WORK IN PROGRESS
Dr Mark Tang, a Consultant Dermatologist at the The Skin Specialists & Laser Clinic with a clinical interest in paediatric dermatology, explains that newborn babies’ skin is still 'work in progress'.

“Newborn skin is thinner and more fragile than adult skin, making it more susceptible to skin irritation, trauma, infection, heat loss and unintended absorption of chemicals and allergens. Hence, special baby skin care is necessary to protect and maintain a healthy skin barrier and function for our precious little ones,” said Dr Tang.

COMMON COMPLAINTS
Dr Tang shed light on the three most common skin conditions that afflict babies: cradle cap, diaper dermatitis (aka nappy rash) and eczema.

Cradle cap, characterised by yellow scaling and crusting over the scalp and face, is very common in newborns. It is due to overactive oil glands in the first few weeks of life, and usually goes away on its own.

Diaper dermatitis is also common in the first two years of life, and is generally caused by prolonged contact with soiled diapers. Frequent diaper changes, gentle cleansing and protective diaper creams can all help with prevention and the relief of symptoms.

In addition, early onset atopic eczema can surface before six months of age. Eczema usually starts as red inflamed rashes over the cheeks (milk rash) or on the forearms and legs. Using a good emollient to protect and maintain the skin barrier has been shown to prevent its onset.

BATHING BABY
When it comes to bathing baby, less is more, confirmed Dr Tang.

“Once a day bathing of newborns is safe and sufficient – whereas over-bathing can lead to dryness,” said Dr Tang. “When bathing baby, it’s best to use moisturising liquid cleansers that are pH neutral or slightly acidic (pH 5.5), and are free of harsh surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). There is no need to add antibacterial chemicals.”

PRODUCT PURCHASING GUIDE
Dr Tang urges parents and care givers to use products that have been specially formulated for baby skin. To be on the safe side, he suggests you look for reputable brands that have invested in safety testing.

“Baby wipes should be fragrance-free and alcohol-free. For bathing, liquid soap-free cleansers are preferable to water alone, and bar soaps should be totally avoided,” cautioned Dr Tang. “A word of warning: products labeled ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ are not necessarily chemical-free. It’s important to read labels carefully to avoid irritant and allergic skin reactions. Finally, insect repellents that contain high-dose DEET should not be used on baby skin.”

DIAPER DILEMMA
The debate rages on ¬– to use cloth or disposable diapers? Dr Tang casts his vote in favour of the latter. Here’s why.

"There have been many improvements in the design, quality and absorbency of disposable diapers, which make them superior to cloth diapers," said Dr Tang.
He went on to explain that disposable diapers have special super-absorbent layers to ‘trap’ the urine and liquid feces. This not only protects the skin, but is also more hygienic. Newer designed diapers are also made with ‘breathable’ materials that reduce occlusion and skin maceration.

Finally, the convenience of disposable diapers cannot be denied. The rigmarole of cleaning cloth diapers is time-consuming, and machine-washing with detergents runs the risk of leaving a residue on the diaper. Furthermore, even after a good wash, cloth diapers can remain faintly smelly and stained, necessitating a second wash or risking the transfer of bacteria onto your baby’s bottom. Ironically, the money saved on disposables is inevitably spent on electricity and water for washing cloth diapers.

PATIENCE, PRUDENCE AND PRODUCTS
The good news is, baby skin is essentially almost identical to adult skin after the first year of life. With a little patience, many baby skin problems will simply solve themselves as children grow.
Meanwhile, prudent purchases of baby-friendly, chemical-free products will go a long way towards protecting your little one’s single largest organ: the skin.

With thanks to:
Dr Mark Tang, MBBS, MMed (Int Med) MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS (Dermatology), is a Consultant Dermatologist at the The Skin Specialists & Laser Clinic, Mt Alvernia Medical Centre (www.theskinspecialists.com.sg). He was previously a Senior Consultant and Clinical Associate Professor at the National Skin Centre, where he was the Director of Research and Head of the Eczema Clinic, with extensive clinical and research work in both paediatric and adult eczema.