Babies are extremely susceptible to dry skin problems and rashes as they have extremely delicate skin. In fact, nearly all babies experience some form of mild skin irritation before their first birthday. Although these rashes are common, they should never be ignored as this could aggravate the condition and lead to secondary infections.
A regular skin care program is essential to rejuvenate the skin and encourage healing. The face, stomach, and diaper area are the most common sites for these rashes. You mentioned that his skin is dry and this is something that needs to be attendee to immediately. Dry skin flakes easily and allows microbes to thrive under these flakes and if the skin is broken an infection can set in. You will need to ensure that you are using products that are suitable for a baby’s skin. It is better to use natural products as far as possible as these do not contain chemical perfumes that can further irritate his skin.
The first step you will need to take is to ensure that his bath water is not too hot. Hot water will strip a baby’s skin of its oils leaving it dry. Make sure that his bath water is only slightly warm and that he does not soak in it for prolonged periods. In addition to this, make sure that the soap and shampoo that you are using is very gentle. Choose products that do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as this is a detergent that reacts with body oils and can cause excessive drying. Give him an oil massage with olive oil or coconut oil at least an hour before his bath. Make sure that you also apply a little oil to his cheeks and the areas affected by the rash. Wrap him up warmly as this will ensure that the oil soaks deep into his skin. You can then give him a bath as usual. After his bath, make sure that you use a moisturizer. Moisturizers contain oils that help to trap moisture within the skin as they form a protective layer over the skin. This will also help to prevent secondary infections. You can make your own moisturizer by mixing 2 drops each of almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil along with 3 tablespoons of warm water. Pour this into a small bottle and shake it well. Apply this mixture to his entire body after his bath to prevent his skin from drying. If the rash does not disappear within a few days of these changes, take him to your doctor for a thorough examination.
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