Does Your Child Have Dry and Itchy Skin? We Have Solutions!

Winter Weather Skin Conditions
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Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD

As winter approaches, parents often become concerned with their child’s dry and itchy skin that doesn’t resolve with their normal moisturizers. The culprit can be a combination of our dry weather and a sensitivity of the skin called atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema.

Boy feel pain from a dry itch wound on his body skin isolated on white background

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition thought to be caused by both a genetic disposition and
environmental triggers. It is often referred to as “the itch that rashes.” It can occur at any age but is most common in infants to young adults especially those who have a personal or family history of asthma or seasonal allergies. Atopic dermatitis can present as a chronic colorless rough patch of dry skin but can progress into raised red scaly patches. The skin rash can be widespread or limited to a few areas. Treatment includes removing triggers that increase skin sensitivity such as products containing fragrances or dyes, using moisturizers to help improve the function of the skin and prescription topical steroids or immunomodulators to decrease inflammation of the skin. Skinfo offers some excellent options in the care of atopic dermatitis including Avene XeraCalm A.D. Lipid Replenishing Cream and AveneXera Calm A.D. Replenishing Oil.

Another skin condition affecting children and adolescents which tends to worsen in winter is keratosis pilaris, KP for short. KP is a benign condition in which keratin, a protein in the skin, forms hard plugs within the hair follicles. It may appear similar to “goose bumps” and often has a “sandpaper” feel. Although harmless, some find it cosmetically unappealing. Treatment is geared at mild exfoliation and added moisture which can diminish the bumps but is not a cure. Suggestions for treatment include: Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash and Skinfo Soft & Smooth Body Lotion. Both of these options and others can be found in our Skinfo boutique.

Most clients ask us how to treat and prevent dry skin on the body and face. We have some fantastic specialty moisturizers that will help you through the winter. Body moisturizers include the new Skinfo Vital Tea Body Balm and Skinfo Vita Body Moisture. Both have ingredients not available in drug or department store brands and none are very expensive. We also have many winterizing facial products like Skinfo Vital AHA 10% and Neostrata Biohydrating Cream, among many others.