Extremely Dry Skin in Children
Extremely dry skin in children is often caused by harsh environmental conditions or by atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema. Dry skin to this degree is annoying and uncomfortable to the child, but is fairly treatable; in fact, most children outgrow their bouts of dry skin before they reach adulthood. If the dry skin is not diagnosed as eczema or a more serious condition, medication is not necessary and at-home treatments should solve the problem.
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Causes
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Causes of dry skin in children can be external or internal. Environmental factors include warm temperature, dry air or harsh chemicals on the skin from soaps or laundry detergent. Internally, immune system malfunctions may worsen the symptoms of dry skin and can lead to eczema. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but the symptoms of the disease are very well documented.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of excessive dryness or eczema include thickened or scaly skin, red to brown colored patches of skin, itchiness and small blisters on the skin. Hair loss can occur in areas such as the hairline or near the eyebrows. Dry skin and eczema are not to be confused with seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap, which exhibits eczema-like symptoms on infants' scalps. Cradle cap is caused by excessive oil on the skin, not excessive dryness.
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Treatment
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Treatments for very dry skin can be as simple as applying lotion, or as advanced as administering medication and antibiotics. When moisturizing, use lotions or creams to hydrate the skin and ointments to keep moisture trapped in the skin cells. Keep showers and baths short to reduce water loss from the skin, and use only mild soap to prevent skin damage from harsh detergents. If symptoms persist, medications are available to relive eczema.
Medication
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Common medications for the treatment of eczema include antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids and interferon gamma. Antibiotics work to kill bacterial infections resulting from eczema, while antihistamines help patients sleep and may reduce itching. Corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed medication for eczema, and can be tailored in strength to fit a patient's needs. Interferon gamma stimulates the immune system in an attempt to treat the suspected root cause of eczema.
Larger Issues
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Occasionally, dry skin is a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland, responsible for maintaining bodily equilibrium, does not produce enough essential hormones. Dry skin is a symptom of hypothyroidism in infants and children; other symptoms include weight gain, difficulty swallowing, confusion and low blood pressure. Hypothyroidism can lead to delayed or stunted growth and mental retardation when it occurs in young children. If your child exhibits these symptoms, take him to a pediatrician for a checkup.
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References
- Photo Credit skin image by Robert Kelly from Fotolia.com
