Written in partnership with Dr. Clarence De Belilovsky, Dermatologist and member of the Mustela expert circle
The first signs: Your baby wakes up from their nap...
A little grumpy, with tears in his eyes and... very red cheeks! Bad dream? Just overheating? A little hungry? Faced with this redness and his mood, doubt creeps in. It's true that at this age – generally, extremely dry skin appears around two months – it's impossible to ask him questions to find out exactly what he's feeling.
How to spot the first signs?
However, a few very simple indicators can allow you to draw up an initial assessment:
- Do you or your partner have, or have you had, extremely dry skin? Heredity is certainly the most telling sign.
It is even a valuable sign because it can allow you to adopt, from birth, care practices that could reduce the risk of developing symptoms by 33% to 50%.
- Your baby's skin is very dry. You know this because even though you moisturize it with cream, it remains rough. It may even have some flaking (peeling) in some areas.
- Your baby is having trouble falling asleep. There could be so many other reasons, that's true. But, combined with one or two other symptoms, this difficulty sleeping could be another indication (see the article My baby is having trouble sleeping).
- Red patches are appearing... Particularly on her chin, cheeks, arms, stomach... They are an almost unmistakable characteristic of extremely dry skin.
If tiny bubbles begin to form on these plates, there is no longer any doubt. This is a surge.
What happens during a flare-up?
Inflammation always follows the same path: initially, it manifests as small, itchy red patches. These patches create slight raised areas of skin, making it feel rough. They can then develop into small, barely visible blisters.
When they break, a clear fluid may appear: this is called oozing. It will leave a scab that will disappear on its own. Rest assured, regardless of the intensity of these outbreaks, they will not leave any lasting marks on the skin. It's important to prevent your baby from scratching to avoid worsening the sensations or causing a secondary infection.
How to soothe your child and when to consult a doctor?
Specific baby and child care products such as emollient balms or creams, along with simple tips, can provide relief. For extremely dry skin, redness, or allergies, consult your pediatrician.
As soon as you suspect your child is exhibiting these symptoms, it's best to consult your pediatrician. First, to confirm the diagnosis. If your child also has food allergies, they may refer you to a dermatologist or allergist. These specialists will be able to prescribe specific treatment in case of a flare-up.
The rest of the time, that is, during periods of calm, you can put in place small, very effective rituals to help prevent it...
1 Source: Eric L. Simpson 2014, Horimukai 2014.
