Written in partnership with Dr. Clarence De BELILOVSKY, Dermatologist and member of the Mustela circle of experts.
CLIMATE AND SEASONS: influences on extremely dry skin?
Climate can influence the development of extremely dry skin in your baby. To understand how, simply start with this observation: extremely dry skin thrives on anything that dries it out, makes it sweat, or exposes it to allergens. While wind can contribute to this drying effect, humid or temperate climates are not its best friends: the former helps the skin maintain its moisture levels, while the latter prevents it from getting too hot.
The highlight of spring: its temperatures.
Neither too hot nor too cold, they are a delight. Unfortunately, it's also pollen season and the time for gardening, especially mowing the lawn. The smell of freshly cut grass is certainly a pleasure, but its texture can be irritating. Therefore, it's important to:
-
Avoid excessive outdoor activities or minimize their duration to prevent prolonged contact with pollen if your child is sensitive to it.
-
For the same reason, you should avoid hanging your child's laundry outside to dry.
-
Long-sleeved trousers or t-shirts are preferable as they protect the legs and arms from potential harm.
In summer, the sun shines more often. Great news for the skin!
Indeed, it has beneficial effects on extremely dry skin. This is the principle of phototherapy. It has even been observed that atopic eczema is less frequent in regions with the highest UV index. However, be careful of sunburn and heatstroke. Therefore, it is advisable to:
-
Always protect your child's skin with a very high protection, fragrance-free sunscreen lotion specifically formulated for babies and children, with a high SPF. It's easy to forget, but even in the city, the face, arms, and calves can be exposed.
-
Limit outings when the sun is at its peak.
-
Opt for activities that don't make you sweat too much.
-
Apply your emollient treatment as often as necessary.
Autumn is taking over... The intense heat is over and it's not very cold yet, the pollen is gone.
Nothing special to report... You can enjoy this mild late season!
Winter is coming. Synonymous with cold, it seems to be a rather quiet season. And yet!
Cold air, in particular, has the same drying effect as heat when it's pronounced. Furthermore, to cope with the chilly temperatures outside, we sometimes overdress. This leads to a risk of sweating... and a risk of itching! If an anorak or jacket is necessary for your child, don't hesitate to layer soft clothing (with a cardigan, for example) to adapt to temperature changes once you arrive at daycare or the babysitter's!
Dry air. It also contributes to drying out the skin. This is true both outdoors and indoors, especially when the heating is too high. While not an enemy, winter is perhaps the time of year that requires the most attention. However, your specific emollient baby/child care product will always be an excellent defense.
Finally, everything must also be considered in relation to the region. Indeed, summer in the south is rarely the same as in the north...
