Causes of dry skin in babies

The delicate skin of a baby is very thin, easily injured, and due to some of its features it dries quickly. Dry skin not only causes discomfort, but causes serious dermatological problems. If treatment is not started in time, wounds and ulcers, eczema may appear, and if a fungal infection occurs, thrush may develop. It is important to find the cause of dryness and eliminate it. Without this, even the most correct treatment and care will not help. If you cannot find out the cause on your own, it is better to consult a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist.

Content:

1. Causes of dry skin

1. Environmental response
2. Reaction to care products
3. Lack of care
4. Dehydration
5. Diseases that cause dry skin

Causes of dry skin

In most cases, the cause of dryness is the physiology of newborns. In the womb, the baby is covered with smegma, or vernix, which performs a protective function. After the baby is born, it is gradually washed away, and the baby’s skin cannot yet sufficiently perform the functions assigned to it. In addition, her immunity is poorly developed, and any impact, external or internal, immediately affects the condition of the skin.

The sebaceous and sweat glands of a newborn are also not yet developed; thermoregulation is established only by the end of the first year of life. Any overheating is fraught with profuse sweating, which protects against overheating.

All these features lead to the fact that the baby’s skin reacts to any adversity with a rash, redness, and begins to dry and peel.

Other reasons why a child develops dry skin are related to the conditions surrounding him, the general condition of the body, and the characteristics of care.

Environmental response

These may be unfavorable weather conditions: wind, frost, exposure to the open sun for a long time. When going outside, it is advisable to take care of protecting exposed skin. So, in the summer, apply sunscreen, in the winter, lubricate your face with a cream that protects from low temperatures.

Things to remember: During the cold season, protective agents should be applied in advance, at least half an hour before going outside.

This also includes too dry air in the nursery, which is the most common problem in winter, during the heating season. The optimal humidity is 55-70%, which is achieved with special electric humidifiers or wet towels hung on heating radiators. You can also place a small container of water near the crib, periodically spray water from a spray bottle, and ventilate the room more often.

Reaction to care products

We are talking not only about soap, shampoo, foam, but also about various additives that parents use when bathing their baby. Not so long ago, doctors advised adding a weak solution of manganese to water. This is what causes dry skin.

Modern pediatricians advise bathing a child, if he does not have serious skin problems, in ordinary tap water after the umbilical wound has completely healed. If mom is worried about its quality, then you can use boiled or filtered water. Hygienic products are used no more than once a week or when heavily soiled.

You should also pay attention to what powder is used when washing children's clothes. Special baby powders and mouthwashes are not a clever marketing ploy. Most of them undergo strict control and do not contain fragrances or other components that can cause allergies in the form of peeling, irritation and redness of the skin. Therefore, in the first year of a child’s life, it is advisable to wash his clothes and bedding separately, using products from the children’s line.

Lack of care

The skin of a newborn needs constant care. Hygienic procedures in the form of rubbing and washing must be carried out in the morning; it is advisable to bathe the baby every evening before the last feeding. Wash the baby every time you change the diaper and after bowel movements. Here it is enough to use warm running water.

At the same time, feces contain enzymes that, if left untreated, can cause severe irritation, which often results in diaper dermatitis and other serious skin diseases.

Dehydration

Organizing the drinking regime correctly is important from the first stages of a baby’s life. If a newborn is breastfed, mother's milk is usually enough to fill you up and quench your thirst. It is still worth offering your child clean water, especially in hot weather or in stuffy rooms, but if he refuses, do not insist.

Children who are bottle-fed or mixed-fed must be given water. How to establish a drinking regime, how much liquid a child should drink - it is better to clarify these questions with your pediatrician.

Dehydration also appears with high fever, increased sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. Doctors advise not to self-medicate. In all these conditions, the child loses fluid, so dehydration, which is especially dangerous for children in the first year of life, develops quickly.

Important: It is easy to detect dehydration in a newborn. The tongue and lips become dry, the skin becomes tense and appears transparent, and the fontanel sinks. In this condition, you should consult your doctor. If symptoms are noticed in the evening, you should not wait until the morning; it is better to immediately call an ambulance.

Diseases that cause dry skin

In addition to reasons related to errors in care, dry skin can be due to the presence of certain diseases:

1. improper functioning and intestinal pathologies;
2. atopic or diaper dermatitis at the initial stage;
3. avitaminosis;
4. Ichthyosis is a disorder of the process of keratinization of the skin.

If any of the conditions are detected, you should consult a doctor. Starting treatment without consulting a pediatrician is dangerous: a newborn’s body can react negatively even to the most seemingly harmless drugs.

Treatment

If dry skin is not associated with diseases, and the cause of this condition has been identified and eliminated, then it is quite possible to carry out treatment at home. The main thing here is to choose the right care product.

Therapeutic and caring ointments and creams

According to many mothers, the best in the fight against almost any dermatological problems are creams and ointments with dexpanthenol: panthenol, bepanthen. Dexpanthenol ointment contains preservatives and cheaper fatty components. In the composition, for example, “Bepanten” contains almond oil as one of them, and “Bepanten Plus” contains the antiseptic chlorhexidine.

All of them perfectly soften, moisturize and heal the skin, and cope even with advanced forms of dermatitis. They are practically identical in composition and action, but differ significantly in cost. The cheapest of them is “Dexpanthenol” (up to 100 rubles per tube), “Bepanten” is the most expensive (from 400 rubles).

Now on the shelves of stores and pharmacies you can find many baby creams that contain dexpanthenol, additional vitamin E, and herbal extracts.

Things to remember: It is better to buy medications and care products in pharmacies to avoid purchasing low-quality products or counterfeits.

Bepantol Baby from Bayer – a new protective cream for diapers, but can also be used to lubricate dry areas of skin. The composition contains provitamin B5, vitamin B3, shea butter, jojoba, olive, niacinamide, vitamin E, phospholipids, lanolin. It has excellent wound healing properties and protects against dryness. The hypoallergenic composition without fragrances and dyes makes it possible to use it in children from birth. The average cost is 800-900 rubles.

Sudocrem contains zinc oxide, paraffin and lanolin, it softens, soothes and restores the skin. It has a slight anesthetic effect, relieves discomfort and pain. The average cost of the cream is 500 rubles.

Line of Bubchen creams. The main components are zinc oxide and panthenol. Heal and soothe the skin, relieve itching, flaking, and redness. The price for one tube is about 300 rubles.

Little Siberica produced in Russia includes extracts of medicinal herbs (yarrow, marshmallow, Rhodiola rosea and others), beeswax, oils (sunflower, shea, pine nut), vitamin E, glycerin. Eliminates diaper rash and irritation, softens, moisturizes and nourishes the skin, has antiseptic properties. It has a “COSMOS-Standard organic” certificate - an absolutely harmless product. Cost from 250 rubles.

"Umka" - soothing and moisturizing cream from Russian manufacturers. Contains ectoine, panthenol, olive oil, chamomile extract. Has good healing and restorative properties. Price – 90 rubles.

Baby and cosmetic oils

Many mothers notice improvements after using baby or any cosmetic oil. You should choose non-comedogenic, easily absorbed oils, for example, peach, apricot, almond. Cosmetic oils do not need to be heated over a fire; just moisten a cotton pad and apply the product to a dry area of ​​skin.

The disadvantage is that the oils take a long time to absorb and leave greasy marks on the laundry. Before dressing the baby, it is advisable to blot the body with a soft napkin so that a greasy film does not remain on the surface and the skin can breathe freely.

Folk remedies

When adding herbal decoctions to baths and using them when washing and drying the baby, you should remember that many of them have a pronounced drying effect, which, if dry, will only aggravate the situation. This is everyone's favorite chamomile, string, calendula, oak bark.

Oat decoction has very good softening and restorative properties. To prepare it, 1-2 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over the unrefined grain, cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes and let it brew for half a day. The finished broth is filtered and added to the bath before bathing. You can make lotions by moistening gauze folded in several layers and applying it to dry areas of the skin.

Potato lotions

Grate a small potato on a fine grater, collect the pulp in gauze, wrap it and apply to the affected area for a few minutes. Potatoes relieve inflammation, soothe and moisturize the skin.

Ointment made from honey and Kalanchoe juice

Mix natural bee honey and squeezed Kalanchoe juice in equal parts, leave in the refrigerator for 7 days. Apply a thin layer to dry skin.

Video: What to do with dry skin of a baby in the first month of life

How to avoid dry skin

Prevention plays an important role, because it is much easier to prevent such manifestations than to treat subsequent infections later:

1. The baby's skin should be moisturized with selected creams or ointments. Many parents massage their newborn using oil or a special baby product. There are enough of them; additional processing is often not required.
2. The humidity in the nursery should not be below 55%. It is advisable to carry out wet cleaning every day, since dust is also a common cause of allergies, causing dryness and tightness of the skin.
3. Everything that the child’s skin comes into contact with must be made from natural fabrics, since even a small percentage of synthetics can provoke unwanted skin reactions.
4. Monitor the baby’s condition, promptly treat diseases, and prevent dehydration and other complications.

A nursing mother should adjust her diet; if dry skin appears in a bottle-fed baby, a different formula is selected together with the pediatrician.

Video: How to properly care for the skin of a newborn

With the birth of a baby, a mother has a lot of reasons to worry. Among the most common are colic, poor sleep, and unsettled feeding patterns for the baby. To this may also be added the problem of dry skin in the baby. Here, experts advise not to panic, but to arm yourself with useful knowledge that will help provide proper care.

1. Features of newborn skin
2. Causes of dry skin in babies
3. Rules of care
4. What to do if your baby has dry skin
5. Consequences of dry skin in a newborn and errors in care
6. Importance of Nutrition
7. Prevention measures
8. Tools Overview

Features of newborn skin

The skin of a newborn is different from that of an adult. She loses heat much faster, because the ratio of the baby’s body surface to his weight is several times greater than that of an adult.

“Newborns have a very thin epidermis,” says Alexander Prokofiev, dermatovenerologist, medical expert for the La Roche-Posay brand. “That’s why a baby’s skin is very delicate and easily wounded. Until a certain age, it has an insufficiently acidic pH (due to low sebum production), so it is more susceptible to various microbes. In addition, it contains significantly less of the protective pigment melanin.”

In newborns, the density of sweat glands is higher due to the smaller skin surface compared to adults. But by the time of birth, these glands are not mature and cannot cope with the mission assigned to them - sweating. Therefore, when the ambient temperature rises, the baby's skin is prone to overheating.

Causes of dry skin in babies

According to Alexander Prokofiev, “the main reason for a baby’s dry skin is the insufficient functioning of its sebaceous and sweat glands. In the womb, these glands remain dormant and begin to activate only after birth. Gradually, this physiological state of skin vulnerability disappears.”

The skin of newborns is very delicate, thin and easily vulnerable © iStock

There are several other factors to blame for dry skin in babies.

The air is too dry

In dry and warm air, the load on the child’s unformed thermoregulation increases. This is why it is so important to use humidifiers.

Overwrapping yourself, swimming in too warm water, and hot weather all cause dry skin.

Washing powders, disinfectants, chlorinated water, and poor-quality care products can negatively affect the condition of children’s skin.

From the first months of life, teach your child to drink water, not juice, compote or tea.

Rules of care

Caring for a baby requires parents to take great responsibility and adhere to the rules of hygiene.

Mom should have neat, short-cut nails and clean, well-groomed hands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injuring the baby’s delicate skin and causing infection.

Twice a day, the baby needs to treat the umbilical wound until it is completely healed.

Keep your baby's skin clean and change the diaper every 3 hours or immediately after a bowel movement.

Bathe your baby daily. If the quality of tap water leaves much to be desired, then use boiled water with a temperature no higher than 37 degrees Celsius (and no lower than 34).

What to do if your baby has dry skin

Here the recommendations depend on the location of the dry areas of the skin.

Wash your newborn with a cotton pad soaked in boiled water © iStock

In the parietal region of newborns, dry flaky crusts - gneiss - often form. Half an hour before bathing your child, lubricate them with warm Vaseline or vegetable oil, and while washing, carefully rinse them from the scalp. If you don’t manage to cleanse your scalp the first time, it’s okay. Repeat skin treatment during subsequent baths. The main thing is not to pick the skin or tear off the crusts, so as not to cause additional skin irritation.

The problem of dryness can arise due to frequent contact with water (especially hard water), dry indoor air, hot and windy weather. Wipe the newborn's face 2 times a day with cotton pads soaked in boiled water. Don't forget to clean the folds behind your ears too. Then apply moisturizer.

Dryness can occur due to contact with clothing that contains detergent particles or aggressive dyes. After the umbilical wound has healed, use special moisturizing oils or chamomile decoction for bathing. Dry your baby's skin without rubbing it, but by gently patting it with a soft towel. Then apply baby moisturizer.

All iLive content is reviewed by medical experts to ensure it is as accurate and factual as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable sites, academic research institutions and, where possible, proven medical research. Please note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to such studies.

If you believe that any of our content is inaccurate, out of date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

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 most often looks like. But they are not born like that at all. Wrinkling, cyanosis, 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, and chest worries parents; they wonder if this is normal? In the first days of a child's life, the sweat glands are not fully active and are not able to cope with sufficient hydration, which leads to dry skin. Still, such problems are temporary and in a few days everything should return to normal. If this does not happen, you need to figure out what is wrong.

ICD-10 code

Epidemiology

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

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Causes of dry skin in a newborn

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

1. dry air in the room where the child is;
2. use of low-quality and age-inappropriate hygiene products: soaps, shampoos, creams;
3. excessively wrapping the child;
4. the use of clothes and diapers made of synthetic fabrics;
5. intestinal pathology;
6. hereditary disease ichthyosis;
7. atopic dermatitis;
8. lack of retinol and vitamin PP - the most important substance involved in the metabolic processes of the body.

[5], [6]

Risk factors

Risk factors for the appearance of dry skin in a newborn include poor nutrition of a 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.

[7], [8], [9], [10]

Pathogenesis

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

[11], [12], [13], [14], [15]

Symptoms of dry skin in a newborn

In the first month of a baby's life, dry skin is quite normal. But what are the symptoms of dry skin in a newborn? The first signs are peeling of the skin of the palms, feet, dry skin of the tummy. Parents should try to create the proper 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 flaking in a newborn. During the period of swaddling, it is necessary to take air baths for at least two minutes, bathe in warm water every day, without adding potassium permanganate, because It dries the skin very much, use a humidifier, do not turn on the air conditioner. If everything is fine with this, but the newborn still has dry and flaky skin, you need to check the clothes and diapers in which the baby is wrapped. It is quite possible that they are made of synthetic materials, or that the seams rub against the baby’s delicate body (in children’s clothes the seams are on the front side). It is quite possible that washing detergents are not suitable; they must be special ones that do not contain chemical components. Diapers should be changed every 4 hours and immediately after bowel movements. After removing it, it is recommended to wash or wipe the child with damp cotton pads and allow him to 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 an incorrect diet for a nursing mother or an unsuitable formula for infants. It is necessary to analyze what could cause such a reaction and exclude the product from the menu. If the newborn has dry skin on his forehead, it is possible that the wrong baby soap or other detergent is being used. These products should not contain allergenic fragrances and they should not be used every day, except for washing the groin area. It is enough to use once a week to wash your hair, twice for your 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, ending with the chin. Change the disk and 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.

[16]

Newborn has dry skin on legs

In the first days of life, a newborn has dry skin on his legs - a consequence of intrauterine lubrication, which exists for better passage of the birth canal. It is absorbed within a few days, 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 folds with wet wipes, lubricate with baby cream and sprinkle with powder. It is best to buy baby care products in pharmacies 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. Consequences and complications are not only constant unpleasant sensations for the baby due to which he sleeps poorly and behaves poorly, but also the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into damaged skin: bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Without taking proper measures, childhood eczema and psoriasis may appear.

[17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]

Diagnosis of dry skin in a newborn

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

[23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32]

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is designed to answer whether a disease, improper care, mother’s nutrition, or feeding the child 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.

Who to contact?

Treatment of dry skin in a newborn

Treatment for dry skin in a newborn depends on the reasons that caused this phenomenon. First of all, it is necessary to organize proper care for the child. Daily bathing is a must. What should I bathe a newborn in if they have dry skin? The baby should have his own bath, thoroughly washed with soda and a sponge before each bath. Warm water is used - 34-37 0 C and gradually decreases by a degree with each procedure to 30-32 0. A solution of potassium permanganate should not be used, because it will dry out 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 rinse the child with clean water from the shower or from the jug. An individual towel for drying should be made of natural fabrics, and movements should be blotting. What to apply to dry skin of a newborn? There are special skin care products for infants for this purpose. They should be used to treat dry areas, especially folds.

What to do with dry skin in a newborn if all these measures do not help and new places with peeling of the epidermis appear? You definitely need to contact your pediatrician and find out the reason. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis requires the use of anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, antibiotics, and antioxidants.

Another unpleasant disease, ichthyosis, is of a genetic nature and consists in disrupting the process of keratinization of the skin. Unfortunately, a method to combat it has not yet been found, because... the reason 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 skin and flaking include diazolin, tavegil, suprastin.

Suprastin - prescribed to children from one month of age. It is available in tablets and liquid injections. The main active ingredient of the drug is chloropyramine hydrochloride. The dose for small children under one year of age is 5 mg or 0.25 ml, with the expectation that no more than 2 mg per kilogram of the child’s weight can be given per day. Adverse reactions that may follow after taking the drug are increased excitability and prolonged wakefulness of the baby. In this case, the drug is discontinued.

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

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 if you are allergic to it.

In case of disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in infants, Plantex for newborns is prescribed.

Plantex is a preparation in granules, consisting of natural ingredients: fennel, essential oil of the same plant, excipients: lactose, dextrose. Used starting from the age of two weeks, immediately after meals or in between feedings. To prepare the solution, add 100 ml of warm boiled water to one bag of granules and stir thoroughly until the granules are completely dissolved. Make a fresh solution at each appointment, do not prepare it for future use. Can be given from a bottle or spoon. If difficulties arise with this, it can be taken by a nursing mother; the product will reach the baby with her milk. Contraindications to the drug are intolerance to the components and deficiency of the lactose enzyme. Side effects include allergies.

Skin care products are indispensable for dry skin. 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, therefore 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, because Allergy manifestations 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 baby body care products, including vitamins, will also improve the condition of the skin, unless there is a more complex problem behind it.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

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

Traditional treatment

Traditional treatment for dry skin suggests the use of baths with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic herbs, lotions, powders prepared according to folk recipes. Here are a few of them:

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

[33], [34]

Herbal treatment

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

Homeopathy

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

The following are used as sedatives: “Kaprizulya”, “Notta”, “Hare”, “Edas”, “Baby-Sed”, “Valerianahel”, “Nervohel”, “Scamp”.

“Hare” is a fruit syrup that contains barberry fruits, caraway seeds, mint, lemon balm, motherwort, hawthorn, chamomile, valerian root, vitamins A and B6. The dose is determined by a homeopath, but the general regimen is that the drug is dissolved in water (on average a teaspoon) and given to the baby during feeding. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to any of the constituent components. Allergies are possible as a side effect.

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

Here are a few more homeopathic medicines that can be purchased in pharmacies and used to treat children:

1. Spenglersan colloid K is a skin spray, a clear liquid with a specific odor. For infants up to one year old, one spray three times a day is recommended. No contraindications or side effects were found;
2. Traumeel S – ointment, has anti-inflammatory, anti-exudative effect. 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 in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
3. Notta is a sedative drug, 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 manifestations;
4. iricar - cream, used for itchy skin of various origins, eczema. Before use, children under one year of age should consult a doctor. Apply to problem areas of the skin with a light ball three times a day. There are known cases of hypersensitivity reactions to the use of the drug.

Surgery

Surgical treatment for dry skin is resorted to if the skin becomes infected with severe signs of intoxication: high fever, the appearance of deep abscesses or carbuncles. Other conditions do not require surgery.

Prevention

Preventive measures to avoid dry skin include: maintaining a favorable microclimate in the room where the newborn is located. To do 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 ventilate it periodically. Daily bathing in warm, comfortable water with the addition of medicinal herbs, using certified children's cosmetics, natural clothes, feeding with mother's milk and following a diet will make it possible to avoid skin problems.

[35], [36]

Forecast

The prognosis for dry skin in newborns, not complicated by genetic diseases, is favorable provided that the rules of skin care 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 every reason for the doctor to suggest termination of pregnancy.

[37]