After the baby was born, parents are faced with a huge number of moments that are associated with caring for newborns. Indeed, in fact, babies are not born pink, chubby and smooth, but shriveled, having a purple skin tone and swollen eyes. And the skin of a newborn is almost always covered. The causes of peeling of the skin in a baby can be different.
Addiction to the outside world
The skin of the child adapts to new conditions. This is the most common reason why newborns have skin breaks. Indeed, in the womb it was dark, warm and humid, and the baby’s skin was protected by a special original lubrication. And now she needs to adapt to contact with dry air, water, clothes. She needs to learn how to hydrate and renew in the new environment. It must be remembered that if there is no redness or swelling on the skin, and the child feels well, then it means that the skin of the newborn is not scary at all. Most likely, such peeling will take place on its own. You just need to follow basic hygiene rules for kids.
Dry air
The baby's skin may peel off due to excessively dry air in the room. Most often this happens during the heating season, when the air in the apartments is completely dried by batteries, and humidifiers are not used. You need to know that in order for all systems of the body of the newborn to function normally, the humidity level in the room where he sleeps should be from 50 to 70 percent. It is necessary to moisten the air in order not only to avoid peeling of the skin, but also to dry out the mucous membrane in the nose. This can lead to respiratory failure. If there is no way to install a humidifier, and the newborn has skin on his body, then wet cleaning should be regularly carried out. You can place dishes with water around the room, and put wet towels on the batteries. During evaporation, the air will be humidified.
Improper care
Very often, the skin of a newborn is covered due to the fact that it is improperly looked after. Many parents add a solution of potassium permanganate to the water while bathing the baby. But it dries the skin. Baths with potassium permanganate should be only with special indications. And so, it is better to bathe the baby in ordinary water, which can be pre-boiled. But supplements are not needed. You should try not to use shampoo and soap more than once a week. And you also need to constantly monitor the reaction of the baby’s skin to the use of creams, shampoos, oils, gels and other cosmetics. Closes the skin in the newborn due to an allergy to these hygiene products. It is possible that you will need to change the tools used or select them individually, trying different options. You need to buy cosmetics in trusted places and choose only brands that are credible and have good reviews.
Peeling of the head
If the scalp of a newborn is covered, this is quite natural. This phenomenon is provoked by the active release of fat. But the cause of peeling of the scalp can be seborrheic dermatitis, which usually occurs by the age of two months. You need to visit a pediatrician who will tell you how to process the skin. Sometimes you can hear advice that you do not need to pay attention to peeling, as it passes by the age of one year. Some advise the crusts to be steamed or softened with oil, and then combed out when bathing.
The impact of natural phenomena
On the face, the skin of children peels as a result of a reaction to weathering and cold, or to sun exposure. Why do babies have skin on their hands? For the same reasons. To prevent peeling, during walks, you need to protect the baby from direct sunlight and wind, and before walking in cold weather, apply a special cream on the skin half an hour before the walk.
Food allergy
Very often, in newborn children, the skin peels off due to an allergic reaction to food. If the baby is currently breastfeeding, then it is likely that there may be an allergy to some product used by the mother. If the feeding is artificial, then a reaction may occur to the mixture. With allergies, a newborn has skin on his arms, legs, head and body. In this case, various rashes may appear, which are accompanied by burning and itching.
Powder and clothing allergy
If an allergic reaction to food, as well as cosmetics, is excluded, then perhaps the skin is peeling due to washing powder or rinse aid. In such a situation, it is necessary to replace the funds used with others that do not cause allergies.
The material from which the clothes are made, harmful dyes and artificial fabrics can also cause itching and allergies. Because of this, the skin is in the groin. In a newborn, she is very tender, so you should pay attention to the composition of clothes and choose only natural fabrics.
Other reasons
There are many other causes of
peeling in an infant. Only a doctor can determine them accurately. He will prescribe the right comprehensive treatment, if necessary. There are problems that require specialist intervention. These include: scabies, fungus, ticks, genetic problems, ringworm. Self-treatment can only worsen the situation, and valuable time will be lost.
Prevention of skin problems in babies
- No need to bathe a newborn more than once a day. Otherwise, the skin is overdried.
- After bathing, the baby’s skin should not be rubbed, but gently soaked.
- After bathing, moisturizers must be applied.
- You can replace cosmetics for children with wheat germ oil, peach or olive. You need to choose something that the child will not have an allergic reaction.
- In summer, you need to use baby sunscreen.
- It is often necessary to change the diapers, as well as allow the skin of the child to "breathe", while waking leaving him without them.
- Do not use moisturizers just before going out.
- Indoor air must be humidified.
- You do not need to use cosmetics, which include the substance lanolin. It is a very strong allergen.
- A nursing mother should monitor her diet and not eat foods that can cause allergies.
What other skin problems are there in newborns?
1) Redness may appear on the child’s body after passing through the birth canal. And redness is the reason for adapting the blood supply system to new conditions. If the baby does not bother anything, then special care is not needed, and everything will pass in a few days.
2) White spots may appear on the face of the newborn a couple of weeks after birth. A month later they pass. The cause of their occurrence is in the hormones of the mother, which after birth are still in the blood of the baby.
3) Yellowness of the skin in newborns is physiological jaundice, which appears on the second or third day after birth and passes completely after a couple of weeks.
4) Marble skin - this is when blood vessels are visible. This is due to the incompletely formed autonomic nervous system.
5) In the first few days after birth, the skin on the hands and feet may have a bluish tint. This is a normal occurrence. Within a few days, blood flow returns to normal. And up to this point, you need to put on a newborn's socks or overalls that cover the legs so that he does not freeze.