Dry skin (xerosis cutis) can be a big problem for many infants and older children. In addition to those children with eczema, whose dry skin gets red and itchy, some simply get dry arms, legs, hands, or a dry area around their mouth from time to time. Their skin may peel, feel itchy, and may also be red and rough when it gets dry.
Children with dry skin can get particularly dried out when swimming and playing and sweating in the heat of the summer.
The winter, because of cold air outside, can also be a problem for children who get dry skin. Dry air with low humidity inside, when you have the heat on in the winter, also adds to the problem of winter dry skin.
Preventing Dry Skin
Why do some children have dry skin? Many children likely have some inherited form of dry skin that makes them more sensitive to certain things that can make their skin dry.
Others do things that make their skin irritated, such as using harsh soaps, not using moisturisers often enough, or using alcohol-based moisturisers.
To help prevent your child from having problems with dry skin, it can often help to:
Use a mild soap or cleanser when your child washes, such as Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, or Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar.
Apply moisturisers while your child’s skin is still a little wet to help trap in some moisture, which usually means trying to apply the moisturiser within two or three minutes after your child washes.
Choose a non-alcohol-based moisturiser. Remember that ointments are usually better than creams, which are usually better than lotions when it comes to moisturising dry skin.
Reapply moisturisers at least two or three times a day.
Have kids shower after swimming and then quickly apply a moisturiser to their skin.
Frequently apply a moisturising lip balm on and around your child’s lips, which are prone to get dry in the winter.
Treatments
If your child’s skin is already dry, it can help to:
Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to areas of your child’s skin that are red or itchy.
Switch to a cream or ointment if you have been using a lotion. Remember that in general, the greasier the moisturiser, the better.
Try a different moisturiser, such as Eucerin Intensive Repair Crème for Very Dry Skin. These moisturisers contain lactic acid, which promotes hydration of the skin.
If your child’s skin stays dry, especially if it is red or irritated, you should see your paediatrician or get extra help from a paediatric dermatologist.
Source: www.verywellhealth.com.