Dry Skin In A Child: 17 Reasons

Content

• Functions of children's skin.
• Causes of dry skin in children.
• Dry patches of skin on the child's body.
• When to contact a specialist.
• Diagnosis of the causes of dry skin.
• Preventive advice.
• How to choose skin care products.
• Simplified classification of skin care products

The skin is made up of two layers:

• epidermis - basal, granular and stratum corneum (cells are much smaller than in older children and adults). By the first month of life, spiny and shiny layers also form;
• dermis - papillary (poorly differentiated connective tissue cells and thin collagen fibers) and reticular (mature fibroblasts and thick collagen fibers) layer.

Another physiological feature of children's skin is the increased water content in the cells. The arterial networks in the skin of children are less differentiated than in adults. Blood vessels have increased permeability, so the skin of babies can be pink, reddish - this is a variant of the norm. The skin of a child is prone to allergic reactions, easily damaged and irritated.

The skin is the first to undergo structural changes to adapt to the environment, which occurs during the first 6-8 weeks of a baby's life. The cell density of the stratum corneum of the skin and the thickness of the epidermis increase, the barrier function of the skin of the newborn increases, the risk of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms and water loss decreases, and the body temperature stabilizes.

During the first few days of life, a newborn's skin has an almost neutral pH (6.7) and lacks natural acid defenses against external pathogens. After 2-4 weeks, the pH of the baby's skin becomes acidic, the protective factors of the epidermis increase.

Functions of baby skin

1. The protective function is weak due to the fragility of the dermis layer, the pH-neutral state and the poorly developed lipid layer.
2. The respiratory function of children's skin is 8-10 times more active than that of adults.
3. The excretory function is performed by sweat and sebaceous glands. Sweat glands are formed at the birth of a baby and function from 3 months of age, fully formed by 3 years.
4. The absorption function of the skin is increased due to the thin and loose stratum corneum, the diffuse network of blood vessels, so medications should be taken with caution and only after consulting a doctor.
5. The sensitive (tactile) function is associated with receptors located in the skin, which play a major role in the interaction of the child with the environment, perceiving stimuli mainly on sensitive areas of the body - hands, face and soles of the feet.
6. The thermoregulatory function of the skin is reduced, the sweat glands are poorly developed, so children quickly overheat and overcool.
7. The pigment-forming function of the skin is reduced, due to the weak production of melanin, there is no natural protection from ultraviolet radiation.
8. The synthetic function of the skin is due to the production of vitamins (for example, 6 IU of vitamin D3 per hour on a sunny day), enzymes and biological substances. Starts working 3-4 weeks after the baby is born.
9. The immune function of the skin includes cells that form an immune response. The immaturity of cellular and humoral immunity makes the skin susceptible to various infections.

Due to age-related characteristics, the skin of newborns and infants is more susceptible to diseases than the skin of adults.

Causes of dry skin in children

Physiological peeling. Dryness of the skin in a newborn in the first 24 hours of his life is due to a sharp change in the environment. Caseous lubrication is removed, and postpartum swelling of the skin gradually disappears. During the first two days after birth, the baby's skin is very dry, but this disappears with time. If scaling is visible immediately after birth, it is important to rule out congenital ichthyosis (see description below). In the period from 2 to 8 years of a child's life, the development of sweat and sebaceous glands occurs. Due to the decrease in sebum content, the skin can become dry.

Dry skin in children is mainly caused by external factors. Dry skin in a child? The reasons may be as follows:

• malnutrition of the child and the nursing mother, an allergic reaction to infant formula and complementary foods, insufficient fluid intake;

How does nutrition affect skin health? How much water should you drink per day to keep your skin supple and nourished? We will tell you at the free webinar "5 steps to healthy skin"

• a child is born with increased sensitivity of the skin to cold air or wind. This leads to dryness, roughness and irritation;
• When exposed to sunlight, a newborn's skin may be sensitive to UV light. You should not be in the bright sun for more than 5 minutes in the first year of life, you need to use special protection. Keep an eye on the weather UV index - it should be below 7;
• dry air in the room due to the lack of wet cleaning, insufficient air humidification, the use of heaters and air conditioners;
• low-quality clothing - direct contact with synthetic fabrics and dyes that irritate the child's skin;
• the choice of inappropriate diapers, individual intolerance to the components that make up hygiene products;
• improper hygiene - the use of soap containing aggressive chemical or antibacterial components. Rare hygiene procedures lead to an inflammatory process with the appearance of areas of dry and flaky skin. Useful baths with herbs that have a drying effect, such as oak bark, chamomile, string and others;
• use for washing products that are not intended for children's clothing;
• taking certain medications - acitretin (a remedy for psoriasis), isotretinoin (a remedy for acne), nicotinic acid, diuretics (diuretics), antibiotics - and the use of antiseptics cause dry skin of the baby.

Some diseases. For some pathologies, the phenomenon in question is a symptom. These diseases include:

• anemia - a decrease in the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood, which leads to dryness and pallor of the skin, weakness, lethargy and lethargy of the baby;
• inflammatory bowel disease - characterized by stool disorders, weight loss, stunting and symptoms of anemia;
• hypothyroidism - a malfunction of the thyroid gland causes dry skin, mainly on the elbows and knees;
• Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease that is accompanied by severe dryness. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the world ranges from 2.1% to 4.9%. Often the disease is diagnosed in childhood;
• congenital diabetes - characterized by dry skin, increased appetite and thirst, increased blood sugar levels.

Genetic disorders. Genetically determined dryness manifests itself by the age of 6, more often by 2-3 years:

• Ichthyosis is a genetic mutation, accompanied by a violation of the keratinization of the upper layer of the epidermis. As a result, scales resembling fish scales form on the body. This is not a common disease, it occurs with both mild manifestations and severe conditions and requires constant therapy. Sebaceous ichthyosis - increased work of the sebaceous glands. The skin is dry, rough to the touch, acquires a brownish tint. Cracks form on the surface of the greasy crust. A week later, the process ends with abundant peeling. The child feels well and does not need treatment. Differentiate from congenital;
• hyperkeratosis - increased thickening, keratinization of the surface layer of the skin and violation of rejection. Dry skin predominantly on the feet, thighs, elbows and head.

Worm invasion. The presence of parasites in children can cause dry skin due to the body's reaction to toxins.

Dry patches of skin on the child's body

Dry skin of the body in a child is formed in different places, the problem can be caused by the following reasons:

• in a child, the skin on the legs is flaky due to friction on clothes and shoes. This can be avoided by choosing clothes and shoes made from natural materials that are comfortable for children's skin. It is important to use hypoallergenic powders for washing clothes and shoes;
• dry indoor air and poor-quality cosmetics can lead to dry skin of the hands and palms;
• as a result of bathing a child in too hot and too hard water, due to dry air and some weather factors, dry lesions appear on the face and neck. For bathing a child, it is better to use special children's environmental products;
• dry skin on the abdomen and back provokes high temperature and dry air in the room. Dry air causes microtrauma on the surface of the epidermis, which leads to dry skin and is accompanied by its peeling.

When to see a specialist

For symptoms of dry skin in children, it is better to consult a preventive specialist, nutritionist or doctor. Alarm signals:

• the child grows, but the peeling does not decrease;
• peeling in the form of small silvery scales does not disappear within 5–7 days and increases sharply, while new foods are not introduced into complementary foods, new clothes are not put on the child, changes in the child's life do not occur;
• the skin begins to peel off unevenly, and the baby has certain areas where the problem manifests itself acutely;
• the child's skin peels off and red spots or dots appear, itching, pimples, blisters, and so on.

Diagnostics

To identify the cause of dry skin in a child, it is important to contact a specialist - examine the skin, clarify the nuances of care, and analyze the diet of a nursing mother.

If necessary, the specialist will prescribe an examination:

• a clinical blood test to detect anemia, deficiencies, inflammation;
• biochemical blood test - AST, ALT, total bilirubin, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein;
• general urine analysis;
• analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis;
• study of the level of determination of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in blood serum to identify the allergic nature of the disease.

For consultations, it is possible to involve other specialists - a dermatologist, an allergist, a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist, a neurologist.

Preventive advice

It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. To prevent dry skin in a child, it is important to observe some conditions:

• provide the child with a balanced diet, sufficient drinking regimen;

How is the diet of a child different from an adult? How to determine the portion size? What foods should be in a child's diet? We will tell you at the webinar "The Key to Your Child's Health".

• it is important for a nursing mother to refuse baking, mostly sweet, chocolate, dishes with a significant content of dyes and preservatives that cause dry skin;
• buy clothes, shoes and bedding only from natural materials;
• change diaper regularly. Try to minimize the use of diapers;
• do not use soap during the daily bathing of the child and bathe him in comfortable water (temperature not higher than 37-38 ºС). Avoid washcloths with a rough texture. After bathing, do not rub the skin, but gently pat it dry with a towel;
• in the cold season, walk every day in the fresh air for at least an hour. Do not wrap the child too tightly during walks. Use baby cream to protect your face from cold wind and frost;
• in the warm (hot) season, walk daily in the fresh air for at least two hours, avoid overheating the child and reliably protect the skin from ultraviolet rays;
• wash floors daily and avoid accumulation of dust on furniture and household appliances. It is important to install a special air humidifier if the humidity in the house is below 50%, and in summer open windows for at least an hour to ventilate the apartment (house);
• for washing children's clothes, use powders intended only for children and not containing sulfates and other harmful substances.

How to choose skin care products

To prevent allergic reactions, toxic and carcinogenic effects on the children's body, children's cosmetics are made only from high-quality raw materials, and the ingredients included in the composition are suitable for infants and young children. Cosmetic products are important to check for safety and certify. The packaging must indicate the manufacturer and ingredients, including preservatives, flavors, emulsifiers, and so on.

Parabens are preservatives that destroy the skin microbiome, cause some estrogenic effects, penetrate the skin and accumulate in the body.

Phthalates are fragrances that muffle the unpleasant odor associated with petroleum products. Phthalates cause asthma, infertility, decreased testosterone levels in boys, and delayed puberty in girls. Some phthalates are banned in the US and EU countries due to side effects.

Surfactants are responsible for the formation of "foam", remove not only dirt and grease, but also the lipid layer of the skin. Dangerous for children with atopic dermatitis and cause severe skin irritation.

Simplified classification of skin care products

All funds are divided into four categories - lotion, cream, protective (barrier) cream and oil.

1. The lotion is a water-alcohol solution, the difference between the baby lotion is the absence of alcohol. Cleans and moisturizes the skin, with persistent pollution can be used as a morning cleanser, does not leave a greasy film on the skin.
2. The cream moisturizes and has an anti-inflammatory effect, is based on an emulsion (water and oil components), can be used once or several times a day.
3. Protective (barrier) cream is suitable for the prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis.
4. The oil creates a protective film, prevents drying, moisturizes and reduces the degree of irritation, has a calming and warming effect.

Dry skin causes discomfort to the child and worries the parents. To avoid this, it is important to exclude the impact on the child's body of factors that cause dry skin. However, if dryness does not go away for a long time, be sure to consult a specialist.