Dry skin on the hands of children | Dry skin on the hands

Dry skin on the hands of children

The skin of children is even more sensitive than the skin of adults. Especially in the cold winter months, children often get dry and cracked hands, especially in the back of the hand. The hands should then be treated with highly greasing and moisturizing creams, such as Linola.

It is best to apply a thick layer of cream to the hands in the evening and protect them with cotton gloves so that the cream can work well overnight. In extreme cases, a cream with a low cortisone content can also be used. Children also often react more sensitively to the use of soap.

In some cases, an allergic reaction or intolerance to the soap can occur. Since children often do not wash their hands thoroughly after soaping, soap residues may remain, so that the soap can attack the acid mantle of the skin. The reaction to this is dry and rough skin. If the dry skin is accompanied by redness and severe itching at the same time, this can indicate neurodermatitis, which is a common condition in children. Otherwise, the same possible causes for dry hands apply as for adults.

Treatment

Dry hands are usually treated by applying creams. Medication is usually not used. Above all, it is important to observe a few important basic rules.

When washing hands, care should be taken to ensure that the hands are washed only with lukewarm water and not with hot water, as hot water in particular softens the skin. If possible, use a pH-neutral soap with a pH range of 5.5. Afterwards, it is recommended to apply a moisturizing cream to the hands.

In general, the hands should be provided with a high-fat care, especially in winter. The drier the hands are, the more fat the cream should contain. Especially products containing olive oil or evening primrose oil are suitable for use.

Products that also contain urea are also recommended, as these products moisturize and bind water in the skin. Creams with the ingredient dexpanthenol are especially useful for the application on cracked hands. For severely damaged hands, it also helps if the hands are rubbed with an oily cream in the evening and then cotton gloves are worn overnight so that the cream can be absorbed overnight.

In general, creams are more suitable than lotions, as creams are thicker and therefore richer. It is generally advisable to wear gloves in cold temperatures, as they prevent the hands from being affected by the cold. Gloves or rubber gloves are also useful when working with liquids, chemicals and detergents, as these can attack the skin.