My child has sensitive skin.

If we experience that our child reacts to some effect with skin symptoms, it is good to know that babies' skin is basically much more sensitive than ours, as adults.

A newborn's skin is thinner, more sensitive and vulnerable. In the first few weeks, they cannot sweat and thus regulate their body temperature, so they get cold more easily. Their sweat glands reach their full development when they are 7-8 months old.

More than half of newborns have skin symptoms, most of which are not actually diseases, but rather the reaction of their sensitive skin to stimuli in the new environment, in the form of skin reactions. In our article, we specifically address these common symptoms.

We may experience blisters and redness that are harmless and can go away with simple treatment. Some children have more sensitive skin – similar to adults – and this can be noticed mainly in later life, starting from a few months of age.

Source: Bethesda Children's Hospital

Let's get to know your baby's skin! 

The outer layer of a baby's skin is thinner than that of an adult, and therefore more sensitive. It can be more easily irritated by external influences. Its softness, velvety texture and elasticity are due to its high water content.

Due to the immaturity of the sebaceous glands in newborns, their skin is not sufficiently oily and is more prone to irritation. The initial light color is caused by a lack of pigments, but these will develop over time. Sensitive skin offers even less protection against infections.

Source: Dr. Ildikó Berczik-Nagy

What are the most common skin changes we can see on babies? 

There are some characteristic skin symptoms that expectant mothers may already be familiar with based on what others have told them. Indeed, the most common skin problems affecting babies are often the same, so it is definitely worth reading about them so that they can be recognized quickly.

Baby's skin is dry 

Newborn skin is often dry for a while, which is a temporary phenomenon and will go away within a few days.

Dry skin can also occur in infants and older children, in which case the child feels that their skin is tight or itchy. Since its layer is still thin, it is important to keep it properly hydrated with a cream or body lotion that should be used daily as recommended by the pediatrician. Hydration seals the skin surface.

It is worth choosing the cream according to the season, for example, in the summer we should use a product that is lighter for the skin.

Babies with more sensitive skin are more prone to atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis). The skin is noticeably rougher to the touch, it is important to moisturize twice a day. In this case, you should not overdo the bathing, just a short splash once a day is enough, because water has a drying effect.

In addition to hydrating the body, the pediatrician will also prescribe a medicated cream for the areas of the body where symptoms are visible.

Source: Maternity room Dr. Ágnes Csitos , Dr. Zsuzsanna Aschenbrenner

Baby's skin is peeling 

After birth, superficial peeling of the skin can be observed on the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, or even the entire body. The latter is mainly characteristic of babies born after the 40th week of pregnancy and usually disappears by 2 weeks of age.

If the peeling is severe, you can treat the skin in the folds with a cream, which you should consult your pediatrician for.

Source: Bethesda Children's Hospital

Hydration from the inside?

We know that dry skin can be greatly hydrated with adequate fluid intake, the body needs the right amount of fluid. What about children?

Although it used to be common to give sugary tea, often throughout the day, unfortunately, this is still used today by many people because the child “likes it”. Since tea is usually more delicious and sweeter than water, it is natural that the baby quickly gets used to its taste and his body to the carbohydrates it consumes. This can also be observed in the case of fruit juices. However, he does not need this.

The right fluid for your child is water. This should be the foundation, so they will get used to it, which will help them avoid unhealthy eating and tooth decay later on.

It is good to know that a breastfed baby does not need to be given a separate drink until he is six months old. In very hot weather, he can be given 1-1 sips of baby water or boiled water. In the case of formula-fed babies, give water after giving formula until he is six months old.

When starting complementary feeding, offer the baby water after eating!

Source: Maternity blog

Rashes on newborns 

The tiny, white or yellow-headed rashes appear after birth due to the immaturity of the sweat glands and disappear by 2-3 months of age. They are harmless lesions that do not itch or hurt. If we do not touch them unnecessarily, they will disappear without infection.

Heat rash  

If you see small, water-filled blisters on your baby's face, body, or in the most difficult-to-breathe areas, you may suspect heat rash. The symptoms are very common, especially in the summer, which is why we previously dedicated an entire article to heat rash . Read on!

The baby's skin is marbled 

“Marbled skin” most often indicates that a newborn or infant is cold. Since their fat pads are still thin, even higher temperatures may not be enough for them. We can also see a similar skin symptom in the early stages of a fever. If this possibility has been ruled out, dress the baby a little warmer.

If marbled skin is accompanied by unusual symptoms – such as rapid heartbeat and breathing, feeling unwell – then consult a doctor immediately!

Diaper rash on baby's bottom 

A baby's thin, more vulnerable skin can become irritated and inflamed in a closed, warm, wet and dirty diaper. While it may initially appear as small dots, within a few hours it can develop into large, continuous patches that are painful.

Diaper rash is a common symptom that requires proper attention, home or medical treatment. You can read about it in detail in our previous article!

Dandruff – a brownish layer on the baby’s scalp  

Seborrhoea capitis mainly appears on the scalp of babies under a few months old as yellowish-brown, greasy, scaly deposits. It can also be observed behind the ears and on the eyebrows in a milder form.

Cradle cap is not caused by poor hygiene – as one might think at first – but by the baby's scalp producing excess sebum. When the epithelial cells die, the sebum they produce creates a layered, plate-like formation that requires careful removal (for example, with baby oil) because it can cause wounds if removed.

If the baby's scalp is red, swollen, has an unpleasant odor, or is itchy, you should consult a pediatrician.

Source: Healthline

Choose cosmetics made from natural ingredients! 

We are becoming more and more conscious when choosing products with natural ingredients. This protects our own health and that of our children, and allows us to live more environmentally conscious lives.

When caring for your baby's skin, pay close attention to natural ingredients to avoid synthetic chemicals from entering their body. There is no need for fragrances or dyes. Natural cosmetics support the natural protective layer of your baby's skin.

Babies' skin is always more sensitive than adults', so we need to keep this in mind when bathing, caring for, and even dressing them. The skin shows symptoms extremely quickly, and if we don't notice them, they can quickly get worse - think of painful diaper rash, for example.

Therefore, when changing diapers, bathing, or dressing, we should always check the baby's body to notice the first signs of changes.