Skincare Tips for Children During Holiday Season

Holiday season has started and children despite the chilly weather, will play their hearts out outdoors. However, in this cold climate it is difficult to keep these tots away from health problems. Experts at Loyola University Health System provided some simple tips to keep your kids healthy and fit throughout the holidays.

Cradle cap: Parents should massage the baby's scalp with mineral oil to keep prevent cradle cap characterized by flaky, dry skin. They can also loosen the flakes with a soft toothbrush.

Keratosis pilaris: This generally happens during cold weather and when the skin getss dry. This condition causes small, rough bumps on the arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks, which can be inflamed (pink or red), stated pediatric dermatologists Wendy Schumacher-Kim, DO, and Lily Uihlein, MD. Parents can also use emollients and gentle topical exfoliants that will smooth children's skin and reduce redness. They can further consult pediatricians for more proper treatment.

Eczema: This condition leads to dry, itchy and red skin. Schumacher advised that babies and children with eczema should be bathed with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. This should be followed by a thick moisturizer. The temperature should be kept balanced and parents should avoid situations where their child may sweat and overheat.

Acne: This condition generally happens in older children and is quite common affecting over 85 percent of people. According to Schumacher, acne in preteens and teens requires regular treatment for four-six weeks to see improvement. Those affected with acne are advised to wash their skin gently once or twice daily. They should refrain from touching the acne at all. This might only aggravate and will scars. "Topical prescription medications to unclog pores (topical vitamin A derivatives) are the mainstay of treatment. Oral antibiotics also may be necessary," Schumacher stated.

Follow these tips and keep your children healthy and glowing.