Eczema and Dry skin Baby
Dry Skin in Babies
I think all babies get some kind of dry skin condition before they're 1 year old. Its a process of getting used to building barriers to the polution and abuse our skin takes to live! Sometimes they may get drier skin because as part of a routine they have a regular bath. water is very drying for their delicate skin, as are the chemical products we put into the baths to make it fun with bubbles or in an attempt
Baby Massage
You may be massaging your baby with a massage oil for babies, but it doesn't mean its natural. Advertising products they can use the words '100%, natural and pure' without it necessarily meaning anything. Baby oils have a long shelf life so they need chemicals in them to help them last, or perhaps theyve had something added to disguise the smell (perfume) or something added to add smell to the oil. Either way, no tailor-made baby oil really is all that natural.
A massage oil for your baby could be something as simple as Organic Sunflower, Grapeseed or Rapeseed oil from your lcoal supermarket. 'Organic' means it's been through less processes and hasn't had anything added to it (and it smells less like a vegetable oil) and seed oils because we should avoid nuts and wheat for the first year of your baby's life (allergies)
Be careful of perfumed baby products - chamomile and lavender used in high quantities can have the opposite affect for a baby. If you bath your baby in a lavender type product and they're up crying or wide awake when you expect them to be asleep - it could be their bath products making them feel that way.
Baby Eczema is an inflammation of the skin which can cause dryness, inflammation, flakiness and sometimes the most intense itching that makes you want to scream!! Also known as ‘dermatitis’, as far as we know there is no cure but there are a number of ways to manage the condition.
The main type – known as atopic eczema – is usually inherited, and often connected with asthma and hay fever.
It can be caused by various factors, and may result in just a small patch of skin being affected, but can affect skin anywhere on the body, though it is commonly seen on the backs of the knees, elbows, wrists, ankle and neck. In severe cases, they may have eczema covering the whole body and face
As it is a dry skin condition, it requires regular moisturising. Itchy dry skin leads to scratching which will damage the skin, cause bleeding and may even limit movement as it cracks and feels tight. Soreness and stiff limbs can make children miserable and moody.
The need to scratch is often overwhelming as it is constant, which (when scratched) only makes the symptoms worse. Children who suffer from it can experience sleepless nights, difficulty in concentrating during lessons and for those who are severely affected, have periods of absence from school, which in turn leads to them falling behind with work.
The condition is often something that children grow out of as they get older, although it can reappear again such as during adolescence and can be triggered with stress.
The main type – known as atopic eczema – is usually inherited, and often connected with asthma and hay fever.
It can be caused by various factors, and may result in just a small patch of skin being affected, but can affect skin anywhere on the body, though it is commonly seen on the backs of the knees, elbows, wrists, ankle and neck. In severe cases, they may have eczema covering the whole body and face
As it is a dry skin condition, it requires regular moisturising. Itchy dry skin leads to scratching which will damage the skin, cause bleeding and may even limit movement as it cracks and feels tight. Soreness and stiff limbs can make children miserable and moody.
The need to scratch is often overwhelming as it is constant, which (when scratched) only makes the symptoms worse. Children who suffer from it can experience sleepless nights, difficulty in concentrating during lessons and for those who are severely affected, have periods of absence from school, which in turn leads to them falling behind with work.
The condition is often something that children grow out of as they get older, although it can reappear again such as during adolescence and can be triggered with stress.
Complementary therapies that might help a baby with dry skin or Eczema: Baby massage, forever living/natural products, homeopathy, cranial osteopath, breastfeeding counsellor, cranial sacral therapy, aromatherapy
Natural Remedies to try at home to avoid or relieve dry skin or eczema for your baby.
- Oilatum is an exensive option if you're buying it or an annoyance to keep getting repeat prescriptions. A vegetable oil like sunflower in their bath does the same job – just don’t wash their hair in it! To add oils to your baby's bath
- Using cream or ointment from your doctor or pharmacist on a regular basis might keep the skin supple and prevent drying.
- Massage your baby with an organic seed oil like grapeseed or sunflower. However, don’t rub over sore, cracked or bleeding areas or else you’ll risk spreading the infection around their healthy skin.
- Aloe vera liquid soap - available from forever living agents - doesn't have nasty chemicals in it, also I've been recommended the Liz Early range which can be used with babies and it doesnt have chemicals in it either. None of these are cheap options but they wont damage your baby's little head. Arbonne skincare is another natural product base which is recommended. They have a bubble bath that doesn't foam as much as normal bath products because it doesn't contain sodium laurath sulphate which is a chemical that makes water foam.
- The other thing you can put into their bath makes the water 'milky' which helps protect their skin fromt he drying nature of water (especially if you live in a hardwater area. Organic porridge oats in an old sock! The milk goes into the bath and softens the water, plus it doesnt matter if baby sucks on it as it's natural oats! You can use the same sock of oats until the milk runs out - then replace the oats!
- Avoiding exposure to chemicals and strong detergents is extremely important, so it’s recommended to not use anything such as bubble bath or products on their skin or in their baths.
If you have anything that worked for you please let us know so we can tell other parents!