Many newborns experience issues with dry skin. The skin of a baby is very thin and sensitive. It is not yet developed enough to produce the oils that moisturize the skin. By the time a baby becomes an adult, the skin tissue is fully developed. Just out of the womb, however, newborns are particularly susceptible to dry skin because the oils that moisturize it aren’t yet being secreted. This is why we often see newborns with dry skin or some form of dermatitis. Dry skin can manifest in many forms: redness, flakiness, or a leathery texture.
The baby dry skin on face is more prominent in the discussion as it becomes visible to all
There are a number of causes that result in patches of dry skin.
As mentioned above, the sensitivity of a newborn’s skin makes it more susceptible to dry skin because it’s still only at a developmental stage.
Some babies are more likely to have dry skin than others, but all babies are more at risk during the winter months. This is for two reasons: first, the cold, biting wind can wreak havoc and dry out skin. Second, cold weather means more artificial heat indoors. Dry, overheated indoor air is the most likely culprit of a newborn baby’s dry skin problem. The environment absorbs moisture from the air. Thus, the skin of the baby becomes dry, and patches of dryness become visible.
The summer months are not as detrimental to a baby’s skin, but being in the sun too much or for too long can dry out the skin. Similar to winter months, air conditioning to make the temperature cooler indoors can cause patches of dry skin to form.
Generally, then, drastic changes in temperature and humidity in the air are two of the most important causes of newborn baby’s dry skin. Harsh chemicals are an added factor, too; particularly when swimming. Both the natural salt of the ocean and the chlorinated water of an indoor swimming pool can cause patches of dry skin in babies.
Is Dry Skin a Symptom of Eczema?
Parents constantly worry about the health and welfare of their baby. First-time parents can be particularly anxious. When a mother or father first notices dry skin appearing on their newborn, they immediately panic and assume it must be the first signs of eczema. Due to being uninformed about the specific symptoms of a host of diseases and ailments, it is logical that parents would react like this. Most people don’t know the technical difference between eczema and dry skin. The reality is, the two are very different. Normal dry skin is just that: dry and flaky. Eczema, however, actually causes the skin to crack and bleed. It looks a lot more like sores than just dry skin. Normal dry skin isn’t painful, but eczema can be very painful. Obviously, it’s hard to tell if your newborn is in pain since they can’t talk yet, but the physical differences alone make it easy to differentiate between the two.
Is it a symptom of eczema?
There are instances when newborn baby’s dry skin is neglected for a long time and can develop into a mild form of eczema. It is important to moisturize your baby, so their dry skin heals. This doesn’t happen in every case, but it’s always best to be safe.
How to Treat a Newborn Baby’s Dry Skin
Bath-time:
Because their skin is so sensitive, it is recommended to bath a baby in warm (not hot) water for between three and five minutes. Hot water causes the skin to seize up, leaving it more vulnerable to damage. Moreover, don’t over-scrub the baby’s skin when you’re washing them. Use a soft flannel cloth and a bath product that is marked as suitable for babies.
Moisturize:
This is the most important treatment for newborn baby’s dry skin. Make sure not to use any of those cheap or overly fake products; the ones that smell like a woman’s perfume or a man’s cologne. Use something fragrance-free and check the label before buying to make sure it doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients. Look out in particular for moisturizing and healing ingredients like baby dry skin coconut oil or aloe vera.
Temperature:
Don’t go crazy with the air conditioning. In the winter, make the house as cold as you possibly can without it being too cold. Overheating the re-circulated air isn’t good for you, and it certainly isn’t good for your baby. Similarly, in the hotter months don’t make your house as cold as the Arctic circle. Keep things comfortable, but avoid drastic temperature changes when possible. A general reminder: the bigger the difference between the temperature indoors and outdoors, the more your baby’s skin will dry up.
Clothing and Laundry:
Choose soft and gentle fabrics for your baby. Dressing them constantly in denim is a big no-no, as denim tends to chafe the skin. Cotton is probably the best option here. Then, when it comes to washing your baby’s clothes, consider carefully the detergent you use. Take a while to read the labels the first time you buy detergent after having a baby, so you get to know which is most natural and is the least likely to irritate their skin in any way.
Humidify:
If you’re really noticing your newborn baby’s dry skin and have tried all of the treatments above to no avail, you should invest in a humidifier, a device that actually adds moisture to the air. You might even think of buying a natural salt lamp, which generally improves the quality of the air.
Simple Tips for Healthy Skin in Babies
Don’t bath your baby more than you absolutely need to. If they’ve just had a bath and got messy during the day, for example, use gentle baby wipes instead.
Dry your baby as soon as they’re out of the bath. When you dry them, put the towel over their body gently: don’t rub. Use soft, fluffy towels, not old ones that feel tough.
Wrap your baby up nice and warm when it’s cold outside to protect them from the wind.
Keep a tub of petroleum jelly handy at all times. It works great for dry skin. Sure, it can be a little greasy: don’t use too much or your baby might slide around as if they’re ice-skating!
Try to find baby products that contain oatmeal. Oatmeal works wonders on dry skin.
Hydrocortisone is another ingredient to look out for. It’s found in a lot of dry skin products and is well known for its healing properties.
Remember
Don’t rush to conclusions: your baby probably just has a mild case of dry skin; not eczema. If you take heed of the advice above, it is likely that your newborn baby’s dry skin will become soft and supple. If their dry skin condition persists, however, consult your family doctor. They will have access to more sophisticated moisturizing products than those available over-the-counter and can monitor your baby’s progress according to the dosage requirements. No matter what, though: don’t panic. Dry skin on a newborn baby is very common. Just do what you always do: be a vigilant parent, treat it regularly, and it will most likely disappear within a couple of weeks.
at her birthday, my newborn had red itchy patches everywhere on her body except the face. The doctor said it was an allergy to clothing. It’s not common at all but it happened to my poor little baby. Thankfully eczema cream was working great. It calmed down immediately the baby and few hours after all red patches dispeared for good. I think it one of must have things in young mother’s medicine box.
Thanks so much for this complete and clear article!
Tracy
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at her birthday, my newborn had red itchy patches everywhere on her body except the face. The doctor said it was an allergy to clothing. It’s not common at all but it happened to my poor little baby. Thankfully eczema cream was working great. It calmed down immediately the baby and few hours after all red patches dispeared for good. I think it one of must have things in young mother’s medicine box.
Thanks so much for this complete and clear article!
Tracy