Neurodermatitis and dry skin in babies

Especially in the first months and years of life, your baby's skin is not easy. It has to get used to new environmental influences and does not yet have a strong barrier to protect it. Dry skin is therefore not uncommon – we will tell you why dry baby skin is often harmless, how to distinguish it from eczema, and how to gently care for your little explorer's skin to make it feel comfortable again.

What is the cause of dry baby skin?

The cause initially lies in the particularities of infant skin: it is up to five times thinner and therefore much more sensitive than adult skin. While in the womb, the vernix caseosa protects the skin against the amniotic fluid, it must develop an intact skin barrier only after birth . The acid mantle is not yet stable, making the skin more susceptible to infections. Also, sebaceous and sweat glands are not yet fully developed, which is why your explorer's skin cannot produce a protective layer of fat and dries out more quickly. Especially external factors such as heating air, sunlight, itchy clothing, allergies, or detergents can cause irritation to the sensitive skin.

Which cream helps my baby with dry skin?

As soon as you discover a dry patch on your baby, you should moisturize and soothe the skin. But what does the proper care for dry skin look like? The range of creams, lotions, and oils specifically for infants can sometimes be really overwhelming. However, the Basic equipment for baby care not necessarily a lot of fuss. You should pay attention to a few specific tips. Selection of care products pay attention:

• Free from allergenic ingredients (hypoallergenic)

• Without added dyes, perfumes, emulsifiers, and mineral oils

• Dermatologically tested

You should avoid home remedies: for example, well-meaning advice about massages with simple cooking oil are common. However, a dermatological study found that olive oil can even further irritate baby skin. An skin-friendly alternative for dry skin is the . It is gentle on dry or sensitive skin and promotes its protective function. How you can pamper yourself and your baby with almond oil, we have summarized for you in our magazine article “ “.

To Prevention it can help to care for your baby's skin with moisturizing creams and oils. Apply a thin layer of cream to your child at least twice a week – especially after bathing. In our article " Baby bathing - When, how often, where, and how "learn everything about the wet pleasure with your explorer."

When should I take my baby to the pediatrician for dry skin?

Often harmless reasons are behind dry skin. To ensure your little explorer is doing well overall, it’s worth getting a check-up at the doctor’s office if you’re unsure. You should regularly check your baby’s skin and also keep an eye on the diaper area: if the skin here is sore and covered with small red bumps, your baby is probably suffering from a condition called This often clears up quickly and can be managed with zinc ointments. An extra tip that some mothers swear by: apply a little breast milk to the red spots and massage it in.

If you find skin changes in the form of sharply defined, red spots with small blister- or pustule-like rash, you should definitely visit a pediatrician. It could be Diaper rash caused by yeast fungi. Without treatment, the fungal infection can spread to other areas of the body.

Cradle Cap

What is eczema?

Severe itching and dry, yet simultaneously oozing skin areas - these are the main symptoms of the chronic inflammatory skin condition. Neurodermatitis is particularly common among babies and children. However, for many, the symptoms improve by the second year of life or by school age - or they even disappear completely. In infancy, affected skin areas are often found on the scalp as well as on the face, chest, and back. Toddlers usually have so-called flexural eczema: here, the skin in the creases of joints is inflamed and itchy.

The atopic dermatitis is a genetically caused disease , where the connection elements in the skin are reduced, which is the cause of a disturbed skin barrier. In addition, there is a sometimes excessive immune response, resulting in the release of many inflammatory mediators that can be found in the skin. Typical for the disease is that it occurs in episodes. Thus, different <...> Trigger factors , the triggers for a worsening of atopic eczema are, for example, fresh infections of the upper respiratory tract, stress, and in the case of additional allergies, the corresponding allergen. A widespread myth is that sugar in the diet and many other foods are triggers of atopic eczema. However, diet usually does not play a role in most cases, which is why a one-sided diet or a special elimination diet (such as no gluten or no milk protein) is not recommended. Only if your child has a clinical allergy (i.e., hives after consuming certain foods) should certain foods be avoided. Also, a "general allergy test" is not necessarily necessary for atopic eczema — neither through blood tests nor with other testing methods (skin, IgG antibodies, etc.). Because these tests often lead to a false positive result without an "actual" allergy being present.

Keep in mind that if your child has an atopic condition, the likelihood of developing other diseases within the atopic spectrum, such as allergies and bronchial asthma, increases over the course of their life.

Does my baby have dry skin or an atopic eczema?

An itchy, red spot does not necessarily mean eczema right away, but you should keep an eye on the skin changes - dry skin has nothing to do with eczema. In babies, atopic dermatitis often begins on the face and upper body. Additional Signs for the condition may be:

• Frequent scratching and noticeable itching of the skin areas.

• The eczema recurs repeatedly over a longer period.

• Stress and other influencing factors, such as weather, vaccinations, teething, infections, sweating, clothing, special foods, creams, or detergents, worsen the skin condition.

• An allergic or atopic disease is already known in parents or siblings.

To clarify the skin lesion and a possible Prevent deterioration , the way to the pediatrician is unavoidable. Studies have shown that it helps if you breastfeed your baby for at least the first four months of life or alternatively feed hypoallergenic infant formula. If you are breastfeeding, a balanced diet that includes fish can reduce the risk of atopic eczema. Likewise, it can be helpful if, in the Solid foods Your child's diet also includes fish.

What helps against neurodermatitis?

Primarily, it is important to reduce your baby's itching and prevent them from scratching skin areas. Here are a few Tips , how it works:

• Daily moisturizing should become part of your routine to prevent a neurodermatitis flare-up and to improve acute itching. Your pediatrician will recommend suitable creams and lotions for your baby. These are usually standardized formulas from the pharmacy, specifically tailored to the needs of neurodermatitis patients. Oil and "normal" lotions should generally not be used for care.

• Short fingernails and cotton gloves during the night ensure that your little explorer doesn't scratch themselves open quickly. Alternatively, a so-called neurodermatitis overall can also help protect the entire body.

• Sometimes it helps to stroke or gently rub your baby when they have an itch – a nice distraction for both of you.

• Cool compresses, for example with black tea, can also provide relief.

• To avoid irritating sensitive skin further, your baby should wear soft and skin-friendly clothing made from materials such as cotton or viscose.

• Above all, love and patience are very important. Give your child plenty of attention and understanding, even if they are a bit restless due to the itching.

In general: If a dry spot does not disappear, becomes larger, or irritates your baby significantly, you should definitely consult a pediatrician. With the right care and lots of love, your baby will regain soft skin and be ready for numerous cuddling sessions.