How to Deal with Common Pediatric Skin Problems

Is your child bothered by rashes or other skin diseases?
Would you like to free your child from these pediatric skin problems?
As parents, we all want our kids to have healthy skin, right?

Help! My Baby got Rashes!

Who would want to see their kids suffer through the itch and discomfort of sore or irritated skin? Or worse see a child’s self-esteem get deflated by the appearance of red patchy skin all over their body.

Pediatric skin problems…

can cause anxiety not just for kids but for parents as well. Dry itchy skin brings discomfort and is quite bothersome. Kids who can’t help scratching can even make the condition worse. Rashes and skin diseases also have a very unpleasant appearance which may bring shame to those who have it. Simply imagining what your child has to go through whenever skin diseases attack is emotionally painful for most parents. My daughter also suffers from skin problems so I know the stress and anxiety that these skin concerns can bring.

One of the most common pediatric skin problems that occur among infants is Diaper Dermatitis or Diaper Rash. It is a type of contact dermatitis wherein skin in the diaper area gets inflamed or irritated. This is usually caused by wet diapers, allergy, yeast or bacteria.

Baby eczema or Atopic dermatitis is another common skin problem among babies and toddlers. It is characterized by a raised rash with dry itchy skin. Children with a family history of the same condition are likely to have atopic dermatitis too. My daughter has this type of skin problem and it always breaks my heart to see red patches all over her body whenever it acts up.

Skin Problems Have Big Impact on Kids

Rashes and other pediatric skin problems don’t just irritate the skin, it also affects your baby’s mood and general well-being. Babies and toddlers who aren’t provided with immediate relief tend to cry a lot and become irritable. It can also affect their sleep and appetite thereby depriving them with rest and nutrients that their body needs. In the case of school-aged kids, the unpleasant skin appearance can result in taunting or bullying which can be a blow to their esteem. In fact, there is a study that shows skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis can cause social problems for kids.

Researchers found that children with eczema — and their parents — rated their quality of life as poorly as children with the other diseases did on topics like interference with school and play, loss of sleep, teasing, and bullying.

Causes of Pediatric skin problems

• Pediatric skin problems are usually a result of genetics, external factors, and immune system dysfunction. In the case of eczema there are trigger factors that can cause it to flare or get worse. Common triggers are allergens, dry skin, low humidity, heat, sweat, stress, wool, soap and detergents.
• Everyday items like cologne, lotion, and bath soaps can be trigger factors too. Even some products that have been advertised as gentle and formulated for kids can also be triggers.

As such, parents with kids suffering from skin diseases should scrutinize skincare products first before using it.

How to Prevent and Treat Common Skin Problems

Bathing and moisturizing can help address dryness and itching during Atopic dermatitis flare-ups. Gentle cleansers are essential to ensure that your baby’s skin is cleaned without further irritation. I got to know the characteristics of a good cleanser during the Oilatum’s ProtectKNOWLogy Bath Time Summit last Feb 6, 2020 and it proved to be useful in choosing the best cleanser for my daughter.

Now I only go for soaps and cleansers which are:

1. Neutrally charged or no charge at all.
2. Uses the least amount of skin stabilizers. NO PARABENS, NO FORMALDEHYDE, NON-GMO
3. Has ingredients that act as emollients and moisturizers.

Aside from a gentle cleanser, you may also use petroleum jelly, mild corticosteroids, and moisturizers to address itchiness and dryness. But as always, it is best to consult a dermatologist when it comes to treatment options.

Oilatum’s ProtectKNOWLogy Bath Time Summit Empowered Mothers to Show Their Love Through Healthy Skin

There are also fungal and bacterial skin diseases that commonly occur in children. These were discussed during Oilatum’s ProtectKNOWLogy Bath Time Summit. Dr. Wilsie Salas-Walinsundin, a pediatric dermatologist, gave us an overview of these diseases as well as tips on how to avoid and treat them. We also got to learn about the psychiatric effects of skin problems on children and maternal mental health from Dr. Antonio Sision. The simple message is that skin diseases shouldn’t be taken for granted as it can affect physical and mental health more than you think.

Another key learning that I got from the experts is that – Proper skincare is the key to addressing common pediatric skin problems. This is why your choice of skincare products for kids is crucial. Soap with harmful chemicals can easily irritate your child’s skin or cause skin dryness with prolonged use. Your best options are mild soaps that are specially formulated for a baby’s sensitive skin. In my daughter’s case, I found Oilatum soap to be effective in preventing and addressing skin problems. Not just for babies but for adults as well.

“With Oilatum, we believe that high quality skin care for toddlers is within reach. We know this would be great news to Filipino moms, and, as the brand promise says, another amazing way to show their love to their child” shared Mr. Gary Clark, APAC Regional Head of STADA.

So, what does it take to get a rash free and healthy skin for your baby? I’d say its knowing, listening, and a dose of TLC. That is, knowing your child’s predisposition to skin problems and how to address it. You should also listen to expert advice only or that of a dermatologist when it comes to skin treatments. Finally, choose gentle products that care for your baby’s skin as lovingly as you do.

Pediatric skin problems are more common than you think. Sadly, not everyone takes skin diseases seriously while some aren’t equipped with information to prevent and treat it properly. You can help bring relief to those suffering from skin diseases by sharing this post with them. This way you can help educate others on the impact of skin diseases in kids as well as treatment and prevention options. You can also like or follow Oiltum Facebook account for more skin care tips.