Introduction
Proper skin care plays a special role for babies. The structure and composition of the baby’s skin is very different from that of an adult. The skin is an organ that protects the human body, provides warmth and is an important barrier to the penetration of pathogens.
During birth and in the first hours after birth, the baby is protected from external influences by the cheese smear. Afterwards, the skin must take over this function itself. However, baby skin is much thinner and softer than that of an adult.
It reacts faster to external stimuli and lacks essential protective mechanisms. For one thing, babies’ subcutaneous fatty tissue is not fully developed, so they are much more sensitive to cold than adults and must always be kept warm. On the other hand, the sebaceous glands, which form fats for the protective film of the skin, are not yet fully functional.
Therefore the protective fat film on the skin cannot be completely formed. Gaps are formed through which water can be lost, which additionally dries out the thin and delicate baby skin. In addition, pathogens can easily penetrate through these gaps, which can attack the tissue and lead to inflammation.
The ratio of body surface area to body weight is also much higher in babies than in adults. As a result, harmful external influences and pathogens have a larger unprotected surface area to attack and the skin loses moisture more quickly. Since the baby skin is not sufficiently shielded from external influences due to the incompletely formed protective layer of fat, the insufficient acid mantle that protects against germs and the increased water loss, a thorough and above all intensive skin care is recommended.
It is important in skin care that the selected products are adapted to baby skin and support the natural process of development and maturation of the skin, not restrict it. Extensive information about possible care products and how to use them correctly can be obtained from the treating pediatrician or the accompanying midwife. Proper and especially early skin care can prevent inflammation and infection.
In addition, intensive care can be used to convey a feeling of security and safety through skin contact, which has a positive effect on further development. The structure of the baby’s skin is very different from that of an adult. The top layer of skin in babies is particularly thin and tends to tear more quickly.
Because the sebaceous and sweat glands in babies are not yet able to work properly, only a small amount of fat is produced, which can maintain the protective fat film of the skin. The natural acid protective film of the skin is also not yet formed in babies, so that possible pathogens can penetrate more easily into small open areas of the skin and lead to inflammatory reactions. The faulty, thin greasy film of baby skin is gradually washed away by each contact with water and it takes time for it to form again.
Because the ratio of body surface area to weight is very large in babies, there is a risk that they will lose a lot of fluid. The skin therefore tends to irritate more quickly, appears irritated and becomes chapped and rough. Special washing lotions can be helpful to counteract dehydration.
Parents should pay particular attention to how the condition of the skin develops or changes. Particularly sensitive to irritation are the skin folds in the armpit, diaper and neck areas. Newly occurring redness should be treated immediately to prevent possible infections.
In contrast to adult skin, baby skin is particularly sensitive to sunlight. Baby skin produces very little skin pigment in the first few years, so babies should never be exposed to sunlight without appropriate protection. Baby moles can also occur, but in most cases they are completely harmless Skin care for babies should also be of great importance for healthy skin and should be carried out conscientiously, but it becomes even more important with increasingly dry skin in babies.
In order to treat and prevent dry skin, care products should be used that on the one hand provide moisture and on the other hand have a moisturizing effect.The creams and lotions used should not be applied too thickly, otherwise they will not allow the damaged skin to ventilate and breathe. Bathing is better for the skin than constant washing. You should add moisturizing products to the water and make sure that you do not bathe the baby more than twice a week.
It is also important that no synthetic clothing is used for babies. Cotton is friendlier to the skin, does not irritate and prevents irritation. It is also breathable and absorbs moisture that is released.
Dry skin and irritations occur mainly in the diaper area as so-called diaper dermatitis. Therefore you should also use caring and soothing baby creams on the bottom and let the affected areas out into the air. Atopic dermatitis in babies is a chronic skin disease that can manifest itself in early babyhood.
The weeping cradle cap that frequently occurs in babies is a manifestation of neurodermatitis. It is characterized by weeping, reddened and scaly patches on the eyes, scalp and in the skin folds of the large joints, such as the knees and armpits. The baby begins to scratch the affected areas and therefore inflammation can develop due to the migration of pathogens.
Babies with neurodermatitis need particularly careful skin care and will need to continue this care throughout their lives. Care should be taken that the skin is not washed too often. When bathing, care products should be used that moisturize and have a moisturizing effect.
This strengthens and regenerates the protective layer of the skin. If the skin still remains dry and flaky, you can use additional ointments with zinc. In addition, skin care creams containing urea or olive oil are helpful and have a caring effect on the skin.
Bath additives which contain wheat bran or potassium permanganate can also be used for the care of neurodermatitis and soothe itching. Since babies lack subcutaneous fatty tissue, they cannot warm themselves sufficiently and threaten to cool down quickly. This should be considered at any time of the year, but especially in winter.
Even when wearing warm clothes, the baby’s face and hands remain unprotected and are at the mercy of the cold air. Cold air and especially dry heating air can irritate and dry out sensitive baby skin. In order to counteract the drying of the skin due to the change between the cold outside air and the warm heating air, moist towels can be placed on top of the heater, thus increasing the humidity.
The skin of babies constantly loses water to the ambient air. In addition, when the temperature is particularly cold, the skin produces even less fat than normal. This means that baby skin is even less well protected in cold temperatures and can be more easily attacked and irritated.
In winter, moisturizing and greasing products should also be used for skin care, which strengthen the natural protective film. When you leave the house with your baby and it is below 10 degrees outside, you should always remember to dress the baby warmly and to apply more cream to the face. Care products enriched with olive or almond oil also help to nourish the skin and give it a soft and smooth complexion.
Skin care in the baby’s face is usually not very complex. As a rule, less is more. Normally, baby skin does not need additional support unless there is a disease or the facial skin is very dry.
A care with expensive cosmetic products is usually not yet necessary. Normally, it is sufficient to clean the face with lukewarm water and carefully remove and wipe off food residues. In winter, special fat creams should be used, which can protect the face from the cold air and drying out.