Winter brings a ton of fun outdoor activities for families to enjoy but with the cold, your baby’s skin is at risk. Certified dermatology physician assistant Jamie Kim advises taking extra precautions during the colder months. “The cold and dry air in the winter can irritate skin, especially if the child has eczema,” she told Mom.com.
Don’t be forced to stay indoors because of a fussy and uncomfortable baby dealing with skin problems. Instead, be proactive about your baby’s dry skin and other possible ailments. Here are some of the most common winter skin ailments and what you can do about them.
Dealing with dry skin on baby's face
In the cold with baby: Chapped lips and frostnip
5. Chapped lips
Your baby’s lips are always going to be exposed to the cold. The fact that babies are constantly drooling means the lips are constantly wet, breaking down the protective layer of skin. Just as you would do for your own lips, apply a layer of lip balm or petroleum jelly to your baby’s lips to protect them. Make sure the lip balm is approved for babies, and is free of fragance and flavorings – coconut oil is another alternative. Check with your pediatrician to see what would be the safest method for your baby.
Also, note that severely chapped lips that are cracked, red and swollen may in rare cases be a symptom of a more serious condition such as Kawasaki's disease, so consult with your baby's doctor if their condition doesn't improve.
6. Frostnip
When your baby’s fingers, nose, or any other exposed skin becomes red and tender, they may have frostnip. This is a mild form of frostbite and happens when the body starts to send warm blood to vital organs to keeps warm rather than circulate throughout the extremities. This is why keeping your baby warm with mittens, a hat, and blanket will help prevent frostnip. To alleviate the problem, give your baby a lukewarm bath. If the skin doesn’t return to its natural color within a couple of hours, give your pediatrician a call since this could suggest a more serious condition such as frostbite.
7. Chapped skin
Bright red cheeks are pretty common during the winter but if the skin becomes rough and cracked, your baby has chapped skin. This is an inflammation of the skin usually where skin rubs. To alleviate the problem, make sure your baby is bundled up properly when going out and use a thick moisturizer on any chapped area to soothe the cracked skin.
