Does your baby have atopic skin?
Sometimes, we find it challenging to keep our skin hydrated and healthy; you are expected to be restless about your baby, especially if he has atopic skin.
So, if you want to know the main symptoms associated with this condition, the causes for which it occurs, or the appropriate treatment for your offspring, you have come to the right place.
Table of Contents
Does your baby have atopic skin?
I’ve been through the equal thing; this is why I recognize how complicated it’s far, however also the exceptional methods to relieve this problem.
The primary disadvantage of this sickness is that the little ones do not apprehend what is happening with their little frame, so they express their discomfort by crying.
Faced with this situation, you as a mother turn out to be overwhelming yourself because you don’t know how to inform her that the whole lot may be satisfactory, as is ordinary.
In the end, in these cases, the only thing we can do is highlight those terrible itching that you suffer as soon as possible so that you can rest easy.
My main advice is to be patient and not feel bad if this situation occurs. It’s not your fault.
And, above all, it is a problem with a solution. So I was hoping you could pay attention because I will give you all the keys you need.
Atopic skin in babies: What you need to know
To begin with, nothing better than to study the disease we face in-depth so that we are clear why it occurs and how we can identify it.
In this way, we can be aware of the first manifestations and take measures from the first moment to prevent your symptoms from getting worse and then becoming more complicated to treat.
That is why in this first block, I want to solve the most frequent questions that we usually ask ourselves when we discover that our little one suffers from this condition.
What is atopic skin?
It is a disease closely related to the skin’s level of sensitivity, which is more exposed to external factors (whether chemical or physical) and emotional aspects.
That is why when our son or daughter is overwhelmed by the discomfort, this alteration seems to increase, generating a vicious circle that unfortunately is quite difficult to break, as all parents know.
In turn, this vulnerability leads it to lose moisture, which is why it ends up presenting xerosis.
That is to say, it dries out, which leads it to lose its elastic properties. Consequently, it irritates and reddening, especially if our baby cannot avoid touching the area, finding comfort and calming that burning.
This scratching cycle is impossible to avoid, as we cannot explain why it should stop – it causes inflammation of the area and a more than frequent subsequent infection.
As a result, this terrible combination leads to its delicate skin deteriorating, making it present that declined and, above all, painful appearance.
This excessive vulnerability of the skin leaves it very exposed.
Its lipid composition presents a significant lack of ceramides, which is part of the intercellular lipids, responsible for maintaining cohesion between the different cells and preventing the tissues from drying out.
In other words, your child lacks a compound that is vital to keep the dermis healthy, which generates everything.
What are the symptoms?
We can divide atopic dermatitis into two well-differentiated phases.
First stage
The first characterizes by dry and flaky skin, so hydration through creams (as we will see later) will be essential to prevent it from going more.
Second Stage
In the second stage, known as an outbreak, the pain increases, so it is usual to resort to topical medications that reduce inflammation. Again, however, it will have to be the specialist who decides.
From 2 months of age, children can already have these discomforts, which usually appear suddenly, manifesting themselves through rashes that leave the skin peeling, dry, and with constant itching.
If the little one scratches forcefully, the dermis can become infected and even ooze.
Therefore, at the first signs of dryness, you must remain vigilant, paying particular attention to the areas of the folds of the elbows and knees, which is where these symptoms usually appear first.
Although it is also standard on the cheeks, scalp, and forehead during lactation.
What are the causes?
Unfortunately, atopic skin is a chronic condition closely related to genetic factors in families.
Analyze your family history if your child is biological since you will most likely find other cases among the closest branches.
It is a condition that your baby will have to live with (at best for several months), making it especially important that you educate yourself well about treating it.
But just because it will not magically disappear does not mean that your little one has to spend his life suffering from itching.Fortunately, good skincare makes these problems disappear or at least significantly soften.
In addition, it will not always occur with the same virulence, and, in many cases, it even decreases as the child grows, even disappearing before it enters puberty.
It is related to the characteristics of the skin of babies, which is 30% thinner, produces less sebum and melanin in the first months of life, and has a more basic pH, a mixture that makes it generally less protected.
One of the main ones is extreme temperatures (why you have to be so careful in winter). Still, in the same way, pollution, hygiene products with harmful compounds, a lack of essential fatty acids in the child’s body, or Excessive hygiene can, in turn, trigger these itches and discomfort.
Is it dangerous? Should I be worried?
As we have seen, this problem is, more than anything, annoying.
Its most serious consequences are the itching caused to the child.And the anxiety of not knowing how to stop this discomfort.
Then your dermis flakes irritate and damages, but there are no other related problems.
Therefore, although it is very unpleasant in every way, it does not have serious consequences, nor is it hazardous in the short, medium, or long term.
Of course, on many occasions, atopic skin usually comes from other allergy problems or at least symptoms associated with them.
Therefore, if you notice that your child suffers from asthmatic bronchitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, go to the specialist as soon as possible for tests. And you will know well what is causing this reaction.
The best treatments for atopic skin in babies
Once we have already faced the most common doubts and are very clear about atopic skin and why it occurs, I hope you are calmer about its severity.
With this information in mind, we can begin to delve into the remedies that offer the best results so that we will get to it.
Prevention measures
Before we get to grips with the treatment itself, it is okay to adopt a series of guidelines that will prevent the future appearance of eczema or at least reduce the chances of it arising.
Because we already know that prevention is always better than cure.
Therefore, the first thing is that you will have to flee from extreme temperatures. If you go outside in winter, keep it warm with your hands covered with mittens.
But this is useless if later at home you have the heating to the maximum .Since the cold that dries up is as bad as the heat that encourages excessive sweating, since this irritates the skin.
Therefore, the ideal temperature is one located around 21 degrees.
Protection
In turn, if you are going to go out, it is worth using sun protection.
And avoiding the hours of most significant incidence of its rays since babies are not prepared to spend a lot of time under the sun.
It may seem that it is more difficult to burn in winter or that its effects are less dangerous.
But remember that this is not true and, above all, minors are susceptible and that all precautions are good.
Continuing with the care of the environment, it is better that you move the little one away from highly contaminated areas, either by traffic smoke or by tobacco smoke.
Hygiene
You should also clean the house daily, as dust mites and pollen are other risk factor. In that sense, be careful with the rugs -which tend to accumulate between their fabrics- and with the fans dedicated to moving the dust throughout the room.
As for hygiene, avoid baths with very cold or hot water, those that are too long. And the use of sponges or anything that serves to rub your body.
Bet on warm water and gels suitable for sensitive skin, without parabens or irritants in their formula.
Or, better yet, use oils instead. Then, dry it with a soft cotton towel that has not washed with fabric softeners, and do it without dragging; it is better to give small touches.
Regarding clothes, it is better not to use synthetic fibers, wool, nylon (since they cause you to sweat more), or materials that itch.
Also, when you wash them, avoid overusing the fabric softeners and carry out an additional rinse.
It is also essential that you ventilate the room where he sleeps for at least fifteen minutes every day.
Even if you don’t do it with him inside, as he could catch a cold!
To prevent damage from scratching, you must ensure that their nails are always well cut so that they cannot break the skin barrier.
And even during extreme outbreaks, it is not a bad idea to put the mittens to go outside to sleep .(as long as you are watching) since this way; you will not be able to do so much damage.
Do you need proof? Will you need to take medication?
One of our biggest concerns when our children get sick, is whether they will have to take medication for life. For this reason, it is often common for us to wonder if it is necessary to carry something in the case of atopic skin.
Since it will depend on each child because no two cases are the same.
The only thing I can tell you is that if you see that eczema does not diminish.
Or that other symptoms appear (such as those already mentioned, diarrhea or asthma).
Go directly to your GP because it will be necessary to carry out allergy tests on the child.
In many cases, antihistamines are the best way to combat these discomforts. And you should not worry about it since it is a widespread treatment.
The same happens with corticosteroid creams, often the fastest and most effective way to eliminate eczema.
Of course, never go to self-medication since it must be a pediatrician or dermatologist who will show you the way to go. The opposite could be dangerous.
Other recommendations
Finally, I can only tell you that if you have followed all the advice mentioned so far. Your baby will indeed feel much better in a short time.
Although to achieve a full recovery of the skin, there are still two essential elements to consider.
The first is vital, as it is about drinking a lot of water since proper hydration is essential for your overall health to be excellent.
Afterward, it highly recommends looking for a children’s cream with emollients suitable for atopic skin. It restores the natural protective barrier, provides a calming effect, and works on the recovery of the dermis.
To be more effective, apply it on the still damp dermis after bathing to penetrate better. And use circular movements to promote absorption.
You already know everything about atopic baby skin; we hope that all this information will help you cope with this condition as well as possible.
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