Skin problems for babies
Babies are innocent little people born into a world full of the unknown. We try very hard to protect them from harm but there are some things that we have no control over. We try our best to keep them protected, but when it comes to skin problems we have to wait and see what the outcome is.
Babies can have as many as 40 different types of skin problems and most of them are just temporary. Imagine these little ones being in this protective membrane and all of a sudden they are thrust out into a world full of bacteria and germs. They have to adjust to the environment, the humidity and all the creams and powders that mom received at her baby shower. There are some skin disorders that are very common in newborn babies and they are usually short term. They usually clear up within a few days but if they persist then a doctor's visit is recommended.
One of the most common is nappy rash (diaper rash). This can occur for different reasons. As baby's eating habits change so does the output change. It is stronger and since babies skin is sensitive it can cause irritations. They do have different products on the market but one that I found worked miracles was Vaseline mixed with cornstarch. Washing the baby's bottom and making sure it was dry (especially in the creases) and then applying a thin coat stops the urine from touching the skin. You can also leave the baby on a blanket without a diaper and let them air out first.
Then we have the dreaded cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis). When I was young, if your child had this it was said to be a sign of uncleanliness. Imagine how I felt when someone said "your baby has cradle cap". They are not sure what causes it but they say it is due to the mother's hormones still in the baby's circulation that release a substance through the glands. This substance accumulates with dead skin cells and causes cradle cap.
It has nothing to do with cleanliness but it doesn't look appealing. By using a small amount of mineral oil on the baby's head it can loosen it and then be brushed off. If it gets out of hand your doctor can prescribe something to help the problem
Melia are small pearly white spots on baby's face that look like little white heads. It is bacteria invading their pure healthy skin. Adults can also get these and are caused by pores being blocked. And just like adults they come out by exfoliating. Now, we don't exfoliate a baby's skin, they do it themselves by rubbing their faces on their sheets and blankets. Again, this is just a temporary skin problem.
Babies have a thin layer of dry skin that is usually noticed around the hands and feet. This dry skin is caused because their oil secreting glands are not fully developed. The oil helps retain moisture in the skin. Since it has not fully developed the water in their skin dries out. This is also temporary.
Using a gentle cream or moisturizer will help nourish baby's skin. But be aware of fragrances that are in these products since babies can also have a reaction to them.
Babies are a beautiful miracle and they depend on us for protection. If you are not sure if what they are going through is normal, ask questions. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question.
* Lorraine Cormier is an esthetician who also has years of experience in the medical field. She now operates In Our Hands, a skin care and beauty consultation company. She can be reached at 855-4264 or nrhands@nb.sympatico.ca.
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