Preventive Skin Care for Infants – II

MAINTAIN A SUITABLE LEVEL OF HYDRATION

A number of factors including dry weather and excessively frequent cleansing can cause dehydration of the skin, while infrequent changing of the diaper may cause excessive hydration and the development of bacteria and fungi.
* Apply baby powder regularly to absorb excessive moisture.
* Change diaper frequently and clean soiled areas with mild cleansers.
* Apply moisturizers regularly to areas of dry skin.

REDUCE FRICTION

Friction between skin and clothes, diapers, or another skin surface is a common problem during the early stages of development.
* Separate the surfaces: in the case of clothing, soft, loose-fitting garments should be preferred over tight, coarse fabrics.
* Apply lubricants such as baby powder or oils between opposing surfaces to reduce friction.

MINIMIZE CHANGES IN BACTERIAL FLORA

Microbial colonization of the infant’s skin begins immediately after birth. The bacterial flora rarely cause infections unless the skin has an open wound or its natural acid mantle has been damaged.
* Take proper care of open wounds, e.g., the umbilicus or circumcision sites.
* Clean the infant’s skin thoroughly with a mild and pH-balanced baby bath.

AVOID EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO THE SUN

Because of the relative lack of melanin, infants are extremely susceptible to sunburn and thus to a number of problems related to the drying out of the skin.
* Limit the infant’s exposure to the sun, and avoid any exposure between 10 am and 2 pm.
* Dress infants in a wide-brimmed hats and loose protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
* Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 and titanium dioxide.

Preventive Skin Care for Infants I

AVOID CONTACT WITH IRRITATING AGENTS

The increased frequency of skin lesions caused by friction between clothing and the infant’s skin offers an easy passage for irritants.
* Avoid exposing the infant to common irritants such as harsh soaps and products containing alcohol.
* Prevent the development of skin lesions in vulnerable areas – especially around the diaper – by application of appropriate skin care products.

REDUCE CONTACT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IRRITANTS

Close contact with urine and feces in the diaper area is a frequent cause of primary irritation.
* Change diapers frequently and clean skin with gentle cleansing agent.
* Use infant skin care products to provide a barrier against direct contact with the irritants, and to reduce friction and prevent penetration of irritant substances.

AVOID EXPOSURE OF EYES TO IRRITANTS

As the newborn blinks less frequently and has a very low level of tear secretion, the eyes are extremely vulnerable to irritants.
* Keep infants away from areas of smoke or air pollution.
* Use infant cleansers and avoid any cleanser containing soap or alcohol.
* Wash hair in a mild shampoo.

PREVENT HIGH BODY TEMPERATURES

With a relatively high metabolic-rate, infants produce more body heat than adults. However, their ability to dissipate heat through sweating is severely restricted during the first two years of life.
* Avoid high temperatures.
* Avoid overdressing infants.
* Apply a soothing baby powder to help reduce body temperature.
* Avoid exposing infants to sudden changes in temperature that may cause cold or a chill.

PROTECT INFANT SKIN FROM UV DAMAGE

The Characteristics of Infant Skin

* Infant skin produces less melanin than adult skin and will burn more easily.

* Childhood is an especially vulnerable time for ultraviolet rays exposure. Children can get up to three times as much sun exposure in a year as adults.

* Most lifetime exposure to the sun occurs before the age of 18 years, and it is estimated that regular sunscreen use during childhood and adolescence would reduce the lifetime incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers by 78%.

* As much as 80% of UV-induced photoaging may occur in the first two decades of life. Therefore, preventive measures should begin as early as possible.

PHOTOPROTECTION FOR INFANT

* Minimize sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10am and 2pm.

* When children go out, be sure they are wearing wide-brimmed hats and loose, protective clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts and long pants.

* Apply liberal amounts of sunscreen lotion regularly when outdoors. Use sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15, which allows the child to remain in the sun approximately 15 times longer before burning than if no sunscreen were applied.

* Although solar radiation is much more significant in summer, it is still present (though less visible) on cloudy days and in winter. Therefore, to avoid damage to an infant’s skin, sunscreen lotion should be applied throughout the year under all weather conditions.

* Avoid chemical-based sunscreens on infants and young children, as chemicals may be absorbed through the skin.

Gentle Care for Baby’s Tender Skin

Baby’s skin is a source of admiration and wonder. At birth the baby’s skin is beautiful, soft and supple. In the womb and shortly after birth, it is protected by a whitish coating called vernix. Once the vernix is removed, the baby is exposed to elements that could cause discomfort.

Have you ever stopped to think about how the baby’s skin works? We tend to take the skin for granted, but as the body’s largest organ, it has many vital functions to fulfill. It protects the baby from the outside elements, keeps baby’s body at the correct temperature (by allowing perspiration for cooling and “goose-bumps” for warning), protects the sensitive organs inside baby’s body, and with its thousands of highly sensitive nerve endings, the skin puts a baby in touch with the outside world.

We all know how important “touch” is to humans. To babies, touch is even more vital and it is through the skin that baby experiences the tender loving care of parents. Immediately after birth, when babies are placed on their mother’s breast or in their father’s arms, the first bond of a life long relationship is formed.

So carefully select gently caring products for baby’s tender skin for a relationship go warmer, gentler, and closer.