Treatments for Dry Skin in Children
Dry skin is a common problem that often occurs during the winter season. Because of the low humidity, the skin loses water, causing dry, cracked surface skin. There is no long-term cure for dry skin. But there are some things you can do to relieve the dryness.
1. Bathing
Use lukewarm water - avoid hot or cold water.
Do not vigorously scrub with a washcloth, sponge, or brush. The best soaps to use are:
Bar Soaps: Unscented Dove®, Cetaphil®, Oilatum®
Liquid Soaps: Cetaphil® or Aquanil®
Reduce bathing time to 5-10 minutes, and apply a moisturizer after bathing.
Do not use bubble bath, or if you do, use a small amount and rinse well. Apply moisturizing creams or ointments as soon as you finish your shower or bath. Begin by shaking off the excess water, pat dry, right away apply the cream or ointment over the still damp skin. This helps seal in the moisture and prevents evaporation of the water. It isn’t very helpful to apply creams or ointments to dry skin.
2. Moisturizers to use
Lotions: Cetaphil®, Eucerin®, Nutraderm®, Lubriderm®, Moisturel®
Creams: Eucerin®, Cetaphil®
Ointments: Aquaphor®, Vaseline®
Prescribed creams or ointments should be applied to areas of dermatitis only. Moisturizers are applied to the whole body. If applied at the same time as prescribed ointments or creams, always apply the prescribed medicine first. In most cases, creams and ointments work better than lotion.
3. Do not use colognes, perfumes, sprays, powders etc. on your skin or your child’s skin.
4. Use a small amount of unscented laundry products such as Cheer-Free®, All®, Dreft®, Trend®, or Purex®. Double rinse clothes if you can after washing them.
5. Do not wear tight or rough clothing. Wool clothes and new clothes can be irritating.
6. For extreme dryness, a humidifier or vaporizer may help. Remember to keep it clean or molds may spread throughout the area.
7. For cracked or fissured skid, apply Polysporin® or Bacitracin® Ointment at least two times a day until healed.
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UW Dermatology Department 1 S. Park St 7th Floor Madison, WI 53715 Clinic: 608 287-2450 |
American Family Children’s Hospital Pediatric Dermatology Specialty Clinic 1675 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53792 Clinic: 608 263-6420 |
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 06/17/2009
Copyright © 05/01/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6459
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