Dry skin

What is dry skin?

The skin has natural oils to keep it lubricated and soft. Sometimes, your child's skin stops producing oils, or exposure to harsh soap or dry air can lead to dry skin, which can become irritated or itchy.

Signs and symptoms of dry skin

Dry skin may have some of the following signs or symptoms:

• dryness
• scaling or flaking
• irritation
• sensitivity to touch
• peeling
• cracking

Causes of dry skin

There are many reasons why children develop dry skin, which include:

• a dry environment
• a child's active lifestyle, such as sweating and exposure to irritants in swimming pools
• underlying skin conditions, such as eczema
• exposure to harsh soaps or creams
• a genetic or inherited tendency for dry skin

Too much (or too little) bathing can lead to dry skin. Exposing your baby's or child's skin to very hot water or too much soapy water rinses away the body's natural lubricating oils.

How to help your child with dry skin

• Use warm water, rather than hot water, for showers or baths.
• Limit bathing time to 10 minutes or less.
• Avoid harsh, drying soaps and bubble baths.
• Consider bathing your baby every day or every other day and pat the skin dry gently (rather than rubbing vigorously) afterwards.
• Try fragrance-free, soap-free cleansers and moisturizing ointments.
• Apply a non-irritating moisturizing ointment immediately after the bath and as frequently as needed during the day. Ointments are thicker and often more effective than creams or lotions.
• Place a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room to add moisture to the air inside your home.
• Dress children in soft, breathable fabrics.
• Wash your child's clothes in detergents without dyes or perfumes.

When to see a health-care provider

Make an appointment with your child's health-care provider if:

• your child's skin does not improve within two weeks
• the cracks in your child's skin develop a yellowish discharge
• your child is experiencing discomfort due their skin