Winter is a tough environment for babies, which causes many skin problems with the low temperature and low humidity adversely affecting the skin architecture. Your precious baby’s skin is especially sensitive, making it prone to the harmful effects of winter weather. Let us know about the various skin problems that can adversely affect your baby’s skin and learn how to handle them effectively.
Common Winter Skin Conditions in Children
1. Xerosis (Dry Skin)
Low humidity and cold weather sap the moisture from the skin, leading to dryness and itching. This is especially problematic in winter due to long hot water being used for bathing and low intake of water making babies prone to dehydration.
2. Seborrheic Dermatitis
This is seen as flaky scales like patches on the scalp, face, and other oil-prone areas. This is aesthetically disturbing to the mothers too.
3. Scabies
An uncomplicated way to understand it is to see it as lice of the skin. Even though infections generally have a low incidence in winter, due to the propensity of huddling in close quarters and increased indoor contact, especially with thick beddings, mattresses, and quilts acting as breeding grounds for Sarcoptes scabei, this infection has a higher incidence during winters.4.
4. Eczema
Atopic dermatitis often worsens in winter. The dry air and wintry weather are triggers for allergic reactions, leading to red, painful, and irritating patches on the skin.
5. Chilblains (Pernio)
Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to red, swollen, and itchy lesions on the fingers, toes, and ears. This condition is due to the regulatory mechanism of the body in preserving heat by contractions of blood vessels, especially of the extremities, due to wintry weather.
6. Contact Dermatitis
Irritants like woolen clothing lead to frequent allergic reactions.
Preventive Measures and Management
- Moisturization: Aroma-free, thick moisturizers help combat dryness of the skin. Choose products having ceramides, glycerin, or petroleum jelly to protect the integrity of the skin.
- Bathing Practices: Use lukewarm water instead of hot and limit bathing time. Mild, fragrance-free soaps or cleansers are less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Daily bathing is not a necessity in winter. If local custom permits, sticking to bathing twice or thrice a week is more than sufficient.
- Clothing Choices: Choose a soft, breathable material like cotton for direct contact with the skin. Avoid direct contact of wool or synthetic fabrics with the sensitive skin of the baby.
- Hydration: Encourage children to drink water throughout the day, even if they don’t vocalize the need for drinking water, to maintain internal hydration.
- Protection from Cold: Cover exposed skin with gloves, scarves, and hats to minimize direct exposure to cold air.
- Addressing Infections: For conditions like scabies or chilblains, seek medical advice. Scabies may require ointments and oral medications, while chilblains benefit from gradual warming and protective care.
When to See a Doctor
If a child’s skin condition persists or worsens despite home care, consult a dermatologist or pediatrician. Signs to watch for include severe itching, blood oozing out, fever, an increase in the size of the lesions, or a new onset of symptoms like redness and swelling.
