Babies and children have 4 skin types, do you know?

Baby skin care is not a simple thing, besides mastering certain principles, you need to understand your baby's skin types to be able to determine what skin type your baby is and take proper care.

Baby's skin is inherently fragile and vulnerable. Despite its structure like that of an adult's, the functions of baby's skin are still incomplete. Therefore, although soft and smooth, baby's skin is very fragile and needs special and meticulous care from parents. Baby skin has up to 4 types, each with different care. If you are still wondering which skin type of skin type your baby has and what characteristics it has, then please continue to read the following sharing of aFamilyToday Health.

How is baby's skin different from adult skin?

Baby skin is very different from adult skin. Baby's skin is not only softer, smoother, but also has a very distinctive smell - "baby skin" - that makes you want to cuddle and kiss your baby anytime, anywhere. In addition to the external characteristics, baby's skin is different from adult skin in the following 5 characteristics:  

Dehydration faster

Thinner

More sensitive

Can't control the temperature on his own

More susceptible to disease.

In addition, your baby's epidermis is still developing and will be perfect until he is about 2 years old . Baby skin also has less fat and pH than adult skin, which makes baby's skin extremely fragile and vulnerable. Therefore, in the first years of life, parents need to pay attention to care so that the baby's delicate skin is always healthy and smooth.

Common skin types in children

Caring for a baby's skin seems to be quite a simple task, but it makes many parents feel confused. Because for the most part, few people know that the first and most important step parents need to take is to determine which of the skin types and characteristics of their baby's skin are.

Normally, baby skin will have 4 types: normal skin, dry skin, eczema and sensitive skin. Each skin type will have its own characteristics, so determining which skin type will help you know the most suitable care.

1. Normal skin - Soft and smooth

The skin is originally considered a membrane that helps to separate and protect the body from external aggressors. Not only that, with the baby, the skin also provides protection and supports the sensory development, so it needs careful and meticulous care from parents right from the moment of birth. Skin is usually a fairly common skin type in babies, your baby will own this skin if it has the following characteristics:

Baby skin is soft, smooth and has good elasticity

Baby has a ruddy skin

There are no signs of dryness, flaking, or rare red skin spots

Rarely irritated.

It can be said, normal skin is the ideal skin type and you will not need to worry too much about your baby will be prone to skin problems such as eczema ( atopic dermatitis ) or atopic dermatitis. sensitive skin. However, that does not mean that you only take care of your baby's skin casually, because before the age of 2, the baby's skin is not completely "mature", so it is very fragile and vulnerable. love. Not only that, at this point, the baby's skin is still unable to maintain the moisture needed for cells to function properly. Therefore, it is very important to pay careful attention to the baby's skin when a baby is very important and necessary even though the baby owns a healthy skin and rarely gets irritated. If your baby has normal skin, you should note some of the following care tips:

Give your baby enough / drink plenty of fluids

Feed your baby a variety of foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids to reinforce their natural skin barrier

Avoid exposing your baby to allergens

Daily baby skin care, baths and moisturizes baby's skin with products that have mild properties, do not smell too strong and are close to nature.

2. Dry skin - Moisturizes often

Dry skin is also a common skin type in babies and children. Your baby will have this skin if his skin has the following characteristics:

Rough

Frequent flaking when rubbed

Or appear red skin spots

Small cracks in the skin.

Babies with dry skin are more likely to experience the following diseases:

Eczema: appears tiny red spots that lie individually or cluster in patches, causing intense itching, mainly in the cheeks, forehead, arms, body ...

Psoriasis : red, scaly, sharp and gray patches appear that babies feel itchy and uncomfortable if they are not promptly intervened.

Seborrheic dermatitis: oily, yellow or dandruff-like flakes appear on the child's scalp. It is very common in young children, usually does not cause itching and is easy to treat.

Cystic keratosis: When the skin is too dry, the skin actively secretes keratin, a protein found in skin, hair and nails for defense. If this substance is produced too much, it will cause the pores to become clogged, forming hard horns in the pores, making babies' skin rough like bumps. Although the disease does not affect the baby's health much, sometimes it is unsightly.

Baby dry skin usually doesn't last forever unless your baby inherits allergic-prone skin from you or your husband. However, that doesn't mean you don't do anything and just wait for it to disappear because if not taken care of carefully, dry skin can make your baby feel itchy, uncomfortable, even maybe. infected. If your baby has dry skin , try these tips:

Use gentle skin care products to increase the moisture in your baby's skin. 

Dress your baby in soft fabric clothes to avoid irritation. Every time your child has finished bathing, use a 100% cotton towel gently wipe to avoid rubbing.

Give your baby a warm bath (36 ° C) for 5 - 10 minutes, using soap-free and fragrance-free cleaning products.

You can add moisture to the air by using a steam or humidifier to keep the steam in your baby's skin from evaporating too quickly. 

Feed your baby enough / drink enough water so that the baby's skin can maintain a certain moisture.

Environmental factors such as low temperature, high temperature, wind, and sun can make dry skin worse. Therefore, you should avoid exposing your baby to direct sunlight. When your baby is outdoors, put on sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.  

3. Eczema atopic skin - Proper care and treatment

According to research, baby's skin is usually 20% thinner than your skin, so baby's skin is very susceptible to dehydration and dryness. For babies with eczema-prone skin, you need to pay more attention because their skin is easily irritated compared to other babies. Your baby has eczema at all if his skin has the following characteristics:

Baby skin is extremely dry

Coarse and flaky

Red, dry, and rough spots appear frequently or periodically, especially on the face, in folds of skin (neck, elbows, knees) and on the extremities (hands, wrists, eyes ankle)

The skin is very itchy, sometimes leading to insomnia.

If one parent has a history of eczema , the baby is also very likely to have this skin type. In addition, this skin type is also common in babies with asthma,  allergic rhinitis and food allergies. Atopic eczema is a fairly common skin type, affecting 10-20% of children. If your baby's skin is eczema, don't worry. You can help your baby feel better through some simple tips:

Shorten baby shower time (less than 5 minutes) and try using eczema shower gel to soften the skin, helping to reduce itchiness

Keep baby's skin moist by applying a moisturizer specifically for eczema after bathing your baby. This will help strengthen the baby's natural skin barrier, while also helping to keep the skin moisturized.

Put a humidifier in your baby's room in the cold season if your baby has eczema-prone skin. This is because during these months, the humidity in the air can drop very low, easily increasing the risk of an outbreak of eczema.

Use only fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products because fragrances are the top allergens.

Dress your baby in loose, airy clothes made from soft fabrics like cotton to avoid irritation.

Cut your baby's nails regularly to avoid scratching, which can cause scratches and damage to the skin.

4. Very sensitive skin - Or allergic

Most babies have very fragile and very vulnerable skin. However, some babies will have even more sensitive skin than others. Determining whether baby's skin is sensitive or not is very simple. Babies with this type of skin are very susceptible to redness and irritation with bath lotions, lotions, weather, and even temperature changes that can irritate their skin. This makes the baby more susceptible to the following problems:

Diaper rash : is an inflammatory condition in the diaper area, which can be caused by frequent wet diaper wearing or the type of diaper that a baby is using contains skin irritants.

Rashes: Small, pink blisters appear in sweat-prone areas such as neck, diaper area, armpits and forehead. Humid weather can cause this problem. Babies with sensitive skin are more likely to encounter this situation every time in the hot season.

Skin care for babies with sensitive skin is a job that requires a lot of care and meticulousness. To reduce the risk of irritation, you should avoid exposing your baby to possible allergens. Therefore, you should:

Use body lotions, lotions and other care products designed specifically for babies with sensitive skin.

Use laundry detergents and softeners that do not have a strong odor and do not contain harsh detergents to wash baby clothes.

You should not bathe your baby too often, you should bathe only 2-3 times / week, each bath should only last from 10-15 minutes.

Hopefully, the above sharing has partly provided you with useful information about skin types in children. From there, you know what kind of baby's skin is, and how to take care of your baby's skin better.