Tips for Maintaining Baby’s Skin Health
Of course, baby skin is still very sensitive, but it is not uncommon for mothers to try various types of baby skin care products. In fact, using baby skin care products at the same time can actually cause irritation. Find out more about keeping baby’s skin healthy!
Various Types of Skin Diseases in Babies that Often Appear
Based on dr. Patricia Aulia, there are several skin diseases in babies that often appear, namely:
1. Miliaria
Miliaria or commonly called prickly heat is a skin disease that is often experienced by babies.
This type of baby skin disease is characterized by the presence of small red nodules and sometimes can be filled with fluid and accompanied by itching. As a result, babies are often fussy and have trouble sleeping. Therefore, if a baby has miliaria, it must be treated immediately.
How to treat prickly heat (miliaria) in infants:
The first thing you can do to reduce redness and itching is to keep the baby in a hot place and take him to a cool place. Always pay attention to the condition of baby clothes. If the baby’s clothes are sweaty, then change the clothes.
Prickly heat in babies can be treated using low potency steroid creams. Use the steroid cream according to the doctor’s prescription so that the goals of treatment can be achieved and avoid side effects.
2. Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
After prickly heat, atopic dermatitis is a skin problem that often occurs in babies. Babies who have a history of hereditary allergies and asthma from their parents have a higher chance of experiencing atopic dermatitis. Just like prickly heat, atopic dermatitis also causes itching and redness on the baby’s skin.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in infants are the appearance of a red rash on the baby’s cheeks, which is very itchy. Apart from the cheeks, atopic dermatitis also often affects the elbow folds and knee folds. Atopic dermatitis rashes are intermittent and can recur.
How to treat milk eczema (atopic dermatitis) in infants:
The way to deal with atopic dermatitis is to use a low potency steroid cream according to a doctor’s prescription.
Babies who have atopic dermatitis have a very dry and sensitive skin type, so they need special attention in caring for their skin. To prevent atopic dermatitis from recurring, always use a mild, unscented moisturizing soap.
3. Diaper Rash (Diaper Rash)
Most babies who wear diapers often experience diaper rash, also known as diaper rash. Symptoms of diaper rash are characterized by skin redness, itching, and can even be accompanied by the appearance of pus and fever.
Diaper rash is a skin disease in babies because the skin covered by the diaper is irritated by the baby’s urine or feces. Apart from urine and stool irritation, diaper rash is also caused by fungal or bacterial infections. Baby’s skin hypersensitivity to diaper material can also be a cause of babies experiencing diaper rash.
How to treat diaper rash (diaper rash) in infants:
- Change diapers frequently
- Use a cream that contains zinc oxide to maintain the baby’s skin barrier
- Use a cream that contains Aloe Vera and vitamin E
- Use a low potency steroid cream to reduce inflammation and redness
- Use an antifungal cream (prescription required) to prevent yeast from growing in the diaper area, which can worsen the skin condition and slow healing.
After knowing what are the common baby skin diseases, of course mothers must understand what the criteria for healthy baby skin are like. Here are the characteristics of healthy baby skin:
- Not dry
- Not scaly
- No redness
- No itching on the skin
- Smooth and soft when touched.
Tips for Caring for Baby’s Skin that Parents Need to Know
Caring for baby skin is actually not difficult as long as you know the right way. Especially for daily baby skin care, you can do the following:
- Use warm water when bathing the baby. Do not be too hot because it can cause dry skin and redness.
- Use special baby bath soap, especially if the baby’s skin is sensitive. If your baby has eczema/atopic dermatitis, choose a hypoallergenic bath soap. This means that the soap is made from safe ingredients and does not cause allergies.
- After bathing, dry the baby’s skin with a soft towel and make sure the skin is completely dry before using diapers. Moist skin can cause yeast to grow in the diaper area, thus triggering diaper rash.
- Use a moisturizer / moisturizer, especially in babies with eczema. Choose a moisturizer without excessive fragrance.
- Be careful when using warming oil or powder products, as many of these products are made with chemicals that can cause irritation, especially in the diaper area.
- Use clothes that are soft, comfortable to move around in, and can absorb sweat well.
- Adjust baby clothes with air temperature. Many parents dress their babies in layers so that the baby feels warm, even though the temperature is very hot. Babies who wear too many and thick clothes may sweat and cause miliaria.
Baby Skin Care Myths and Facts
There are many facts and myths about baby skin care that are widely spread in society. Before misinterpreting it, it’s good for us to know first what is wrong and right. Here are some myths and facts about baby skin care according to Dr. Patricia Aulia:
1. Using antiseptic soap, is it necessary?
One important factor in caring for baby’s skin is choosing the right bath soap. Many think that antiseptic bath soap is good for maintaining the health of baby’s skin because it can kill germs that cause rashes or eczema.
In fact, antiseptic soaps have chemical compounds that are too harsh for baby’s sensitive skin. Its use can instead cause irritation and redness of the skin. It is better to choose baby soap that is gentle and without excessive fragrance.
2. Milk eczema is caused by the baby’s cheeks being exposed to breast milk, is it true?
Many mothers do not want to breastfeed their babies directly for fear that the milk will spill onto their babies’ cheeks and cause milk eczema. This is not true!
In fact, milk eczema is an inflammation of the skin in infants caused by genetic/congenital factors. In addition, direct breastfeeding without a pump also has many positive effects, such as strengthening the emotional bond between mother and baby.
3. Cleaning baby’s skin with wet wipes, is it safe?
Wet wipes are often used to clean baby’s skin, such as wiping the baby’s mouth after eating to cleaning the diaper area. Actually, are wet wipes safe for babies?
In fact, wet wipes contain chemical compounds and alcohol so that if used improperly it can cause many skin diseases.
In addition, cleaning with wet wipes also causes soap residue to remain on the skin which can cause allergies in babies. It is best if the baby’s skin is cleaned using a clean cloth or towel and water and don’t forget to dry it.
Wet wipes may be used when traveling away from home because they are more practical, but not too often.
Questions About Maintaining Baby’s Skin Health (Answered by Dr. Patricia Aulia)
DoctorHealthy together @KelasMomBaby and @sharingmombaby held a direct debriefing with dr. Patricia Aulia through the WhatsApp group. Here are some questions about baby skin care that were answered directly by dr. Patricia Aulia:
Name: Siti Maudy Agustini
Child Age: 18 months
My child once had small, red bumps on his neck like hives. At first I thought it was due to allergies or sweat, but the next day it appeared again in the same section even though my child wasn’t sweating. Why is that and how to deal with it?
Answer:
In the medical world, hives are known as urticaria. The hallmark of urticaria is a red rash that appears and disappears within 24 hours and is usually accompanied by itching. Immediately take it to the nearest medical service center if there is difficulty breathing and swelling of the mouth or eyelids.
This disease is indeed intermittent and often relapses. Apart from changes in temperature, urticaria is often triggered by foods such as eggs, milk, nuts, and dust. You can try to avoid the trigger factors, but if the pain continues, you should consult a dermatologist or the nearest pediatrician.
Name: indry
Child Age: 4 months
Can salicyl powder be used as a substitute for diaper rash cream?
Answer:
Salicyl powder is not recommended for sprinkling on the diaper area and genital area. This is because salicyl powder contains salicylic acid which can cause skin erosion, which can trigger irritation, redness and itching.
Name: Ari Farida
Child Age: 24 months
Is actually using telon oil recommended for babies? Considering that baby’s skin is still very sensitive, telon oil may contain chemicals that can irritate baby’s skin.
Answer:
Telon oil contains 3 types of natural oil composition, namely eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, and coconut oil. Telon oil may be given, but try it with a small amount first to be able to assess whether an allergic reaction occurs or not. It is better not to use it at the same time or mixed with other ingredients such as powder or baby oil. Choose products that have been approved by BPOM.
Name: Ita Murtaziqoh
Child Age: 4 months
How to deal with dry skin like crusts on a baby’s head?
Answer:
Can use shampoo containing Selenium sulfide and Zinc. You can also try applying petroleum jelly for 5-10 minutes before giving shampoo to soften the scales on the baby’s scalp, so they can be easily removed.
Name: Iffati Aulia
Child Age: 10 months
Is it true that to be protected from UV rays, babies need sunscreen? If so, are there recommendations for how to use it for babies and what kind of sunscreen can be used for babies?
Answer:
Yes, the use of sunscreen is allowed for babies over 6 months old. Use a labeled sunscreen broad spectrum which means it has protection against UVA and UVB at the same time with a minimum spf of 15. Use sunscreen Preferably on the culidio area, apply 20 minutes before sun exposure.
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