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herlife | mother’s perspective
Recognizing
Treating
Infant
Skin Problems
by lisa allen
The fact that the phrase ‘smooth as a baby’s bottom’ is considered
a compliment implies that a baby’s skin is the epitome
of what we all yearn for: clear, vibrant and beautiful. Those
of us who have had
children, though,
know that a baby’s
first year is rarely
without some type of
skin issue that gives
us pause.
Most commonly
lumped into the
general category of
‘rash,’ infant skin
issues range from
uncomfortable and annoying to medically worrisome. The reason
babies are more likely to experience a rash or skin ailment is
because it takes approximately a year after a baby is born for the
epidermis to fully develop into the protective barrier necessary to
prevent harm. A baby’s skin is thinner, less pigmented, and does not
regulate temperature as well as more mature skin.
The most common skin issue that affects infants is diaper rash.
The environment created
by constant diaper
wear--moist, warm and
shaded--breaks down
the skin in that area.
When the elements of
poo and pee are added,
the elements are even
more ripe for irritation.
Keeping the skin as dry
as possible, cleaning
with gentle products,
using skin protectants like petroleum jelly or a zinc oxide cream,
and allowing the bottom to air dry as often as possible are ways to
alleviate this recurrent skin issue.
Another common rash is called intertrigo. A rash typically
The reason babies are more likely to
experience a rash or skin ailment is
because it takes approximately a year
after a baby is born for the epidermis to
fully develop into the protective barrier
necessary to prevent harm.
36 HERLIFEnewyork.com