Dry Kid's Skin
Causes and Remedies

Dry kid's skin is a problem that our children may experience in the wintertime. When they play outside they are exposed to the cold dry winter air. When they stay indoors the dry heated air inside the houses can cause their skin to become dry.

We usually think of red rosy cheeks being a sign of healthy skin but that is not the case in the winter. It is more often a sign of dry skin.

The reason why the skin drys out is simple: The skin simply does not get enough moisture.

We can treat our childrens' dry skin in two ways:

• return the moisture to the skin or
• stop moisture from escaping from the skin.

Preventive Measures

• Keeping the skin's moisture is the first step in preventing our children from suffering irritated dry body skin.
  • We do this by making sure the children eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, avoiding sweet beverages but drinking milk and water instead.

• Avoid long periods of sun exposure, cold air or harsh winds.
  • These contribute to our children having dry skin.

• Limit showers or baths to two or three a week.
  • Frequent washing may strip the skin of its natural oils.
  • The bath or shower should be with warm water not hot.
  • The bathing time should be limited to ten minutes or less.
  • Do not rub the skin too roughly, just gently pat to dry the skin.

Return Moisture To Your Kids Skin

• Apply moisturizers thickly and often.
  • Applying creams, ointments or lotions will help to keep the child's skin soft and hydrated.
  • Thick creams and ointments are greasier than moisturizing lotions, however, they will stay on longer.
  • These moisturizers should be applied immediately after having the bath in order to trap the water on the skin.
  • Apply moisturizers before your child suffers dry skin

• Humidify the house keeping the air inside at about 30 percent to 60 percent relative humidity.
  • If relative humidity is low it can cause the skin to itch as well as causing dryness in the nasal passages.

It is good to realize dry skin can also be caused by other conditions that need special attention and on-going treatments. Some of these conditions may be eczema or psoriasis.

If your kid's dry skin persists, your doctor or a dermatologist specializing in childrens' skin problems can give you the correct diagnosis.

Top of Page

For More Information About Skin Care for Your Whole Family Visit

Total Family Care
Does Shaving Hair Make It Grow Back Faster and Thicker?
Seniors Skin CareHow To Reverse Dry Feet

To learn how to have beautiful family skin leave Dry Kids Skin and visit Infectious Skin Deseases