Cold winter has just arrived, and it brings along with it several skin problems. Dryness of skin is one major problem associated with the cold season, and both kids and adults are equally affected by it. Allergies and cold-related problems are often associated with it. While countless cold creams are available in the market which can be tested on any type of adult skin, we can’t take a risk with younger ones whose skin is so delicate. Through this column, I shall give you a few methods to prevent dryness of kids’ skin. Prevention is always better than cure, isn’t it?
Instant Solutions for Skin Dryness in Kids
It’s not the case of winter only. Skin dryness can occur at any point in time. Itching of the skin soon after sweating, cold and cough at frequent intervals, and many more childhood diseases are linked with dry skin. This discomfort can deeply affect his sleep also. When he doesn’t get enough sleep, it affects all his daily activities. Naturally, it affects his mother also. So, it’s always a better choice to take measures of skin care in kids during the gestation period itself.
In the first 6 months of pregnancy, mother should take nutritious food to get rid of many complications in future, not just skin problems. We need to take care of certain points in the case of newborns as well, provided by both Allopathic and Ayurvedic methods. If you take a little care in food habits and lifestyle, you can prevent skin problems to a great extent in kids.
Boiled coconut oil for infant bath
Breast milk is the best food for babies, and as long as a mother can provide it to her baby, it has a great impact on the baby’s health. Apart from playing a vital role in the defence mechanism, it also directly helps in the skin health of the baby.
Earlier newborn babies were bathed soon after birth. But now, he is only rubbed using a cloth, soon after his birth to prevent the loss of the sebaceous layer of his skin. You can boil coconut milk and make oil from it, and use it to massage him before taking a bath. After the bath, the moisture content should be fully absorbed. But never take extra pressure or rub his delicate skin to remove water content soon after bath.
Dryness of skin and allergy – Are they mutually linked?
Yes, allergy and skin dryness are correlated. Those persons with dry skin are prone to allergic problems, and their skin dries more in cold weather. During cold winter seasons and weather conditions, skin dryness is common in everyone. But such problems turn worse in dry-skinned persons.
For genetic reasons, too, a person can get dry skin. For instance, if any of the family members or blood relations have diseases such as asthma and eczema, it can be genetically passed to the next generation. If both parents are dry-skinned people, there are more chances that their baby too will have skin with the same characteristics. Thyroid problems can also lead to skin issues.
In normal cases, skin problems due to dryness in kids slowly disappear when he reaches 10. Yet extra care is to be given to his physical exercises, apart from giving him nutritious food. It’s always advisable to cultivate the ‘exercise’ habit since he is young.
If kids with dry skin have problems like obesity, it can lead to black patches or swellings on their skin surface. If it results in severe itching, you should consult a skin doctor as early as possible. But it’s to be noted that all dry skin conditions will lead to eczema. But if eczema conditions turn severe in kids, lines may appear on their skin without any reason, resulting in inflamed skin, or red and sore. Fish scale seen in the hands, legs or face of kids may be a symptom of eczema. Problems actually start only after 2-3 month interval.
A slight change in lifestyle
Avoid polyester clothes, and cotton clothes could be the best choice. Reduce the use of the air conditioner as much as possible. Drink plenty of water. Massage the body with oil before he takes his daily bath. Coconut oil suits almost all skin types. Sesame oil is the next option. Olive oil is yet another choice. Only use mild soap and shampoo for bathing kids. When he starts going home, never leave those old habits of oil massaging and other needful precautions. Never rub his skin too much while bathing or using soap. You can also use moisturiser, as suggested by your doctor. Moisturising cream can be applied to his body soon after his bath, before the moisture content completely dries from his body.
Wash his feet using a brush with soft bristles. It’s not advisable to use a pumice stone for this purpose. Breaking nails and the formation of cracks in the lips are major problems faced by dry-skinned people. But they should never use turmeric and nalpamara as the main ingredients of cosmetic products. They should use soap with less aroma and foam. If dry-skinned people bathe twice a day, their skin turns drier, as the natural skin moisture may get lost.
Care in food habits
Eat a lot of fruits and drink plenty of water. Yellow coloured fruits, vegetables and leafy vegetables can be included in the daily diet. Avoid fruits with a sour taste. Fresh juices can also be included. Rice, porridge, dal, ghee and rice flakes are best suited for dry-skinned people. Good digestion is essential for healthy skin. Also, take care of constipation problems. Drinking plenty of water can help avoid this problem to a great extent. Kids with dry skin should fully avoid junk food and food items with all-purpose flour (maida), and reduce the use of sugar and sweets.
Image source: Pixabay
Also read a few more articles related to child diseases and treatments. Click on the images in the gallery to read
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