Skin conditions in children can be challenging for both kids and parents.
You watch your child scratch, squint, and poke at an area that’s bleeding. It’s red and inflamed. You can almost “feel” the discomfort.
How is your school-age child going to face all those other kids while dealing with red patches and inflammation? You’ve tried tons of products and DIY remedies, but nothing seems to provide lasting relief.
There is usually no quick fix for childhood eczema, rash, psoriasis, and other conditions, and some products can make these conditions worse.
Children’s skin is still developing, and is far more sensitive than adult skin. It tends to be more delicate and prone to irritation, environmental damage, and irritants, increasing vulnerability to certain skin conditions.
This is why it’s important to choose safe, effective products that truly benefit your child, with formulas that provide additional benefits like soothing inflammation, hydrating the skin, and strengthening the skin barrier without disrupting the skin’s natural balance.
In the article below, we’ll explore some of the most common conditions affecting children, why standard products often fail to do much, and discuss some solutions that can make a difference.
What Are Some of the Most Common Skin Conditions in Children?
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that affects about ten percent of children and adolescents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The exact cause is unknown, but dermatologists believe it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms include dry, itchy, inflamed skin, often in patches on the face, elbows, and knees.
Rescue & Relief Spray helps instantly relieve itching, irritation, and redness, while providing a calming and cooling effect for immediate comfort.
Calming Moisture for Face, Neck and Scalp helps manage and prevent flare-ups with moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and soothing ingredients like plant ceramides. Oat-based ingredients help relieve redness, irritation, itch, and rash associated with eczema and other sensitive skin conditions.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes itchy, dry patches on the skin. These patches can appear anywhere on the body, from the scalp to behind the ears and on the palms of the hands. The rash can be very bothersome and frustrating and may affect a child’s or teen’s mood, making them sad, depressed, or irritable.
Restorative Skin Balm is an ointment that helps heal and regenerate skin, while trapping in moisture to relieve scaly, itchy dry patches on skin.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritating substance. Common culprits include harsh cleansers and detergents, soaps, and certain fabrics. Symptoms include redness, itching, and swelling.
Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)
Found in infants, cradle cap causes scaly, greasy patches to form on the scalp. Most infants do not experience discomfort or itching. In some cases, if the patches become inflamed or infected, they can cause mild irritation. The condition is harmless and typically resolves on its own.
Calming Moisture for Face, Neck and Scalp immediately calms irritation with ingredients like aloe vera, beta glucan, and oat extract.
Restorative Skin Balm can help treat super dry skin and minor wounds like cradle cap, while safeguarding the moisture barrier and encouraging faster restoration of healthy skin.
All Sorts of Rashes like Diaper Rash, Heat Rash (Miliaria), and Hives
Heat Rash (Milaria)
Like a regular rash, a heat rash occurs when the sweat glands are blocked. Tiny red bumps appear that itch and cause irritation. This is more likely in hot and humid conditions and when the child is wearing restrictive clothing or synthetic fabrics that don’t breathe.
Diaper Rash
This is a form of dermatitis. It is often caused by wet diapers rubbing on the skin and leading to chafing and sensitivity.
Hives (Urticaria)
These are, in essence, red rashes. Red, raised welts suddenly appear on the skin, usually in response to some allergic reaction. They can be triggered by insect bites, foods, medications, or even stress.
Applying a barrier ointment like Restorative Skin Balm helps create a protective layer on the skin and shields it from moisture and irritants. Wound-healing ingredients help skin speedily recover.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. It causes red sores that burst and form honey-colored crusts. It is highly contagious but treatable with antibiotics.
Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)
This fungal infection causes circular, scaly patches on the skin. It’s contagious and spreads quickly among children through direct contact with individuals or contaminated objects.
Warts
Warts in children are typically caused by one of the human papillomaviruses, a DNA virus that can cause a variety of warts. Children may get them from infected parents or by sharing towels, toys, and bathmats with infected people. The warts typically appear as flesh-colored or hyperpigmented bumps or plaques.
Why Some Standard Over-the-Counter Skincare Products Don’t Work
In their desire to help their children, many parents turn to over-the-counter creams and lotions, only to find that they don’t help or, sometimes, that they make the condition worse.
This is often because these products include ingredients that can further irritate the skin. Sometimes, they contain hormone-altering ingredients or create other negative impacts on skin health and comfort.
Look for products like CV Skinlabs that are made with natural and organic ingredients and avoid potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Fragrances and Dyes
These are made up of a cocktail of chemicals that can trigger skin reactions.
Preservatives (Parabens, Formaldehyde Releasers, Etc.)
These help extend the shelf-life of products, but they can also cause irritation and allergic responses.
Sulfates (SLS and SLES)
Found in cleansers and shampoos, harsh detergents can strip the skin of its natural oils, worsening conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Petroleum-Based Ingredients
These can provide temporary moisture, but they can also clog pores and trap bacteria. Over time, they may dry out the skin more.
Alcohol (Ethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol)
These ingredients dry out the skin and exacerbate irritations.
Better Solutions for Skin Conditions in Children
To reduce irritating symptoms and help your child’s skin heal, try these 10 solutions.
Use Gentle, Clean Skincare Products
Be more choosy in your skincare products. Turn the bottle over and read the ingredient list. Look for items that are fragrance-free and are formulated without parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, or petroleum-based products. Choose those made for sensitive skin and with natural and organic ingredients.
CV Skinlabs products are gentle, yet very effective, clinically proven, and screened by a toxicologist to be sure they are safe for your children. You can use all of them on all ages, even infants, with complete peace of mind.
Our formulas were created specifically for sensitive skin and conditions like eczema, rosacea, rashes and more. Our products include nourishing, hydrating, and healing ingredients rich in antioxidants and with anti-inflammatory benefits that help restore the skin’s natural pH balance and strengthen the skin barrier. Ingredients like plant ceramides, beta glucan, oat extract, chamomile, turmeric, and more contain properties that can help soothe skin and reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation, while helping repair the skin.
Avoid Harsh Soaps and Detergents
Choose gentler, fragrance-free cleansers and laundry detergents to prevent further irritation. Don’t have your child use bar soap. Instead, install creamy cleansers at all your sinks, and use moisturizing body washes in the bath and shower. Choose gentle shampoos that avoid sulfates, and look for laundry detergents made without extra chemicals.
Moisturize Regularly
This is extremely important in children with skin conditions, but it does require daily care. You and your child should establish a routine where you moisturize at least twice a day—more often if needed. Choose a clean, safe moisturizer for the face and body and apply it regularly.
We recommend our Calming Moisture for the Face, Neck, and Scalp and Body Repair Lotion for the body. Always apply moisturizer after your child gets out of the shower or bath. This is when the skin is most open to receiving moisture.
Then, during the day, if your child gets hot, red, or needs a quick spritz of moisture, apply our Rescue + Relief Spray. It’s easy to use anywhere and provides a cooling, anti-inflammatory action, leaving the skin moisturized and calmed.
Limit Bath Time and Use Lukewarm Water
Little kids love to play in the bath, but if they have skin conditions, that’s not good for them. The water robs the skin of moisture, leaving it dryer than before. Try to limit the time and always apply moisturizer afterward.
Dress Them in Soft, Breathable Fabrics
Cotton clothing is usually best for kids with sensitive skin, as synthetic fabrics can cause friction and irritation and may trap heat and sweat next to the skin.
Monitor Diet and Allergens
Some skin conditions, like eczema and hives, can be triggered by food allergens. Sources may include dairy, eggs, and nuts. Sometimes, children are allergic to pollen, pet dander, or dust. Keep a diary to help identify potential triggers, and talk to your allergy doctor about solutions.
Use Humidifiers in Dry Climates
If you live in a dry climate, install a humidifier in your child’s room for use overnight. This helps moisten the air and can keep your child’s skin from drying out overnight.
Try Good Natural Remedies
Some natural remedies can help, like oatmeal and Epsom salt baths, aloe vera treatment, and moisturizing masks.
Encourage Your Child to Avoid Scratching
Scratching can make skin conditions worse and may lead to infections. Regularly trim your child’s nails, then encourage them to come to you whenever they feel the urge to scratch so you can apply something to help ease the itch. Our Rescue + Relief Spray is a great option!
Consult with a Dermatologist
If your child’s skin condition persists or becomes worse, seeking medical advice can help.
How do you manage skin conditions in children?
Featured image by Gustavo Fring via Pexels.
