Skincare for children

It's never too early to teach children how to keep their skin clean and healthy

A LMOST right from the beginning of a child's life, parents encourage their children to be healthy eaters while being active and fit. This also is an important time to promote healthy skin care.

Whether washing the delicate skin of an infant or providing effective treatment for toddlers with eczema, there are numerous ways parents and dermatologists can work together to keep children's skin clean, healthy and nourished.

“Teaching your child healthy skin care habits and modelling these behaviours for them can be tremen-dously helpful in preventing and treating various skin conditions,” said dermatologist Dr Sandra M.Johnson, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The skin of toddlers is sensitive and can experience numerous changes in the first few years of life.

Parents may be concerned with their child's less-than-perfect skin, but a dermatologist can evaluate and determine which conditions will resolve themselves and which may need additional treatment.

When cleaning a toddler's skin or when it's time for toddlers to learn how to wash their own skin, the use of gentle cleansers and soaps is important, said Dr Johnson.

Fragrance-free products or those with natural ingredients work well and will not irritate sensitive skin. Emollients which will hold moisture in the skin and prevent dry skin conditions and rashes should be applied liberally.

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. Warts occur more easily if the skin has been damaged in some way, which explains the high frequency of warts in children who are prone to cuts and scrapes, and who bite their nails or pick at hangnails. In children, warts can disappear without treatment over a period of several months to years.

However, warts that are bothersome, painful, or rapidly multiplying should be treated by a dermatologist.

There are many treatments for warts, including topical treatments that are applied directly to the wart such as salicylic acid, liquid nitrogen or cantharidin.

Dr Johnson offers a few practical suggestions aimed at reducing the risk for bug bites.

Common bug bites

The most common bug bites are those from fleas, mosquitoes, wasps or bees. While these bug bites can be annoying and seem fairly harmless, it is possible to have a bad reaction to a sting. Dr Johnson recommends having an emergency allergy kit available, which can be purchased through your doctor.

Some bug bites can cause bacterial infections, such as impetigo, a superficial infection of the skin characterised by yellow, crusted, well defined lesions.

Treatment includes topical or oral antibiotics, and infected areas and lesions should be bandaged until treatment has been determined effective.

“Impetigo is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among children,” said Dr Johnson.

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a common condition found in newborns and young children. This itchy, oozing, crusting rash occurs mainly on the face and scalp, but patches can appear anywhere.

It is estimated that this condition affects 10% of the US infant population. However, in nearly half of these childrem the disease will improve great by the time they are between five and 15 years of age. Others will have some form of the disease throughout their lives.

“Children with eczema are unique patients because it may be difficult for them to resist scratching, thereby making the condition worse,” said Dr Johnson.

“Fortunately, for mild to moderate cases, the application of moisturiser on a regular basis can be very helpful. In the meantime, avoid as many eczema triggers as possible, such as dust, pet dander and mould.”

it also may be helpful to use mild soaps, both on your child's skin and on their clothing, avoid sudden temperature changes, keep your child's bedroom and play areas free of dust, and dress your child in breathable, preferably cotton, clothing.

“Caring for a toddler's skin can be challenging, but a soft touch, common sense and working with a dermatologist can put parents at ease about any skin conditions that arise,” said Dr Johnson.-HealthNews-Digest.com

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