Rough skin in a child: causes and recommendations. Causes of peeling skin on the palms of children and adults - what to do and treatments

Dryness and flaking of the skin on the baby’s palms, feet, and face is one of the causes of parental anxiety. Concern is justified, since the state of the epidermis reflects internal processes in the body. There are quite a few reasons why dryness occurs. The diagnosis can be made by a good pediatrician or dermatologist. You should not delay a visit to a specialist so as not to trigger the problem.

Peeling and redness of the skin in a child can have various causes, so treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Causes of peeling and dry skin in children

Peeling is an increased renewal of skin cells. In medicine it is called desquamation. The phenomenon is often accompanied by itching, and children scratch their palms and the area around the eyes. Sometimes an infection is introduced into the body, which complicates treatment and slows down recovery.

For the same reasons, the child’s skin peels on the head, around the eyes, and on the cheeks. Often the problem occurs on the buttocks and behind the ears, where bleeding cracks can form. In a newborn, peeling may be associated with hormonal changes, poor-quality care products.

When the problem concerns infants, you should check the mother's diet. She may be taking medications or eating foods that cause allergic reactions in the baby. Newborns on artificial feeding may suffer from dryness and redness of the skin due to an incorrectly selected mixture.

Between the fingers

The skin between the toes and hands is thin and delicate, devoid of sebaceous glands. Damaging factors (dehydration, hypothermia, internal health problems) lead to the appearance of cracks, spots, and peeling. Externally, there may be redness between the fingers, the appearance of cracks, wounds, and ulcerations.

Often the problem of dry feet can be caused by uncomfortable and low-quality shoes. The epidermis stops breathing normally and begins to breathe, which negatively affects its condition. Peeling appears, which quickly spreads to the feet and heels. When wounds and clouding appear nail plate Candidiasis may be suspected.

White spots

Flaky spots white with a diameter of 1-4 cm - a symptom of white lichen, the causative agent of which is a fungus. It is present on the skin and is considered harmless. However, with reduced immunity, skin damage with the appearance of white spots is possible. There is a high probability of its occurrence in allergy sufferers, as well as in children susceptible to dermatoses and mycoses. Also, white spots on the arms and legs may indicate psoriasis.

Red spots

Red spots on the feet and hands often appear during an enterovirus infection. They may also indicate an allergy to food, wool or detergents. A similar symptom is characteristic of scabies. In this case, skin itching and restlessness of the baby at night are added.

Another reason is inflammation of small capillaries, which manifests itself in the form of pinpoint subcutaneous hemorrhages. Hemorrhagic rash is treated in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. Bites from blood-sucking insects can also leave spots that itch.

Red spots with a brownish tint on the hands and heels are evidence of lichen. They peel, peel, and leave white marks. Bubbles between the fingers that rise above the keratinized layer of dry skin are a symptom of another serious illness, dyshidrosis. In this case, itching, swelling, and progression of hyperemia are possible.

Rough rashes

Rough rashes without itching on the arms, legs, head and face are evidence of stress or lack of vitamins (we recommend reading:). They are also characteristic of allergic dermatitis, prolonged stay in rooms with low air humidity. Peeling is possible after hypothermia and chapping, the use of aggressive detergents and antibacterial soap. Red, rough and lumpy skin may indicate that your baby is not eating properly.

Allergic dermatitis

The skin peels and bursts

It is possible that the skin on the hands and head will burst and peel off after exposure to antibiotics and taking other potent medications. The same reaction is possible from overeating sweets, using low-quality soap, or severe chapping. The examination may show that the child lacks microelements and vitamins and will reveal diabetes and other endocrine pathologies.

Microcracks

Microcracks on the palms and heels are painful injuries to the skin. Their occurrence may be associated with poor circulation due to wearing tight shoes, synthetic socks or mittens. Another common reason is a slowdown in trophic processes in the skin.

Due to poor nutrition - lack of protein and vitamins - the epidermis loses its elasticity, becomes rough and cracks.

Treatment of pathology

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If a rash or peeling is detected on the feet, palms, and near the eyes, it is important to carefully monitor the child’s well-being (see also:). In addition to pronounced cosmetic flaws, the following symptoms may appear:
elevated temperature (more details in the article:);
lack of appetite;
lethargy;
a sore throat;
coughing up to vomiting;
dizziness.

Dry and flaky skin in a child may be accompanied by other symptoms, which will allow an accurate diagnosis.
Additional symptoms will help the doctor determine why the child’s skin is peeling and prescribe appropriate treatment. It can be carried out in a hospital or at home (when the pediatrician has ruled out dangerous diseases). Often it is necessary to take a blood test, urine test, and undergo skin tests.
With desquamation, the focus is on treating the underlying disease that led to the problem of dry skin. When peeling is caused by vitamin deficiency, frostbite, exposure to the sun and wind, the epidermis should be helped to recover faster. The child’s diet should be adjusted and foods rich in vitamins E, B, A, and proteins should be introduced.
Pharmacy drugs
When restoring the skin, the doctor prescribes ointments, creams and other effective pharmaceutical drugs. At the same time, he takes into account the nature of the problem and the diagnosis given to the baby. The most commonly used:
Bepanten ointment or cream. Can be used from birth. The active component of the product is dexpanthenol. It has a wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effect. The thick nourishing product is easy to apply, accelerates metabolic processes in epidermal cells, and moisturizes dry areas.
Levomekol ointment. Disinfects damaged skin areas, stimulates tissue regeneration if it peels. Helps well with suppuration.
Solcoseryl ointment. Regenerates cells, helps with large affected areas. Quickly and effectively copes with skin damage.
Calendula ointment. It fights well against cracks and microcracks between the fingers.

For additional skin nutrition, the doctor will determine which multivitamins you need to take. When diagnosing allergies, you cannot do without antihistamines (Fenistil, Erius, Cetrin). Treatment of atopic dermatitis is effective using bactericidal and nourishing ointments. Hormonal drugs should be used in exceptional cases.
Cosmetical tools
Cosmetic Vaseline and baby cream will get rid of peeling. First, the skin is cleaned with mild soap, then lubricated with cream, then gloves are put on for 20 minutes. You can also use Vaseline or olive oil. The procedure nourishes the skin and helps get rid of dryness and flaking. In special cases, they are appointed paraffin baths or boots. They are done in a physical therapist's office or at home.

Paraffin therapy
Folk remedies
Folk remedies soften the skin quite well, provided that the correct diagnosis is made. At home the most effective:
Warm baths with the addition of table vinegar (half a glass) and two teaspoons sea salt. The child should immerse his hands or feet in the solution for 10 minutes. Baths should be done no more than twice a day. The procedure helps remove peeling and heal microcracks.
Treat the affected areas with Vaseline and lemon juice. The procedure should be done before bed, and then put on warm socks or mittens.
Aloe juice, fermented milk products, magnesium sulfate, and honey will help cope with the problem. Any substance requires testing for an allergic reaction (on a small area of healthy skin).
Light massage of the affected areas. Provides a rush of blood, effective in combination with other therapeutic measures.

Massage procedures using essential aromatic oils have a positive effect on relieving dryness and flaking of the skin (we recommend reading:)
Prevention of dry and flaky skin
Desquamination is not transmitted to other family members (provided that it is not caused by a fungal or infectious lesion of a bacterial or viral nature). Prevention in children and adults should be carried out comprehensively:
a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, microelements;
maintaining personal hygiene and drinking regime;
selection of good shoes, socks, mittens;
hardening;
using soft water for bathing;
air humidification;
regular examination by parents of the skin of the arms and legs;
compliance with hygiene standards in the swimming pool and kindergarten.

Particular attention should be paid to children with allergies. It is important to eliminate all provoking factors and exclude products that cause a negative reaction. In any case, if there is redness, pain, cracks and peeling of the skin, it is important to rush to consult a doctor. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will protect you from problems in the future.

There is an established stereotype that a child’s skin is soft, velvety and smooth. In most cases, this is true - when stroking or hugging a baby, you feel all these qualities to a superlative degree. Unfortunately, sometimes children's skin suffers from dryness. To prevent the occurrence of an unpleasant symptom, it is important to know the reasons for its occurrence.

A little about the structure of the skin in children

The skin of a newborn is covered with vernix, it is much thinner than that of adults and consists of only 3 layers. This explains its velvety and smoothness. Until about 3 years old, the skin of babies is loose, contains a lot of moisture and an abundance of blood vessels. Their permeability is increased compared to the vessels of adults, which causes frequent and violent allergic reactions.

In newborns and children early age subcutaneous fatty tissue contains many fatty lobules containing refractory acids. That's why skin babies have high turgor (elasticity) . Their pinkish-pearl color is due to the increased permeability of blood vessels that are visible through the thin epidermis.

Physiological features:

Protective function Children's skin is imperfect due to the fact that the sebaceous and sweat glands still secrete a minimum of bactericidal secretion.
Thermoregulation unbalanced - the skin produces little heat, but releases it intensely.
Secretory function very complex, the epidermis and sweat glands secrete large amounts of keratin, melanin, calcium, and phosphorus.
Excretory function promotes the body's loss of urea, ammonia, various salts, hormones, vitamins, enzymes, and water.

If violated drinking regime baby, due to the high excretory capacity of the epidermis, the homeostasis of the whole organism is disrupted. All these properties may change due to excessive dryness of the child’s skin.

Why does a child have dry skin on his hands, feet, fingers, and body?

Most often, increased dryness is caused by:

Improper child care or imbalance of environmental temperature and humidity. The cause of skin peeling and loss of elasticity can be dry indoor air during the heating season. Central heating significantly reduces humidity, and since children's skin does not yet have the same adaptability as adult skin, it loses moisture and has difficulty adapting to new conditions.
Wind and low air temperature outside dry out the skin no less than steam heating. The skin of the child's face and hands becomes rough to the touch and becomes covered with red spots.
If dryness of the epidermis appears during the hot season, a possible reason for this is rapid loss of moisture due to an unbalanced drinking regime.
An excessive desire for cleanliness, as well as ignoring the rules of hygiene, are equally bad for the skin of infants and young children. If you wash your face and body too often using soap, foam, body shampoo and hair, the protective fat layer is washed off, and symptoms of allergic dermatitis may appear.
If parents have a negative attitude towards the baby’s hygiene, a “cocktail” of excretory products, house dust, urine and other components accumulates on his skin. The epidermis becomes irritated and, due to reduced regenerative capacity, becomes dry and flaky.

In some cases, negative symptoms appear only on the child’s fingers or toes.

Factors that cause dry skin on the toes and feet:
Sometimes dry skin is diagnosed only on the child’s hands, and peeling can spread to both the fingertips and the entire hand, including the palm and back side brushes
The location of dry skin lesions depends on the symptom that caused it. Dryness and peeling between the baby’s fingers are most likely signs of scabies mite activity; the tips of the fingers are affected - this is an allergy or vitamin deficiency. After a spike in temperature, all fingers are susceptible to dryness - the baby has suffered from scarlet fever. Both your fingers and palms become dry - you need to look for the cause in soap of poor quality or do an allergen test.

What to do if a child has dry skin on his hands, feet, fingers, and body?

A variety of manifestations of dry skin, different localization of lesions, a wide palette possible reasons— these factors are difficult to correctly assess for a non-specialist. In addition, if the cause of dry skin is an allergy, there is a risk of developing a more severe form of it - Quincke's edema. Therefore, any atypical skin reactions should be addressed to a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist.

Ignoring the symptoms of dry skin of a child leads to complications such as:

Redness of the epidermis.
Pain.
Peeling.
Cracking.
Attachment of a bacterial component, skin infection.

The doctor will conduct tests, prescribe laboratory tests, and recommend effective treatment.

How to help your baby at home:

Carry out fortification, use calcium supplements, fish fat(in consultation with the doctor).
Choose your moisturizer carefully.
Use baths with infusions of medicinal herbs (chamomile flowers, flax oil) rather than detergents to bathe your child, unless there are contraindications for this.
Keep your baby hydrated by regularly offering him water or other drinks.
Use humidifiers during the heating season.
Buy socks and tights for your child only from natural materials, wear leather shoes.
After visiting the pool, apply a moisturizer with vitamin A to your child's skin.
Protect your baby from both hypothermia and drying effects sunlight using protective equipment.

It is important to differentiate dry skin of a child from atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, ichthyosis, eczema . Symptoms of skin diseases that appear in early childhood should not be ignored, but timely diagnosis and treatment should be carried out, preventing the disease from becoming chronic.

Very often, many parents notice that, seemingly for no apparent reason, their child’s hands peel off. In fact, there are quite a few reasons for this condition, and an experienced dermatologist will help you understand them, since it is he who should be contacted when the first symptoms of peeling appear on the baby’s hands.

The main causes of desquamation (peeling) of the skin on a child’s fingers:

vitamin deficiency, namely the lack of vitamins E and A in the child’s body, which are responsible for the integrity and elasticity of the outer epithelium;
allergic skin reaction to external or internal allergens;
fungal skin infections and other dermatoses;
streptococcal or staphylococcal infection;
viral diseases;
long-term antibiotic therapy, treatment with sulfonamide and hormonal drugs;
irradiation of the child’s body;
frostbite of fingertips;
stressful situations and neurological disorders;
helminthic infestations;
pathology of the pancreas.

Clinic

The onset of the disease is usually quite delayed. Most often, the first sign that signals the possible appearance of flaking of the skin of the hands is itching. Moreover, at first the child’s hands itch not very much and intermittently, but over time the itching becomes more and more annoying.

The skin of the hands becomes inflamed and slightly hyperemic in appearance. At the same time, small blisters without any content appear on the fingertips and in the areas between the fingers. Gradually, these bubbles increase in diameter, involving healthy skin palms.

Rupture of the epithelium occurs, as a rule, due to mechanical damage during scratching. The skin peels off in small layers, and in its place a soft pink epithelium forms.

In some cases, there may be no itching at all, then the only manifestation of a functional disorder in the child’s body will be peeling of the skin of the hands. At first, few people pay attention to this symptom, so proper therapy is prescribed only when the process moves from the fingertips to the palms and above.

Most often, this disease begins in the spring and winter, when the lack of natural vitamins is especially noticeable. The process can take quite a long time and often requires medication. In rare cases, peeling goes away on its own and does not leave any residual effects on the skin.

Peeling treatment

Correction of nutrition is the basis of proper treatment. To enrich your baby’s diet with vitamins E and A that his body lacks, you should give him daily foods with the maximum content of the above vitamins, namely cereals (oats, corn, rye, barley), potatoes, liver, fish oil, eggs, apricots, peaches, carrots, pumpkin, plums, cabbage, prunes, dried apricots and parsley, dill or cilantro.

It must be remembered that vitamins A and E belong to the group of fat-soluble vitamins and are absorbed only in the presence of fats of animal and vegetable origin, so when preparing dishes you should add a little butter or sour cream to them.

Most often, when the skin of a child’s hands peels, eliminating the imbalance of nutrients necessary for the growing body is the only treatment method that allows you to completely get rid of the unpleasant peeling on small hands. IN winter time years, if it is impossible to provide the baby’s daily diet with the necessary vegetables and fruits, treatment of vitamin deficiency will be reduced to the prescription of pharmacy multivitamins.

An important aspect of the treatment of this skin condition is daily hygiene procedures. The skin of your hands must always be kept clean. It is necessary daily, carefully cleaning the desquamated epithelium of the hands.

In the treatment of skin peeling, baths with a series of, oak bark, celandine or complex herbal mixture. You should wipe your fingers and palms with a soft towel and only with wet movements. Using a hard towel and rubbing damaged skin is strictly unacceptable.

Immediately after cleansing, it is advisable to lubricate the affected areas of the skin of the hands with a baby moisturizer, an oil solution of vitamins A and E, or a special multivitamin cream (Bepanten, Boro-plus, Bübchen, Radevit).

In addition to the skin, special attention should be paid to the baby’s nails. They need to be cut at least once a week with safe children's scissors and make sure that dirt does not accumulate under the nails, as it can cause the wounds to become infected when scratched.

If vitamin therapy does not have the desired therapeutic effect, you need to consult a doctor to determine the exact reason why your fingers are peeling and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Traditional medicine

A decoction of oatmeal. It is recommended to take daily baths with oatmeal broth until the damaged skin areas are completely healed.
Flaxseed or Peach oil who need to lubricate children's hands after hygiene procedures.
Peeling of a child's hands is well relieved by wheat germ extract, which is generously applied to the affected areas.

Prevention

The main preventive measures aimed at preventing desquamation of the delicate skin of children's hands include a balanced diet, regular hygiene procedures, warming the baby's hands in the cold season, timely detection and treatment of helminthic infestations and other associated diseases, sanitization of foci of infection, as well as the general strengthening of children's hands. body.

And more articles on the topic:

Comments (14) -

Under no circumstances should such a disease be left to chance, and at the first symptoms you should immediately run to the doctor. The baby can suffer greatly when his hands peel off like this.

This disease can occur not only in young children. I had this in adolescence. I remember now that the skin peeled off my arms in rags, but there was no pain. And my sister’s fingers seemed to be “sloppy” (as if after being held in water for a long time). The doctor then said that it was due to a lack of vitamins (spring had just begun). It took about two weeks for me, but my sister recovered for about two months.

But first you need to make sure that it is not an infection. And only then start vitamin therapy. You can’t let it go, otherwise it will later develop into a chronic disease.

An excellent supplier of all the vitamins and microelements the body needs are freshly squeezed juices, especially fruit juices. But vegetable ones are also good. With juices, the gastrointestinal tract “rests” from digesting solid food, and the body has energy to restore all sorts of “breakdowns,” such as peeling skin on the hands.

It is likely that such diseases will progress in children in the near future, and this is due to the economic insecurity of many families, when the baby does not have the opportunity to eat well or the housing does not meet sanitary standards.

Prevention, of course, is a good thing, but if such a misfortune has already become attached, then you should not put off visiting a doctor. Why risk your child's health?

And our hands also peeled off for no apparent reason. There were just dry, white rags that didn't itch.
Naturally, I was frightened, with the child under my arm, and rushed to the doctor. Since nothing like this has ever happened to any of us before. The doctor, having taken a swab test from the throat for scarlet fever, reassured me (the article correctly states that this could be a streptococcal or staphylococcal infection of the body), saying that this is a common consequence of a sore throat.
Our treatment, since we cured the sore throat, but scarlet fever was not confirmed, was aimed at softening the skin and facilitating the removal of peeling “extra layers” of skin: herbal bathing in chamomile, nettle, celandine or string and lubricating the hands with a thin layer of Levomekol ointment.

When you have vitamin deficiency, there is no itching, and the skin comes off evenly, and only on the palms, nothing peels off between the fingers. No inflammatory processes, no weeping cracks or soggy hands. The skin will just peel off. In appearance, it looks like dipping your palms in PVA glue, letting it dry, and then trying to remove the layer of glue. I had this quite often in childhood, but it went away after a while. Doctors said it was vitamin deficiency.

Infection, fungus or lack of necessary substances - in any case, you need to make disinfecting baths, preferably from a decoction of celandine and chamomile; of course, medications are also needed.

My daughter had this when she was just born. But this is most likely due to lack of fluid. She crawled all over, not only her arms, but also her legs and tummy. An old nurse brought me boiled sunflower oil, applied it to me for about a week, and it helped.

Yes, such a harmless symptom at first glance, but what terrible diagnoses are hidden behind it. But most parents do not immediately consult a doctor. Will self-medicate
I will definitely show this article to all my friends. Moms, be careful!

I also had something similar when I was 12 years old. I didn’t have time to see a doctor - somehow it went away quite quickly. It was probably a reaction to stress.
But if this started happening to my child, I would run to the doctor.

When I was a child, the skin on my hands also peeled off, though not on my palm as shown in the picture, but on my hand itself and on a smaller scale. I took vitamin A, these tablets in a transparent shell with oil inside. They have neither the West nor taste. I liked them.

My son is 6 months old and his skin has come out only on his fingers and palm, but there is no redness or itching. I read the article and think that this is probably a lack of vitamin. 2 days since I noticed

In some children, parents notice the appearance of dry and rough skin. These changes may not be observed on the entire body, but in certain places: on the face, on the arms and legs, on the head or behind the ears. You need to tell your pediatrician about these changes and find out the reason for their appearance.

In this article, we will consider the reasons for such a phenomenon as rough skin in a child, and also describe the most popular recommendations of pediatricians on this issue.

Causes of dry and rough skin

Dry skin in a child can be a manifestation of certain diseases.

The causes of dry skin in a baby can be different:

The sudden appearance of reddish rashes on the face and roughness may be a manifestation . This change in the skin is caused by an excess of hormones in the child’s body, and such a rash disappears by about one and a half months of the baby. The skin on your face will be clean and soft again.

2. Rough skin may result from influence of external factors:

the influence of dry air and lack of fluid in the body;
lack of vitamins;
the quality of bathing water and the use of decoctions of some drying herbs (chamomile, oak bark, chamomile, etc.);
exposure to frosty air or wind on the skin; in this case, patches of rough skin appear mainly on open areas of the body;
Frequent use of shampoo (even high-quality) can contribute to the appearance of dry and rough skin on the head;
Excessive use of baby powder can also “dry out” the delicate and easily wounded skin of a baby.

Dry skin and roughness may be one of the symptoms of diseases:

congenital, in which increased appetite and thirst, increased blood glucose levels are also characteristic;
congenital (reduced thyroid function): as a result of slow metabolism, the renewal of the surface layer of the skin is disrupted; Dry skin is most pronounced in the area of the elbow and knee joints.

Rough skin may also indicate hereditary pathology ( manifestations of genetically determined roughness appear before the age of 6 years, more often from 2 to 3 years):

about ichthyosis, in which, as a result of gene mutations, the process of keratinization of skin cells is disrupted: first, the skin becomes dry, it becomes covered with white or gray scales, then the rejection of scales is disrupted, and over time the body becomes covered with them like fish scales. In addition to skin manifestations, there are dysfunctions internal organs, metabolic processes;
hyperkeratosis, a disease in which there is increased thickening, keratinization of the surface layer of the skin and a violation of its rejection. These manifestations are most pronounced in the feet, elbows, thighs and scalp. The causes of this pathology are not fully understood. In addition to the hereditary factor, others are also important for the occurrence of hyperkeratosis: dry skin of the child; avitaminosis of vitamins E, A, C; side effects of hormonal drugs; stress; hormonal changes during puberty in adolescents; overexposure ultraviolet rays; ; exposure to detergents.

may also cause rough skin in children.

But most often, pink and rough cheeks and buttocks may be a manifestation (the outdated name for this condition is “exudative diathesis”). It can appear as dry, rough patches on different parts of the body. This is a disease of an allergic nature, expressed in the skin's reaction to exposure to various allergens.

The risk of allergies in a child may increase when the mother is treated with hormonal and other medications during pregnancy, when she takes uncontrolled multivitamin complexes, or when the woman smokes during pregnancy and lactation.

Long-term breastfeeding is a good protection for your baby from allergies. The nutrition of a nursing mother is also important, excluding seasonings, smoked foods, fried and fatty foods from her diet.

Hereditary predisposition to allergies is also important, not only on the mother’s side, but also on the father’s side (the presence of allergic diseases of the type,).

Allergens for a baby can be:

food products, including dairy adapted mixtures or even mother's milk; in older children, allergies are provoked and intensified after eating sweets;
clothing made from synthetic fabrics;
washing powder and other hygiene products (soap, gel);
pet hair;
tobacco smoke (passive smoking);
aquarium fish and food for them.

Dry skin due to allergies can also be local in nature, for example, it appears behind the baby’s ears. When an infection occurs, crusts may form, oozing with unpleasant smell. True, such manifestations behind the ears can also be associated with errors in caring for the baby, and not with allergies: when regurgitating, vomit flows into the area behind the ear and is not removed from there in time.

Why does an allergy affect the skin?

The bottom line is that an allergy is the body's response to a foreign protein (antigen). In response to a signal that the protein is foreign, an antibody is produced to neutralize it. This creates an antigen-antibody complex that causes an allergic reaction.

It is known that allergies can also be caused by a substance that is not a protein. In this case, this non-protein substance combines with a protein in the blood and such a protein, which is native to a given organism, is already regarded as foreign and antibodies are produced to it.

The immature enzymatic system of the child's body is not able to break down some foods normally, and they become allergens. In another case, the product arrived at digestive system“in excess” - this situation occurs when a child is overfed. In this case, there are not enough enzymes, and the product (protein) remains undigested and unbroken.

Foreign protein (or incompletely digested) is absorbed into the blood. These substances can be released from the blood through the kidneys, through the lungs and through the skin (with sweat). The skin reacts to them with the appearance of a rash, redness and itching.

Considering the above, it becomes clear why it is so important not to overfeed the baby or overload his immature digestive system. This statement is confirmed by the fact that in a child during the period of intestinal infection, when the food load is noted and significantly reduced, the manifestations of allergic dermatitis decrease.

Clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis depend on the age of the child. In infants, it manifests itself mainly in the form of dry skin, flaking on the face, scalp, diaper rash, even if good care for the child. The main symptom is redness, itching, roughness and flaking of the skin on the cheeks and buttocks.
With proper treatment, symptoms are easily relieved. If untreated in children over a year old deeper layers of the skin are affected, as evidenced by the appearance of blisters and ulcers. Affected areas appear on the trunk and limbs. The child is bothered by severe skin itching. A bacterial or fungal infection may occur with the development of complications.

In children older than one year, atopic dermatitis takes on a protracted course with frequent exacerbations. The process can develop into eczema (dry or weeping). If left untreated, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma may join skin manifestations.

Dr. Komarovsky about allergic dermatitis:

Prevention of atopic dermatitis

From the first weeks of a baby’s life, parents should take care of the baby’s health.

Breastfeeding plays an important role in preventing allergies. A nursing mother must carefully observe, exclude spices, smoked foods, canned food, exotic fruits, chocolate from her diet, and limit the amount of confectionery products.
Systematically monitor the temperature and humidity in the child’s room - use hygrometers and thermometers. The temperature should be between 18-20°, and the humidity should be at least 60%. If necessary, you should use air humidifiers, and if they are not available, place containers of water in the room or hang a damp towel on the radiator.
The baby's underwear should be made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen). It is better not to buy items for children with allergies outerwear made of wool or natural fur.
Children's clothes and bedding should only be washed with gentle (“baby”) powders.
You should bathe your baby with baby soap no more than once a week. It is better to use purified water for bathing, or at least settled and boiled water.
During the day, instead of washing, you can use special hypoallergenic wet wipes.
When using disposable diapers several times a day, you should undress the baby and give him air baths.
Before going for a walk (20 minutes before), you need to use moisturizers to treat exposed skin.
If there is a genetic predisposition to allergies, pets and carpets should be removed from the apartment, and the child should not play with soft toys.
Several times a day, wet cleaning of the premises with water without the use of chemicals should be carried out.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis

Treating this disease is not an easy task. It requires the joint efforts of doctors and parents. Treatment is divided into non-pharmacological and medicinal.

Non-drug treatment

If a child with atopy is on breastfeeding, then the mother should follow a hypoallergenic diet.

Treatment always begins with improving the child’s nutrition. First, you need to identify and eliminate the food allergen. If the baby receives breast milk, together with the pediatrician, you should analyze the mother’s diet and track which product causes skin manifestations in the child.

Attention should also be paid to the issue of regularity of the mother's stool, since this increases the absorption of toxins from the intestines into the mother's blood. These toxins can then enter the baby's body through the milk and cause allergies. For the mother, she can use lactulose, glycerin suppositories, and increase the consumption of fermented milk products.

When bottle-feeding a child, it is advisable to switch to soy formula to exclude protein allergies cow's milk. Such mixtures include “Bona-soy”, “Tuteli-soy”, “Frisosoy”. If there is no improvement, the baby is transferred to mixtures based on hydrolysates of cow's milk proteins (Alfare, Nutramigen).

If dermatitis develops after the introduction of complementary foods, the baby should be returned to his usual diet for 2 weeks. Then start complementary feeding again, strictly following the rules for its introduction: every New Product administer, starting with the minimum dose, for 3 weeks. In this way, food allergens can be identified.

If the child is older than one year, you should keep a daily log of all the products the child receives and a description of the condition of the skin. The most allergenic foods (fish, eggs, cheeses, chicken, citrus fruits, strawberries, etc.) should be excluded, and then give the child only one product at a time for 2-3 days and monitor skin reactions.

Sweets are absolutely contraindicated for such children: they increase fermentation in the intestines, and at the same time the absorption of allergens increases. Consuming jelly, honey, and sweet drinks will make things worse. For children with allergies, products containing stabilizers, preservatives, emulsifiers and flavor enhancers are prohibited. It should be remembered that imported exotic fruits are also treated with preservatives to increase their shelf life.

It is very important to ensure that the child has enough fluids and regular bowel movements. The safest remedy for constipation in infants is Lactulose. You can also use Normaze, Duphalac. These drugs are not addictive.

It is very important that the child does not overeat. A formula-fed baby should make a very small hole in the nipple on the bottle with the formula so that he eats his portion in 15 minutes and gets a feeling of fullness, and does not swallow it in 5 minutes, requiring more nutrition. You can also reduce the dose of the dry mixture before diluting it. It is better to discuss this issue with your pediatrician.

When you reach the age for the first complementary feeding, it is better to start with vegetable puree from one type of vegetable. The most low-allergenic vegetables are cauliflower and zucchini.

When regulating a child’s nutrition, the adverse effects of the environment should also be eliminated. The air in the children's room should always be fresh, cool and humidified. Only under such conditions can sweating and dry skin in a child with dermatitis be prevented.

Family members should only smoke outside the apartment. The baby's contact with smoking family members should be kept to a minimum, given the release of harmful substances in the exhaled air of a smoker.

Wet cleaning of the premises, removal of “dust accumulations” (carpets, soft toys, velvet curtains, etc.), eliminating contact with pets will help achieve success in treatment. We must also remember to regularly wash toys with hot water.

All children's clothes (underwear and bed linen) must be made of cotton or linen. After washing children's clothes with hypoallergenic phosphate-free powder, they should be rinsed at least 3 times in clean water. In especially severe cases, the last rinse is also carried out with boiled water. The child's dishes should be washed without using detergents.

You should dress your child for a walk according to the weather. You shouldn't wrap your baby up to avoid increased sweating. Staying in the fresh air should be daily at any time of the year and in any weather - at least 3 hours a day. In winter, you must not forget to treat your baby’s face with rich baby cream before going for a walk.

With atopic dermatitis, skin care is very important not only during the acute stage of the process, but also during the period of remission. The child should be bathed daily in filtered or at least settled (to remove chlorine) water. You can add herbal decoctions (nettle, yarrow, burdock root) to the water, excluding the use of herbs with a drying effect.

When bathing, do not use a washcloth, but baby soap and use neutral shampoo only once a week. After bathing, the skin should be carefully dried with a soft towel and immediately lubricated with baby cream, moisturizing milk or moisturizing lotion.

Lubrication should be carried out throughout the body, and not just in the affected areas. Preparations containing urea (Excipial M lotions) moisturize the skin well. Bepanten ointment has proven itself well as a skin care product. It has not only a moisturizing effect, but also a soothing itching and healing effect.

It is necessary to wash your child's face and perineum frequently. You can use wet hypoallergenic wipes produced by well-known companies.

It is also important to maintain a daily routine, sufficient duration of daytime and night sleep, and a normal psychological climate in the family.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment of atopic dermatitis is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor!

Sorbents (Smecta, Enterosgel, Sorbogel) can be used to remove toxic substances from the body. If the child is breastfed, the child’s mother also takes the drug.

If rough spots cause itching and anxiety in the baby, then Fenistil ointment can be used to treat them.

As prescribed by an allergist, creams or ointments containing. For deep lesions, ointments are used, and for superficial lesions, creams are used. These hormonal medicines must be strictly dosed. You cannot change the dose and duration of use on your own. Cancellation of the drug should only be gradual, over a few days.

In this case, both the dose of the ointment and the concentration of the drug may decrease. To reduce the concentration, the ointment is mixed in a certain proportion (prescribed by the doctor) with baby cream. Gradually increase the portion of cream in the mixture and reduce the amount of ointment.

Hormonal ointments are given quick effect, spots of roughness and redness disappear. But these drugs do not act on the cause of the disease, and if it is not eliminated, changes in the skin will reappear in the same or other areas.

Hormonal ointments (creams) are usually combined with the use of Exipal M lotions, which helps reduce the duration of treatment with hormonal drugs, and, therefore, reduces the risk of side effects from the use of steroids.

Lotions have not only a moisturizing effect, but also an anti-inflammatory effect, equal to the effect of hydrocortisone ointment. In mild stages of dermatitis, lotions can have a positive effect without hormonal agents.

There are two forms of Excipial M lotions: Lipolotion and Hydrolotion. Excipial M Hydrolotion is used to moisturize the skin of children during the period of remission of dermatitis. The effect of the drug begins 5 minutes after use. It can be used from birth. A Excipial M Lipolosion should be prescribed during exacerbations of dermatitis. The lipids and urea it contains protect the skin from fluid loss, and the moisturizing effect lasts for about 14 hours. It is approved for use from 6 months of age.

The lotion is applied to the baby's skin three times: in the morning, immediately after bathing and before bedtime. When the process worsens, the lotion is applied the required number of times to ensure constant skin hydration. Regular use of lotions reduces the frequency of relapses.

In severe forms of the disease, calcium supplements (Glycerophosphate, Calcium Gluconate) and antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, Cetrin, Zyrtec) are additionally prescribed. But it should be taken into account that side effect These medications may cause dry skin. Therefore, antihistamines are used for persistent itching. Phenobarbital, which has a hypnotic and sedative effect, is sometimes prescribed at night.

Summary for parents

The appearance of rough, dry skin in a child should not be taken lightly. This should be regarded as an alarming signal from the child’s body. Most often, these “non-serious” manifestations are symptoms of atopic dermatitis. This disease can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders in early childhood and the development of severe allergic disease in the future.

Dermatitis should be treated immediately after it is identified. It is with high-quality treatment in the first year of life that a child can be completely cured. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome both everyday and financial problems that arise when treating a baby.

There are no unimportant components in the treatment. All components of therapy - starting with proper nutrition, daily regimen and skin care for the baby and ending with drug treatment is the key to a successful result. Only thanks to the efforts of the parents, in this case, the child will no longer be allergic, and he will not be in danger of developing eczema or bronchial asthma.

Which doctor should I contact?

If your child's skin changes, you should first contact your pediatrician. After excluding external causes (poor nutrition or skin care), the child is referred for consultation to specialists: a dermatologist, an allergist, and, if necessary, an endocrinologist.