with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic herbs, lotions, powders prepared according to traditional recipes. Here are some of them:

• grate a large potato on a fine grater, squeeze it out a little, wrap this mass in gauze and apply to the affected area, hold for a while;
• mix honey and Kalanchoe juice in equal parts, leave in the refrigerator for a week, and lubricate the areas of peeling;
• treat inflamed areas with a solution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:10;
• Combine geranium oil with refined sunflower oil and lubricate dry areas.

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Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment of dry skin in newborns involves, first of all, preparing infusions for bathing. Chamomile, celandine, calendula, thyme, lemon balm, mint, sage, and lavender are useful for this. Although succession is known for its antiseptic properties, it dries the skin, so its use should be approached with caution, observing the reaction. Lycopodium pollen has a good healing effect; it is used as powder.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is used quite often in pediatrics, but whether it will harm such a small child must be decided by the doctor.

The following are used as sedatives: "Kaprizulya", "Notta", "Zaychonok", "Edas", "Bebi-Sed", "Valerianakhel", "Nervokhel", "Shalun".

"Zaychonok" is a fruit syrup that contains barberry, caraway, mint, lemon balm, motherwort, hawthorn, chamomile, valerian root, vitamins A and B6. The dosage is determined by a homeopath, but the general regimen is to dissolve the drug in water (on average, a teaspoon) and give it to the baby during feeding. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to any of the components. Allergy is possible as a side effect.

In case of reddening of the epidermis, red spots, aconite, pulsatilla, lycopodium are used. Alumina 6, 12 (dilutions) is prescribed for peeling skin, cracking, itching; sulfur 6 - for rashes of an allergic nature; if the cause of dry skin and peeling is a disorder of the digestive tract, iris 3, 6 is used; dry crusts in dermatitis are treated with arsenicum, calcarea carbonica; peeling scales - arsenicum, acetum, calcarea.

Here are some more homeopathic remedies that can be purchased in pharmacies and used to treat children:

• Spenglersan Colloid K – skin spray, a transparent liquid with a specific odor. For infants under one year, one spray three times a day is recommended. No contraindications or side effects have been found;
• Traumeel S - ointment, has anti-inflammatory, anti-exudative action. Can be used by children from birth. Apply a thin layer to the inflamed area 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks. Additional rashes are possible with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• notta is a sedative, produced in drops for small children. Stabilizes the autonomic nervous system. The dose is 1 drop per tablespoon of water or milk, used three times a day between feedings. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions;
• Iricar - cream, used for itching of the skin of various origins, eczema. Before use for children under one year, a doctor's consultation is required. Apply to problem areas of the skin with a light layer three times a day. There are known cases of hypersensitivity reactions to the use of the product.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment for dry skin is used if the skin becomes infected with pronounced signs of intoxication: high temperature, deep abscesses or carbuncles. Other conditions do not require surgical intervention.

Prevention

Preventive measures to avoid dry skin include: maintaining a favorable microclimate in the room where the newborn is located. For this, the room temperature should not be higher than 20° C, and the humidity should not be less than 50%. It is also necessary to periodically ventilate it. Daily bathing in warm comfortable water with the addition of medicinal herbs, the use of certified children's cosmetics, natural clothes, feeding with breast milk while following a diet will help avoid skin problems.

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Forecast

The prognosis for dry skin in newborns, not complicated by genetic diseases, is favorable, provided that the rules for caring for it are followed. Atopic dermatitis is also cured after long-term complex treatment. But ichthyosis cannot be completely cured, and therapy is aimed only at maintaining the condition, which over time is still complicated by systemic pathologies. Detection of a child's disease in the womb gives the doctor every reason to suggest termination of pregnancy.

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