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Winter brings a ton of fun outdoor activities for families to enjoy but with the cold, your baby’s skin is at risk. Certified dermatology physician assistant Jamie Kim advises taking extra precautions during the colder months. “The cold and dry air in the winter can irritate skin, especially if the child has eczema,” she told Mom.com.
Don’t be forced to stay indoors because of a fussy and uncomfortable baby dealing with skin problems. Instead, be proactive about your baby’s dry skin and other possible ailments. Here are some of the most common winter skin ailments and what you can do about them.
Dealing with dry skin on baby's face
1. Dry skin on baby's face
Your baby’s skin is prone to getting dry any time of the year but the winter months mean less moisture in the air. This means that your baby’s face and arms can become increasingly dry. To solve or prevent the problem, use a non-perfumed moisturizer on your baby’s skin within two minutes of finishing their bath. The moisturizer will help lock in the moisture from the bath and protect your baby’s skin when out in the cold.
Dawn Ryan set out to educate other moms about using products without additives such as palm oil after her son experienced allergic reactions. “Using as few products as possible, use products with as few ingredients as possible, and choose liquids when available,” she recommended to Mom.com.
2. Eczema
Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema is a common condition that makes skin red and itchy. Eczema is caused by the skin’s inability to hold moisture thus dries and flakes. You can soothe the itchiness of it by adding moisture to the skin through a bath and moisturizer. Avoid the use of harsh soaps with fragrance or coloring. Mositurize immediately after the bath and several times a day to add needed moisture to the skin.
Baby skin care: Protecting the skin against common ailments
3. Cradle cap
Cradle cap is a skin condition that isn’t limited to the winter months. It is caused by an over production of oil in the scalp leading to greasy yellowish scales. While most cradle cap will resolve itself by the time your baby is eight months old, you can alleviate the symptoms by rubbing the scalp with olive oil to loosen the scaly flakes. Use a soft brush to get the flakes out and then shampoo with a mild baby shampoo.
4.Heat rash
Most moms assume that heat rash is only possible during the hot summer months, but well bundled babies can get heat rash under those fluffy coats as well. Heat rash happens when sweat glands get clogged and lead to itchy red bumps. The solution to heat rash is learning when to remove a layer of clothing while outside in the cold. Use a 1% hydrocortisone cream to alleviate any itchiness. Most heat rashes will subside within a few days.
In the cold with baby: Chapped lips and frostnip
5. Chapped lips
Your baby’s lips are always going to be exposed to the cold. The fact that babies are constantly drooling means the lips are constantly wet, breaking down the protective layer of skin. Just as you would do for your own lips, apply a layer of lip balm or petroleum jelly to your baby’s lips to protect them. Make sure the lip balm is approved for babies, and is free of fragance and flavorings – coconut oil is another alternative. Check with your pediatrician to see what would be the safest method for your baby.
Also, note that severely chapped lips that are cracked, red and swollen may in rare cases be a symptom of a more serious condition such as Kawasaki's disease, so consult with your baby's doctor if their condition doesn't improve.
6. Frostnip
When your baby’s fingers, nose, or any other exposed skin becomes red and tender, they may have frostnip. This is a mild form of frostbite and happens when the body starts to send warm blood to vital organs to keeps warm rather than circulate throughout the extremities. This is why keeping your baby warm with mittens, a hat, and blanket will help prevent frostnip. To alleviate the problem, give your baby a lukewarm bath. If the skin doesn’t return to its natural color within a couple of hours, give your pediatrician a call since this could suggest a more serious condition such as frostbite.
7. Chapped skin
Bright red cheeks are pretty common during the winter but if the skin becomes rough and cracked, your baby has chapped skin. This is an inflammation of the skin usually where skin rubs. To alleviate the problem, make sure your baby is bundled up properly when going out and use a thick moisturizer on any chapped area to soothe the cracked skin.
