How temperature changes affect your child’s skin

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The skin is the most important organ within the human physique.

Compared to adults, kids have extra delicate, thinner skin.

They might face frequent issues corresponding to skin irritation, rashes and dry skin.

The skin additionally serves a number of essential features, corresponding to forming a barrier (e.g. in opposition to micro organism and viruses, and moisture loss), permits us to really feel sensations (e.g. warmth, chilly, contact), and helps the physique regulate temperature.

Hot, heat, chilly

Whenever children are uncovered to the climate, their skin can be uncovered to warmth, humidity, solar and sudden temperature changes (e.g. from an air-conditioned room to scorching climate exterior).

In addition, Covid-19 prevention normal working procedures nonetheless should be adhered to, corresponding to carrying face masks, which will increase the humidity beneath it, and utilizing hand sanitisers.

Sensitive skin can’t tolerate drastic changes in temperature, e.g. from scorching and sweaty to chilly and dry.

Heat may cause sweat and dirt to build up in sure areas, e.g. the brow, neck, the folds of elbows and knees).

It’s additionally not advisable to expertise extended publicity to extremes of warmth or chilly.

These situations might trigger children to come across the next skin issues:

> Prolonged solar publicity

Without correct safety (e.g. sunscreen, UV-resistant clothes), skin irritation and/or sunburn can simply happen.

Even when in shade, one may be uncovered to the solar through home windows, the automobile windscreen, and so on.

Quick tip: Apply sunscreen with a minimal solar safety issue (SPF) of 30 on uncovered skin (e.g. neck, face, arms, legs) earlier than going out.

Sunscreen comes off simply when rubbed, washed or when one sweats, so reapply once more if mandatory after greater than two to 4 hours have handed.

For sunburns, use merchandise containing antioxidants, nutritional vitamins A, C and E, and/or furfuryl palmitate.

ALSO READ: Wondering how much sunscreen to apply on your child?

> Use of face masks

Excessive humidity build-up from sweat or moisture from one’s breath might contribute to rashes on the skin space lined by face masks, in addition to pimples or pimples when face masks are used for a chronic interval – sure, even for youngsters.

Quick suggestions: For rashes, clear and wash the affected skin space, then gently pat dry.

Allow the skin to “breathe” once in a while.

Apply a skinny layer of petroleum jelly to the affected areas (e.g. lips) earlier than carrying a face masks.

Do notice that if you happen to placed on too thick a layer, it might induce pimples as an alternative.

For gentle pimples outbreaks, therapy contains light, common skin care, i.e. using topical retinoids and benzyl peroxide.

This might necessitate common intervals of light washing.

> Use of hand sanitisers

Frequent use helps stop the unfold of Covid-19.

While using sanitisers containing no less than 60% alcohol is advisable, this will dry out the skin.

Quick tip: Use an applicable quantity to sanitise, then apply moisturiser instantly afterwards to stop the skin from changing into too dry.

> Too a lot chilly air

Air-conditioning could make the recent climate extra bearable, but it surely additionally makes the air drier.

Sitting in school rooms or homes with the air-conditioning turned on all day lengthy can dry out the skin and make it itchy.

Quick tip: Cold air tends to be dry, so keep the air-conditioner’s temperature between 24-26°C.

Stay hydrated by consuming no less than six to eight glasses of water a day.

At dwelling, use a humidifier in air-conditioned rooms to stop the air from changing into too dry, or place a bowl of water within the room instead.

Use moisturisers ceaselessly to stop dry skin, particularly on overexposed areas (e.g. the lips, eyelids and limbs).

Caring for dry skin

When it involves skincare for youngsters, it is very important use applicable skin-moisturising merchandise after a bathe/bathtub.

Avoid merchandise that comprise alkaline pH or recognized perfume allergens as they could irritate or sensitise the delicate skin.

Test any new merchandise by making use of a small amount behind the ears (the place the thinnest skin is positioned) and look out for any allergic reactions and/or indicators of discomfort after 5 to seven days.

The sort of moisturising merchandise used additionally rely upon a person’s skin sort and sensitivity, so chances are you’ll want to check earlier than selecting an acceptable one.

The most most well-liked varieties of moisturisers are:

> Ointments

These have a “richer” and thicker texture because it has greater oil content material.

Some kids might dislike it due to the oily feeling, but it surely locks in moisture higher.

> Lotions

These have greater water content material and extra liquid, however do not need the identical oily feeling as ointments.

Thus, it might not lock in moisture in addition to a cream-based moisturiser.

Other skin-friendly components in moisturisers embody colloidal oatmeal (fantastic powder oatmeal) and skincare merchandise containing antioxidants, liquorice extract and prebiotics, which assist to assuage itchiness and restore the skin microbiome.

Generally, moisturisers are finest utilized after a bathe to retain moisture and earlier than bedtime.

Stay alert

A baby’s first response to itchiness is to scratch.

Preventing skin dryness can avert lots of affected by itchiness, irritation and fixed scratching, which can end in damaged skin and irritation.

Protecting your youngster’s skin is one thing you will want to do 24/7, particularly in Malaysia because of the scorching and humid climate.

Don’t ignore any skin issues in the event that they persist and verify with your physician for recommendation on what to do.

Dr Leong Kin Fon is a advisor paediatric dermatologist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with professional companions. For additional data, please e mail [email protected]. The data offered is for instructional and communication functions solely, and it shouldn’t be construed as private medical recommendation. Information printed on this article shouldn’t be supposed to exchange, supplant or increase a session with a well being skilled relating to the reader’s personal medical care. The Star doesn’t give any guarantee on accuracy, completeness, performance, usefulness or different assurances as to the content material showing on this column. The Star disclaims all duty for any losses, injury to property or private harm suffered immediately or not directly from reliance on such data.



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