If your child has dry hands, this is not necessarily a cause for concern. How to distinguish between normal and pathological conditions if a child has dry hands and answer the question of why hands are dry can be done by reading this article.
The skin of a person, including a child, is the main indicator of health. Good skin most likely reflects good health, but if your skin is dry and flaky, it could be a symptom of something else.
What is peeling skin on the palms
Hands are one of those parts of the body that are more susceptible to negative external factors than others. It is natural for the skin to renew on them within a month, when the upper layer of the epidermis is replaced almost imperceptibly. If this becomes obvious, then there is definitely a problem in the body. You should be alert to the skin on your hands bursting, flaking and hanging down in the form of rags that can even be torn off. This is peeling, which affects the fingers and hand as a whole, and often even both.
Symptoms
Skin peeling is manifested by several simple signs - it bursts or cracks, after which pieces of the epidermis appear on the surface, which peel off on their own or can be torn off. Such symptoms affect the fingers as a whole, the surface between them and their pads, the palm itself and its back side. The skin may peel off on a certain part of the hand or all at once. A reason to consult a specialist are other signs that may be present along with peeling:
What disorders in the body cause dry skin in children?
Dry body skin in a child aged 2 to 8 years is often caused by a number of disorders in the functioning of the body, including:
- improper diet;
- impaired blood circulation;
- allergic reactions;
- parasites;
- hormonal imbalances.
With improper nutrition, when a child refuses to eat normal food, a lack of vitamins occurs in the body, and this causes dehydration. The children's diet should be varied and must contain vegetables and fruits, fish and meat. Read more about what vitamins are needed for peeling skin in a separate article.
Why does the skin on the palms of the hands peel?
There are many reasons why palms and fingers peel and peel. It all depends on the individual, his skin and occupation. One of the main ones is an allergy to:
- cold;
- caring cosmetics – creams, ointments, soaps, etc.;
- food consumed;
- medicines;
- dishwashing detergent, especially if used frequently without gloves.
Another reason that the skin peels is the lack of proper hand care, including insufficiently deep moisturizing. This is especially true for those who have naturally dry skin. From a lack of vitamins, peeling of the epidermis is also often observed. With a deficiency of microelements, the elasticity of the skin decreases, which can cause cracks. Vitamin deficiency occurs in autumn or spring. In winter, peeling is a consequence of exposure to cold. Among the more general factors that cause peeling are:
- prolonged exposure to the sun;
- dry air during the heating season or hot period of the year;
- the habit of constantly scratching your palms, which causes infection in the tissues;
- contacts with cement, dust, earth and other construction work.
Causes of dry skin on a child's feet
Children's skin differs from adults in its receptivity and sensitivity. Its protective properties are still just being formed. It requires additional attention and care. Most often, dry skin is found on a child's legs.
Normally, in the autumn-winter period, children may experience increased dryness of the epidermis. The condition of the skin is affected by factors such as cold, wind, dry hot air in heated rooms. This problem can be dealt with by using various protective creams and installing a household humidifier in a kindergarten or room.
The skin of the legs suffers the most in the summer, when it is hot and the body quickly loses moisture. In this case, cracks may even appear on the feet, into which dust and sand get trapped. This must be taken seriously, because infection can enter the body through wounds.
What factors can cause increased dryness of the skin?
There are quite a lot of them:
- Unbalanced diet. This usually happens if a child refuses normal food. Parents follow the lead and agree that the child eats “at least something.” The children's menu should be varied; it must include fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. A lack of vitamins A, E and PP inevitably leads to dehydration.
- Poor circulation. This condition may be the result of wearing clothes that are too tight. The same thing happens if a child wears the wrong shoes - smaller than the required size or improperly cut.
- Lack of care. Skin that is overdried due to external factors does not receive proper care. The keratinized areas must be removed with a pumice stone or a washcloth. This will allow air access and prevent the formation of cracks.
- Allergy. Often children are allergic even to gentle baby detergents. This is expressed by dryness, flaking and itching. In this case, you will have to change the soap or gel.
- Parasites. According to some doctors, dry skin on a child’s legs may be a result of parasite infection. For prevention, it is better to undergo smears periodically.
- Hormonal changes. The skin may become dry after using hormonal medications. This also happens during periods of age-related changes. For example, during puberty.
- Frequent bathing. Too frequent bathing (several times a day) with detergents, even mild ones, has a negative effect.
There are many reasons that cause dry epidermis in children. In most cases, nothing bad happens. However, if such a problem occurs suddenly, and usual care does not help, it is better to show the child to a dermatologist.
We look at the video in more detail about the causes of dry skin:
Diagnostics
It is difficult to identify exactly the reasons why the skin on both palms is peeling off on your own, because some tests are needed. During a visual examination, the doctor notes other symptoms, such as cracks, pain, redness or itching. He also determines the places where these signs are noted, if they are not only on the hands. The doctor looks to see if only the fingers or palms as a whole are peeling, identifies the patient’s skin type and inquires about how long the problem has been. To diagnose hidden diseases, blood and urine tests are prescribed. A skin sample helps identify an external irritant, such as a fungus.
Why do dry spots appear on a child’s body?
Dry skin in a 6-month-old baby and older has various causes, but sometimes dry spots form on the body. This is normal if they do not last long and go away on their own. There are quite a few reasons, among which physiological ones are common: babies do not have developed fat glands. Another reason is due to environmental influences:
- Food;
- low air humidity;
- hard water;
- inappropriate soap.
To treat dry spots, parents need to buy some product at the pharmacy, among which Panthenol is common. If even after using it the spots do not disappear, contact your pediatrician, who can diagnose serious illnesses:
- eczema;
- dermatitis;
- psoriasis.
If the disorder is identified in a timely manner and treatment is started, it will be possible to get rid of it in the shortest possible time without dangerous complications.
What to do
A dermatologist can correctly diagnose the reason why the skin of your hands is peeling, so if you have such a symptom, it is better to immediately contact a dermatologist. Until this point, you can try to improve the condition or at least alleviate it. The first thing you need to do is start taking care of your skin. After washing, they need to be dried thoroughly. Twice a day, the skin should be lubricated with a nourishing cream containing chamomile, glycerin or aloe. The following will help improve your condition:
- Baths. A very effective recipe is 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water. Leave your hands in this composition for about a quarter of an hour, after which they are blotted with a napkin and lubricated with cream.
- Masks. Honey ones are especially useful. Honey should simply be applied to the skin. After half an hour, it is washed thoroughly.
- Lotion. Rub your hands with a piece of cucumber, then lubricate them with a mixture of glycerin cream and lemon juice.
How is dry skin treated in children?
When a child has dry skin on his legs, arms, butt or stomach, the best results will be achieved by an integrated approach to treatment. As a rule, in most cases they do without medications, since there are a variety of methods and means.
First of all, it is necessary to remove from the room any sources of allergies, including carpets, a canopy over the crib, soft toys, etc. It is also necessary to limit the baby’s contact with pets and try to walk in the fresh air more often. Ventilate the room regularly, and in the cold season, use humidifiers when the heating is on.
When a child has dry, rough skin on his legs, parents are advised to keep a food diary. It records all the foods consumed by the baby or mother during breastfeeding. This will allow you to track and identify products that cause dryness on your skin.
To prevent dry skin on your child's legs and arms, it is recommended to use moisturizers after bathing. Pharmacies sell special ointments, including Bepanten, as well as various emollient creams. Choose special treatments for dry skin in children. They create a moisturizing, soothing and regenerating effect, removing excessive dryness.
When dry skin itches in a child 2-4 years old or older, you need to go to the pediatrician as soon as possible. He will determine the root cause of the disorder and prescribe appropriate effective treatment. In advanced cases, pediatricians prescribe medications.
Treatment
A certain therapy is prescribed by a doctor after diagnosing the disease. It may include medications and a number of care products, including traditional recipes. It can be especially difficult to get rid of fungal infections, but after identifying its type, this is quite possible with the correct selection of ointment. In case of an allergic reaction, completely different medications are prescribed - with antihistamine properties, and in case of vitamin deficiency - with a complex of vitamins. Even salon procedures such as paraffin therapy, hot or spa manicure can prevent peeling.
Medication
The prescription of drugs is determined by the reason why the skin is peeling. In case of fungal infection, treatment is carried out using such means as:
Therapy may not be very quick and may take a long time, up to several months. If the cause is an allergen, then you need to limit contact with it. To enhance the effect, it is necessary to take antihistamines, for example, Suprastin or Zyrtec. In addition to them, sorbents are often used that remove toxins from the body. When treating more severe diseases, such as eczema or psoriasis, the doctor himself determines the therapy. It includes:
- corticosteroid drugs – Advantan, Lokoid;
- anti-inflammatory medications - Elokom, Bepanten, Fenistil.
Self-medication is unacceptable here, as is the case with syphilis, lupus erythematosus, scarlet fever, scabies and other diseases that cause peeling. If the problem is a lack of vitamins, then you should take a multivitamin complex and additionally eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Ointments designed to regenerate the upper layer of the epidermis can be auxiliary products in the treatment of skin. The highest quality restorative drugs are:
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine recipes are also effective in combating peeling hands. Although it is better to use them as an adjuvant to the main therapy against a specific disease prescribed by a doctor. If the skin peeling is not caused by serious pathologies, then you can use the following folk recipes:
- Celandine ointment. To prepare it, add 1 cup of vegetable oil to the leaves of the plant. Then you need to boil this mixture, add 20 g of wax to it and keep it on the fire until it is completely dissolved. Apply the resulting composition to the damaged areas 2 times a day.
- Gelatin. Baths are made from this product. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of gelatin into 1 glass of water. The mixture is boiled for 40 minutes, then allowed to stand for a while. You need to place your hands in the warm mass and hold it until it cools.
- Honey with oatmeal. A mask is made based on them. To do this, take 1 tablespoon of each ingredient, mix and leave for a couple of minutes. Leave this mask on the skin of your hands for about half an hour, then wash it off with warm water and lubricate the skin with a rich cream.
Dry hands as a symptom of the disease
But, unfortunately, constant dry skin can also indicate very serious diseases of any of the child’s systems and organs. The answer to the question of why a child’s hands are dry may be a disease such as hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland secretes an insufficient amount of hormones. Dry skin can also signal the onset of lichen, psoriasis, diabetes, poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies, eczema, stress reactions, kidney failure and rhinitis. A number of other serious diseases can manifest themselves in the form of dry skin.
A correct diagnosis can only be made based on laboratory tests by an experienced doctor. After diagnosis, only a doctor can prescribe treatment.
Prevention
Regular preventive measures can help prevent skin problems. It consists of good hand care, which includes:
- Dry your hands thoroughly after washing;
- refusal of antibacterial soap in favor of a soft gel for sensitive hand skin;
- drink up to 2 liters of fluid daily to prevent dehydration;
- use sunscreen in summer;
- in cold weather, always wear mittens or gloves;
- maintain proper nutrition so that the diet is rich in vitamins;
- use rubber gloves when doing housework;
- use hypoallergenic cosmetics;
- Lubricate your skin with moisturizing creams daily.
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When dry hands are not a disease
In addition, if a child constantly has dry hands, this may not indicate a disease, but insufficient air humidification in the room. In this case, it is enough to constantly humidify the room air and the problem will disappear. This reaction of a child’s skin is typical only up to the age of three.
Dry skin can also occur due to weathering or exposure to the sun. In this case, the help of a doctor is not required; it is enough to lubricate the child’s skin with moisturizers or sunscreens.;
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