Children's Skin Care

For some parents, it might come as a surprise that a child’s skin actually functions differently to adult skin. This is because the skin’s self-protection mechanisms, which mature adults possess, are far less developed in young skin – especially in babies.

Baby and child skin is also thinner and more delicate than adult skin, so it reacts much more sensitively to external factors. Therefore, a child’s skin needs special care and protection to keep it healthy and safe.

Nappy Cream

While a baby’s skin is lovely and soft, there is nothing lovely about an irritable and grumpy baby suffering from nappy rash. It is a very common issue which very few children manage to avoid – the NHS estimates that up to a third of all babies and toddlers in nappies have nappy rash at any one time.

The rash usually shows up as red patches on a baby’s bottom – and in some cases the whole bum may be red. The affected area of skin may feel hot and/or sore to touch. A rash can be caused by a number of factors, such as a baby’s skin being in contact with urine or poo for a long time, or the nappy rubbing against the skin. It is also a good idea to avoid baby wipes which contain alcohol, as they can make a baby’s skin dry, which in turn can bring on a rash.

The best way to deal with nappy rash is to try to prevent your baby from getting it in the first place. Metainium Nappy Care Ointment is a breathable barrier cream designed to help protect from the causes of nappy rash. Similarly, the hypoallergenic Healthpoint B5 Panthenol nappy ointment, also helps to protect babies skin while wearing nappies.

However, if a rash does appear, there are plenty of creams, liquids and ointments on hand to help treat it. These include Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment, Sudocrem Antiseptic Cream and Bepanthen Ointments, which have been designed to protect and help heal the affected area.

In most cases, keeping your baby dry and applying barrier creams will help clear a rash within a few days. If the rash doesn’t go away, however, or your baby develops a persistent bright red, moist rash which spreads into the folds of their skin, they may have picked up an infection. If in doubt, contact your GP.