The baby's skin is undoubtedly much more sensitive and delicate than that of adults and can suffer from different conditions, the most common being desquamation or eczema.
Approximately 10% of babies present some type of atopic dermatitis at some point in their lives during the first three months of life, however, it can continue into childhood. So far there are no clear-cut causes to explain why some children suffer from it and others do not, but doctors agree that there is a percentage that is due to genetics -there would be babies more prone to manifest it, or environmental reasons.
If your baby was born a little after the estimated date of birth, it is normal to experience a little flaking that is painless. There is nothing to worry about.
When we observe that our baby's skin becomes red, has small rashes, is quite dry and flakes or presents red patches, it is important that you communicate this to your pediatrician, depending on the level of discomfort or extension on your child's skin, the doctor will indicate a treatment that avoids any pain, itching or discomfort that makes your baby irritable.
These treatments are usually topical, over-the-counter and used for a set period of time. It is key to keep your baby's skin hygienic and moisturize it according to your doctor's instructions.
How you bathe and dress your baby is very important, since their skin is more sensitive than that of adults and soaps or lotions can alter their PH and produce allergies that can lead to eczema.
Make sure their clothes are made of natural fibers such as cotton, avoid synthetic fabrics or very heavy materials. Use soft and hypoallergenic soaps on their skin and clothes and follow the doctor's recommendations regarding bathing. Some pediatricians ask you to reduce the frequency of bathing if your baby is in a period of skin crisis, since it could dry out more.
If your baby is already in the complementary feeding stage, keep a close eye on how your baby's skin reacts to certain foods, because some of them could trigger these allergic reactions.
Doctors usually group the different types of eczema using these criteria:
● By itchiness or intensity of itching.
● By location on the body
● By the appearance of the irritation
They in turn have multiple causes, the most common being:
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Irritants: those substances that trigger itching, redness. It can be anything from a lotion to a cleaning product or perfume. The key is to identify them to avoid contact with the baby.
Stress: if the baby is going through some radical change that disturbs him, he may become irritable and it will somatize on the skin. From weaning, some situation at home that is making him sensitive. Mother's stress and postpartum depression often cause some episodes of eczema in children. Let's not forget the maxim: happy parents have happy and healthy children, trying to stay calm is key.
Heat and sweating: quite common in babies living in hot and humid climates or in those living in countries with a very marked summer. It usually occurs in areas where there are creases such as the neck, elbows, knees, armpits, and the bottom of the head. It is important to keep your skin dry, cool and moisturized. Wear fresh clothes and avoid heavy products on your skin, creams and lotions should be light.
Fever: in cases of very high fevers, some babies may develop a rash. It is very important to validate with the pediatrician what to do in these cases and keep the baby under observation.
Allergens: pollen, dust, dog or cat fluff are just some of the particles that can trigger eczema.
In any case, it is important to keep the skin moisturized but dry, free of humidity or sweat, ventilated with light clothing and observing in any case the symptoms or signs that the baby presents.
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