Dry Skin

Dry skin is a universal complaint, and people who live in dry climates or who have a family history of dry skin have even more reason to complain.

While it is uncomfortable, dry skin is more a matter of vanity than of health. Sometimes, however, excessively dry skin can sting, which can lead to a vicious cycle of itching and scratching — the "itch-scratch cycle" —and can lead to secondary skin infection or scarring.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is often associated with dry skin, in fact, it is the most common stinging skin condition in children. It usually begins when the child is breastfeeding, but can begin after the first birthday or in the early years of school age. Eczema — itchy, red, scaly patches of skin — occurs most commonly in children with a family history of eczema or other allergic reactions, including asthma and hay fever.
Babies are most commonly affected by eczema on the face, legs, and arms. In children one year and older, it commonly appears in the creases of the knees and elbows. The stinging can be quite severe and often disturbs the sleep of affected children. Itching also serves to continue the cycle, while scratching can lead to more red, itchy areas of the skin and can also lead to secondary infection with bacteria or viruses.

Treating Dry Skin and Eczema The most important treatment (and preventative measure) for dry skin and eczema is to keep your skin well moisturized. Bathe your child every day in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes, followed by applying a thick moisturizer to the wet surface of the skin.

Good moisturizers include greasy ointments like petroleum jelly and heavy creams. The most effective creams come in tubes, if you can pour them out of a bottle then they will not be as effective. Bathing for long periods of time can dry out your skin and make things worse. Children with eczema are also often treated with topical steroid ointments which may be prescribed by a pediatrician or dermatologist. These ointments help reduce inflammation and itching and work great when used in conjunction with moisturizers. Antihistamines also help relieve itching, and antibiotics are occasionally needed if the skin becomes infected.

Other helpful strategies for dry skin and eczema include using the humidifier in the baby's room, avoiding wool and synthetics in clothing, and using fragrance-free detergents and soaps. Although there is no cure for eczema, research is always being done on new drugs to test their effectiveness and safety. What's more, approximately 60 percent of babies develop eczema by their third birthday, and 85 to 90 percent by the time of adolescence. .

Associated Conditions: Various conditions related to dry skin can appear in patients with eczema. Ichthyosis vulgaris is a type of polygon-shaped scales, usually found on the lower legs. Think about what happens when a mud pit dries up and cracks.

Keratosis pilaris It is a common condition characterized by rough bumps of the skin (similar to sandpaper) on the upper outer part of the forearm, thighs, and, in infants, on the cheeks. Both conditions tend to be worse in the winter and somewhat better in the summer.

Pityriasis alba It consists of white patches on the skin of the cheeks and is usually more prominent in late summer because the affected areas tan less than the surrounding skin. White spots can appear when eczema in these areas heals, resulting in a temporary loss of pigmentation.

The treatment for all these conditions it consists fundamentally in a good moisturizing of the skin. Special moisturizers that contain alpha-hydroxy acids can be helpful for itchtyosis and keratosis pilaris, and regular use of sunscreen can make pityriasis alba lesions less noticeable. All of these conditions can improve as the baby grows, but sometimes this persists into adulthood.
Source: Dr Anthony Mancini, Pampers