Baby skin care

introduction

Proper skin care plays a special role in babies. The structure and composition of the skin in a baby is very different from that of an adult. The skin is an organ that protects the human body, gives it warmth and is an important barrier for the penetration of pathogens. During the birth and in the first hours after the birth, the baby is protected from external influences by the cheese smear. Then the skin has to take over this function itself.

The baby skin is, however much thinner and more delicate than that of an adult. She reacts faster to external stimuli and you essential protection mechanisms are missing. On the one hand, babies' subcutaneous fatty tissue is not fully developed, so they are much more sensitive to cold than adults and must always be kept warm. On the other hand, the sebum glands, which form fats for the skin's protective film, are not yet fully functional. That's why the protective fat film on the skin is not completely formed become. There are gaps through which it becomes one Loss of water what the thin and delicate baby skin can come in addition dries up. In addition, pathogens can easily penetrate through these gaps, which can attack the tissue and lead to inflammation.

That too Ratio of body surface area to body weight is in babies as opposed to adults greatly increased. This gives harmful external influences and pathogens a larger, unprotected attack surface and the skin loses moisture more quickly.

Since the baby's skin is not adequately shielded from external influences due to the incomplete protective fat layer, the inadequate protective acid layer that protects against germs, and the increased loss of water thorough and above all intensive skin care is recommended. When it comes to care, it is important that the selected products are tailored to the baby's skin and that they support and not restrict the natural process of skin development and maturation.

A extensive information about possible care products and how to use them correctly can be obtained from the treating pediatrician or accompanying midwife respectively. Proper and especially early skin care can Prevent inflammation and infection. In addition, the intensive care can be used well to convey security and security through skin contact, which has a positive effect on further development.

The baby skin

The structure of the skin in babies is very different from that of an adult. The top layer of skin in babies is particularly thin and tends to tear faster. Because the baby's sebum and sweat glands are not yet fully functional, only a small amount of fats are formed, which can maintain the protective fatty film of the skin. The baby's natural protective acid film is also not yet formed, so that possible pathogens can more easily penetrate small open areas of the skin and lead to inflammatory reactions.

The defective, thin film of fat on the baby's skin is gradually washed off by every contact with water and it takes time for it to form again.Because babies have a very large body surface area to weight ratio, they run the risk of losing a lot of fluids. The skin is therefore more prone to irritation, appears irritated and becomes cracked and rough. To counteract dehydration, special washing lotions can be helpful.

Above all, parents should pay attention to how the condition of the skin develops or changes. The skin folds in the armpits, diaper and neck area are particularly sensitive to irritation. Any new redness should be treated immediately to prevent possible infections. In contrast to the skin of an adult, baby skin is particularly sensitive to solar radiation. The baby's skin produces little pigment in the first few years, so babies should never be exposed to solar radiation without appropriate protection.
Birthmarks in babies can also occur, but in most cases they are completely harmless

Please also read our article on this Baby Rash - What's Behind It?

Skin care for dry skin in babies

Skin care for babies should be of great importance even with healthy skin be carried out conscientiously, but at increasing dry skin in the baby it becomes even more important. To treat dry skin and to prevent it, one should use care products that are on the one hand Donate moisture and on the other hand one moisturizing effect achieve. The creams and lotions used should not applied too thick otherwise the damaged skin has no room for ventilation or breathing.

Bathing is better for the skin than constant washing. You should add lipid-replenishing products to the water and make sure that you are the baby bathes no more than twice a week. It is also important that with babies no synthetic clothing is used. Cotton is friendlier to the skin, does not irritate and prevents irritation. It is also breathable and absorbs moisture that is secreted.

Dry skin and irritation arise mainly in the diaper area as so-called diaper rash. That's why you should also be on the Po caring and soothing baby creams use and allow the affected areas to air.

Skin care for atopic dermatitis in babies

The Atopic dermatitis in babies is a chronic skin disease that can manifest itself in babies. The one commonly found in babies oozing cradle cap is a manifestation of neurodermatitis. It is characterized by weeping, reddened and flaky spots on the eyes, on the scalp and in the folds of the skin of the large joints, such as the knees and armpits. The baby begins to grow in the affected areas scratch and therefore through the Immigration of pathogens Form inflammation.

Babies with eczema need one particularly careful skin care and will have to continue with them all their lives. One should make sure that the Skin not washed too often becomes. When bathing should Care products used that Provide moisture and have a moisturizing effect. This strengthens and regenerates the protective covering of the skin.

If the skin remains dry and flaky you can also get it Ointments with zinc deploy. In addition, skin care creams are helpful Urea or olive oil contain and have a nourishing effect on the skin. Bath additives the wheat bran or Potassium permanganate can also be used to care for atopic dermatitis and soothe the itching.

Baby skin care in winter

Because the babies lack subcutaneous fat, they cannot warm themselves sufficiently and threaten to cool down quickly. One should think of this in every season of the year, but especially in winter. Also at Wearing warm clothes, the baby's face and hands remain unprotected and exposed to the cold air. Cold air and also particularly dry heating air can severely irritate and dry out baby's sensitive skin. In order to counteract the drying out of the skin due to the change between the cold outside air and the warm air from the heating, one can damp towels on the heater and thereby increase the humidity.

Baby's skin is constantly losing water to the surrounding air. In addition, at particularly cold temperatures, the skin produces even less oil than normal. This is the Baby skin is even less protected in cold temperatures and can be attacked and irritated more easily. You should also care for your skin in winter moisturizing and greasy products that strengthen the natural protective film. When you leave the house with the baby and it's below 10 degrees outside, you should always remember that Child to dress warmly and apply lotion to the face again. Also care products that come with Olive or almond oil enriched, help to nourish the skin and give it a soft and supple complexion.

Skin care on the face of the baby

Skin care on babies' faces is usually not particularly expensive. As a rule, less is more. The baby's skin does not normally need additional support unless there is an illness or the skin on the face is very dry. Care with expensive cosmetic products is usually not yet necessary. Usually it is sufficient to cleanse the face with lukewarm water and carefully remove and wipe away food residues. In winter, special fat creams should be used that can protect the face from the cold air and dehydration.

Since the baby's skin is particularly sensitive to solar radiation, the facial skin should always be protected and not directly exposed to the sun. If this cannot be prevented, the baby's facial skin should be treated with a sunscreen that contains a high sun protection factor.
Read more on this topic under: Sun protection for children - helpful tips! The products used should always be free of fragrances, dyes and alcohol, as these can also attack the skin and cause irritation in the facial area. Neutral skin creams can be used to care for the face as they only contain natural products such as jojoba or sunflower oil.

Please also read our article on this Dry skin on the face

Baby skin care products

Choosing the right skin care products for babies is very important. There are many different products available, but not all will produce the desired effect. For one adequate care and refatting the skin is the Use of oils, creams and lotions Recommended from birth. Moisturizing products not only care for the upper layers of the skin, but also penetrate deeper areas and provide moisture. The fat content of the individual products can be very different depending on the cream and its area of ​​application.

Normal lotionsthat one for daily creaming or use after bathing may contain about 20% fat. Creams that are mainly used in winter to protect against the cold have a fat content of 70%. PH-neutral care products help the baby's skin to form the body's own protective acid mantle. On Products that contain fragrances and dyes or alcohol should be avoided as they attack the skin and, in addition to irritation, can also lead to allergic reactions in the form of rashes. The Kaufmanns skin and children's cream is a skin-friendly care cream for babies.

It is also advised to use creams that Contain urea, as these strengthen the skin layer and thereby the Reduce water loss. Products that are quickly absorbed and easy to distribute are particularly good for baby skin care. You should always make sure that you have the Do not apply the cream too thickso that a heat build-up that too Rashes in the baby, Irritation and pimples is avoided.

Home remedies

Well-known home remedies are often used for optimal skin care for babies. The use of vegetable oils is preferred by many parents. Conventional olive oil is often used. It can either be applied to baby's skin or added to a bath. Applying olive oil to baby skin has a calming, relaxing and nourishing effect. The fats that are present in the oil care for the layers of the skin and moisturize them. Irritated areas of the skin are cleaned and the skin feels softer and fresher.

Massage of the baby with olive oil not only strengthens the texture of the skin, but is also good for the child's well-being. It strengthens the connection between parent and child by strengthening and intensifying physical contact.

Other home remedies that are popular with baby skin care are milk, honey, and aloe vera. These products also have a nourishing and soothing effect and relieve severe itching. The application of chamomile or quark can relieve the symptoms and improve the condition of the skin on irritated and severely irritated skin areas. Chamomile can simply be boiled as a tea and then applied to the affected skin areas after cooling for a short time. Chamomile has a calming effect and promotes the healing process. Quark not only provides moisture, but also has an anti-inflammatory effect on damaged skin areas.

You might also be interested in: Baby carrier or sling - what is the best way to transport my baby?