What is dry skin in children?
Children's skin is generally more sensitive than mature adult skin. It is thinner and more sensitive to environmental influences: sunlight, various chemicals, allergens and so on. In children under six, the skin's natural protective function is particularly weak, so it needs special care.
Genetic predisposition
Children's skin is often dry because dryness is genetically inherited. Symptoms can range from barely noticeable to difficult to control. This deserves special attention, as dry skin can also be a sign of neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis).
Symptoms of dry skin in children
Dry skin in children can look pale and feel tight. The tight feeling often appears after bathing, and applying cream brings relief. Dry children's skin often flakes and looks fragile. Very dry skin easily becomes rough, dented and cracked, and cracked skin is especially prone to inflammation.
Dry, cracked skin in children is usually accompanied by itching. Is your child's skin often scratched? Dry skin is not always immediately visible, and children do not tell their parents about every sensation. Frequent scratching can therefore be a sign of dry skin. Dry skin itches especially at the elbows, hands and shins.
Causes of dry skin in children
Dry skin in children is caused by an impaired skin barrier. Moisture can escape from the skin, and the skin becomes more permeable to microbes and bacteria. This weakness of the barrier is also often inherited from the parents.
Stress, heavy sweating, local skin irritation, allergies (e.g. to food or pollen) or cigarette smoke in the child's environment can also harm the skin. Diet and hygiene are also important factors. However, there is no single diet for dry skin. The diet should be tailored to each child and include plenty of fruit and vegetables and little sugar and white flour.
What helps dry skin in children?
The most important thing for relieving itchy dry skin in children is proper care. A cream for dry children's skin should be chosen carefully. Moisturising products are generally perceived as helpful. Water-in-oil emulsions with evening primrose oil (gamma-linolenic acid) make the skin softer and smoother.
The EUBOS HAUT RUHE range contains no skin-irritating colourants or fragrances. HAUT RUHE LOTION is ideal for daily care of the whole body, and HAUT RUHE face cream is designed for particularly demanding areas of facial skin.
Body oils for dry children's skin
An evening massage with body oil is ideal for cracked children's skin. If you want to prevent dry skin, regular oil care is recommended. Evening primrose oil soothes dry, itchy skin in children. Creams with evening primrose oil, such as HAUT RUHE CREME, support the skin's natural barrier function. Coconut oil has many beneficial properties: it has antiviral and antibacterial effects and reduces the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.
Skin-friendly bath oil for dry children's skin
When bathing in the evening, oil can be applied straight after washing, on still-damp skin. This way even more moisture is retained in the skin. Bath oil can also be added to the bath water as the only bath additive to protect sensitive skin. Bath additives, shower gels and the like damage the skin's natural protective film. Plain water with a high-quality bath oil, such as HAUT RUHE BADEÖL, soothes the delicate skin of children and babies instead of harming it.
Oil care can be combined with a relaxing massage before bed. Place an old towel on the bed and gently massage the oil over the whole body. This way skin care can become a relaxing evening ritual.
Dry children's skin needs careful care
To get a diagnosis, discuss the symptoms with your paediatrician. An experienced paediatrician can give important advice and rule out serious skin conditions. Many paediatricians also like to prescribe their own care creams (with olive oil, evening primrose oil, etc.) that are mixed specially for you at the pharmacy.
What else helps dry children's skin?
To protect children's delicate skin, use detergents and especially fabric softeners (as they are not rinsed out) labelled as suitable for sensitive skin. They contain fewer chemical additives that can irritate children's skin. It is even better to do without fabric softener altogether.
Sun protection is essential
Rely on high-quality sun protection with the highest possible sun protection factor. EUBOS HAUT RUHE SONNENSCHUTZ is free from fragrance and alcohol but offers active cell and DNA protection. The effect of the sun on the sensitive skin of babies and children is still underestimated. Sun protection is essential for children, not least to prevent dry skin.
Dry skin in babies
A baby's skin is particularly sensitive and needs special care. Dry skin in babies is common and can be treated properly. Our little ones have a range of skin issues, from cradle cap and rashes to dry skin and neurodermatitis. Dry skin in babies is often only a cosmetic problem.
Unfortunately, it can also be a sign of neurodermatitis. Typical red, dry cheeks show that a baby's skin is too dry. Reddened areas on the hands and feet should be taken seriously, and attention should be paid to the dryness of the baby's skin.
Caring for a baby's dry skin properly
To help prevent or relieve dryness in a baby's skin, the following care tips are recommended:
- Regular skin care with a special cream for dry children's skin (e.g. HAUT RUHE CREME)
- For every bath, use only lukewarm water and bath oil instead of shower gel
- Suitable clothing to prevent sweating or getting cold
- Use a detergent and fabric softener for sensitive skin
Our recommendation. For very dry, rough and irritated areas of children's skin, choose Eubos Haut Ruhe Cream.
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