BABY SKIN CARE

By Linda Chiara

For many parents, summertime brings a new set of concerns about how to
care for baby's skin. Is it safe to apply sunscreen on an infant? What
rashes
will go away on their own and which need medical attention? What causes
rashes in the first place?

The following list should be helpful in understanding common skin
conditions, and how to care for them:

Diaper rash is the most common. Virtually every baby gets it at least
once by their third birthday. It happens most often to babies who are
starting solid food, teething, or on antibiotics. Changing diapers as soon
as
they're soiled is the best prevention. Let baby go without a diaper whenever
possible. A diaper rash ointment seals out wetness and should be applied
with each diaper change and especially at bedtime. However, when it
comes to the use of baby powders, creams, etc., generally speaking less is
more.
A cautionary word on powders, in particular. Nothing smells better than a
freshly powdered baby does. Powder can absorb moisture, but be careful
not to use powder with talc, which has been linked to cancer. If powder is
needed or preferred, it's best to use cornstarch.

Cradle cap is a dry, scaly area on the scalp. It will generally
disappear on its own in a few weeks. However, if you want to speed up the
process,
apply a small amount of baby oil, shampoo off, and brush hair with a soft
baby
brush. Be careful not to use too much oil as that can aggravate cradle
cap.

Chafing is caused by anything that is tight or rubs constantly on the
baby's skin. Rubber pants and straps are usually the culprit. Remove the
tightened clothing and cleanse the area. Rinse and dry skin completely.

Eczema is skin that appears red, irritating and scaly. It's the most
severe type of irritation. Babies with sensitive skin are more likely to
develop it. The best advice is to clean and dry skin thoroughly and use
specially made sensitive baby skin products. Your pediatrician can recommend
which
products are best suited for your child.

Overdressing a baby often causes heat rash. In generations past, baby
was dressed one layer heavier than adults. Frequently, the heat was turned
up, too! Today's thinking is that a baby should be dressed in the same
number of layers as the parents are wearing. Sometimes a concerned
grandparent
will point out that the baby must be cold, because the hands and feet may be
blue and their skin may appear blotchy. Relax. This is due to the baby
having
immature blood vessels and is perfectly normal.

Pink spots on the face are called infant acne. It usually goes away
within the first few weeks of life. If it doesn't, consult your
pediatrician. A
similar problem for black infants is an eruption of small blisters,
which pop open to reveal a dark brown spot. The rash is usually present and
birth and also fades in a few weeks.

Does bathing baby too often adversely affect the skin? How often a baby
should be bathed is a subject of debate. Many pediatricians feel babies
should be bathed only two or three times a week. Most dermatologists
disagree. The consensus is that bathing an infant every day with a
cleanser made especially for babies can improve baby's skin. Many moms will
confirm  that bath time is fun for both parent and baby. The infant gets
much
needed exercise by kicking and splashing. A lot of parents will attest to
the
fact that their child sleeps better when given a warm bath as part of a
regular evening ritual.

Finally, a word of caution for sun lovers.  Most people get 80% of their
lifetime exposure to the sun in their first 18 years. It takes only one
severe sunburn in early childhood to double the risk of getting skin
cancer as an adult. Prevention is the key. Sunscreen should be used every
time a child, who
is at least six months old, is going outside. (This includes cloudy days.
Approximately 75% of the sun's UV light comes through the clouds).
Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and should be
continually reapplied every two hours. It should have an SPF of 15 or more
and
shouldn't contain the insect repellent DEET, which reduces the SPF. Apply
sunscreen in  all fully exposed areas and under the tee shirt, since UV rays
penetrate
through light material.

Check with your pediatrician if baby is on medication. Some medications
cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Remember that a burn doesn't
show for several hours. Don't judge baby's exposure by the reddening of
skin.

For babies under six months, limit time spent in the sun. When you must
take baby out, use hats, parasols, clothing and shade. Baseball caps on
little boys look adorable, but they do nothing to shield the ears and back
of
neck. Wide brimmed hats offer the best protection.

Knowing what to look for and taking a few simple precautions can make
your summertime with baby a lot more enjoyable.