Skin peeling in newborns
Release time : 04/25/2025 09:30:01
Neonatal skin peeling is a phenomenon that occurs in every newborn. This is caused by metabolism in the newborn's body. How does neonatal skin peeling go on? Because the baby was always in a state of being soaked in amniotic fluid before birth, after birth, the skin suddenly turned dry from its original living environment, so peeling occurred.
Newborn skin peeling, how is newborn skin peeling? When a new mother sees this phenomenon, she must be worried and uneasy. But what Xiaobian wants to tell her mother is that you don't have to worry too much, because this is a normal phenomenon.
Let me give you a detailed introduction! After the baby is born, they transition from the moist environment of being immersed in amniotic fluid to a dry environment. The newborn's skin, with its vigorous metabolism, also experiences exfoliation due to the keratinization layer becoming shed.
Due to the insufficiently tight tissue between the epidermis and dermis, dehydration and peeling are common in areas such as the wrist joints, ankle joints, and the back of the body.
This is even more pronounced in preterm neonates with placental insufficiency.
If the ichthyostomatous peeling begins at birth, it is not a physiological phenomenon.
Newborn babies grow vigorously, and naturally they have more dandruff. Especially on their fingers and toes.
During the skin-shedding period, applying some lubricant to the skin can help keep it moist. This is because if a baby's skin becomes dry during this time, the shed skin may develop small cracks, posing a risk of infection.
Secondly, don't tear off your baby's molt and wait for it to fall off naturally.
The reason for skin peeling in newborns is that people of any age will have peeling, and newborns are no exception.
So what are the causes of skin peeling in newborns? In fact, this is a normal phenomenon.
The outermost layer of the newborn's skin is called the stratum corneum, which due to its incomplete development, is very thin and prone to sloughing off.
The inner layer of the skin, called the dermis, is connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane.
The newborn infants have insufficiently developed basement membranes, which are delicate and soft. This results in a looser connection between the epidermis and the dermis, thus increasing the likelihood of epidermal detachment.
Moreover, neonates are in warm amniotic fluid before birth, and after birth, they are exposed to the cold and dry air. This stimulation causes skin contraction, which also makes them more prone to peeling.
Parents only need to pay attention to the cleaning and care of newborn skin, avoid foreign infection and injury, and not be panicked.
When feeding, make sure the child's mouth is completely wrapped around the entire nipple to prevent air from entering.
When feeding with a bottle, it is important to ensure that the milk mixture is completely filled into the teat, rather than just reaching halfway. This prevents air from being sucked in.
After feeding, it is best to let the child lie on your shoulder and pat their back lightly with your hands. This allows the air inhaled during feeding to escape.
After feeding, pick up and put down the child should be gentle and have less activity.
What to do about skin peeling in newborns? Almost all newborns will experience peeling, whether it is slight dandruff or peeling like a snake. As long as the baby has no problems with diet and sleep, it is normal.
So what should I do if the newborn's skin is peeling? Most newborn newborns have varying degrees of skin peeling problems, which is related to leaving the mother's environment filled with amniotic fluid. The external environment is drier than the mother's, and peeling is also an adaptation process for newborns to the environment.
However, some peeling phenomena are caused by certain diseases, such as ichthyosis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, neonatal lupus erythematosus, etc.
Therefore, after the newborn peeling, parents should pay attention to observation and pay attention to the baby's skin care. Don't over-clean your skin and apply moisturizing skin care products to your baby immediately after cleaning.
In terms of selecting skin care products, it is recommended to try to avoid selecting ones with strong fragrance and bright colors, because the main culprit of allergies caused by skin care products is the pigments, flavors, etc. added to them.
If parents are allergic, they should be more cautious when choosing cosmetics for their baby. You can first choose a small piece of skin on your baby to try it for a few days, and then use it on a large area after there is no allergic phenomenon, or choose a medicinal makeup that is specifically used for sensitive skin. moisturizing skin care product.
Is neonatal skin peeling normal? Let's delve into this together. Newborns have relatively delicate skin, which can lead to some peeling phenomena. This condition is referred to in medical terminology as "neonatal erythema," typically due to the immature development of oil glands on newborn skin, causing dryness and roughness, leading to peeling. Additionally, neonatal skin peeling may also be caused by external environmental factors such as air dryness and over-bathing. For neonatal skin peeling, parents need not worry excessively. Generally speaking, with the growth of the baby and the gradual development of the skin, this phenomenon will gradually lessen or disappear. At the same time, parents can alleviate discomfort in their baby by following these methods: 1. Keep indoor humidity at an appropriate level, avoiding excessive dryness. You can use a humidifier or place a basin of water to increase indoor humidity. 2. Use gentle infant bath products, avoiding soaps or bath products containing irritating ingredients. 3. Pay attention to maintaining cleanliness and dryness of the baby's clothing and bedding, avoiding excessive friction and irritation. 4. If the baby exhibits symptoms such as skin redness and itching, seek medical attention promptly to ensure doctors can provide corresponding treatment suggestions based on the specific situation. In summary, while neonatal skin peeling is to some extent normal, parents should closely monitor their baby's physical condition and take appropriate care measures. If the baby's symptoms continue to worsen or accompanied by other abnormal manifestations, seek medical attention promptly.
Normally, flaking of the newborn's skin is a natural occurrence. After being immersed in a moist environment during birth, newborns transition from the wet to dry environment, and their vigorous metabolic activity does not stop at the epidermal keratinization layer, which inevitably leads to shedding of skin flakes.
Due to the insufficiently tight tissue between the epidermis and dermis in newborns, skin peeling can occur at areas such as the wrist and ankle joints, as well as the trunk.
This is more pronounced in fetuses with placental insufficiency, especially those who are overdue.
If there is fish scale peeling at birth, it is not a physiological phenomenon.
The outermost layer of a newborn's skin, known as the stratum corneum, is thin and easily shed due to its immature development.
The layer of skin that lies beneath the epidermis is called the dermis. A basement membrane connects the epidermis to the dermis.
Neonatal basement membranes are not fully developed, delicate and pliable, which leads to a less tight connection between the epidermis and the dermis. Consequently, there is an increased likelihood of epidermal detachment.
Moreover, newborns are in warm amniotic fluid before birth, but when exposed to cold and dry air after birth, their skin contracts, making it more prone to peeling.
If there is a scale-like peeling at birth, it is not a physiological phenomenon.
In this situation, you only need to pay attention to the cleansing and care of newborn skin. Be gentle and soft, avoid infection and injury from external factors, and there is no need to be worried about it.
What should I do if my newborn skin is dry? When your baby's skin becomes dry, it is useless for mothers to rush.
Just use baby skincare products scientifically to care for baby's skin, and timely supply the baby's skin with water. It can effectively solve the problem of dry baby's skin.
So, how can we address the dry skin of newborns? Gently and appropriately clean the skin: With colder winter weather, babies' activity is significantly reduced compared to summer, and their sweat and sebum secretion are not as robust. Generally, washing the face once or twice a day is sufficient. Except for activities that result in excessive sweating requiring special cleaning, it is generally appropriate to bathe the baby three to four times a week. Handwashing and facial cleansing should be done with lukewarm water. The temperature of the water should not be too high, and mothers should feel it warm before applying it to the baby's skin.
If you notice that your baby's hands and cheeks are particularly dirty, it is advisable to use some children's cleaning products.
Frequent washing of a baby is not good, especially for babies over 6 months old. This is because the hormone levels in their bodies decrease, and frequent washing can remove the protective sebum that keeps the skin moisturized. This can easily lead to dryness and symptoms such as redness and itching.
Moisturizing Skin Care: After washing the baby's face with water, it is important to promptly dry the baby's face using a soft towel.
Some times, baby spits out milk or dribbles, also need to use a clean and soft towel to wipe dry.
When wiping, do not use too much force. Use a towel to gently press and absorb the moisture.
Then don't forget to apply some moisturiser that is non-irritating and nourishing to your baby's delicate skin.
Before going out, apply some baby lotion or moisturizer to the skin that is particularly dry, such as cheeks, forehead, hands and buttocks. Do not put too much on, but make sure to apply it where you need.
Also, avoid rubbing lotion on your baby's skin just before going out. If you do that, the lotion will quickly evaporate in the cold wind and lose its moisturizing effect. The best way is to apply the lotion half an hour before leaving home. This way, the lotion can be fully absorbed by the baby's skin and some of the baby's own sebum will also be produced, which will result in the best moisturizing effect.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only and should not be used as a basis for medical diagnosis or treatment.
In the event of discomfort, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on a face-to-face medical consultation.