Wellness

Summer Skincare Problems In Kids

Answered by Team ParentCircle

Dr Madhur Basude, clinical dermatologist, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune answers questions on kids' summer skincare woes.

1. My 9-year-old daughter has a runny nose and sore throat throughout the summer. What can I do to help her?

First and foremost, ensure her hygiene. Give her handkerchiefs or tissues to wipe her runny nose. Occasionally, ask her to blow her nose, and show her how to blow her nose gently. You need to talk to her about the safe disposal of used tissues. Also, encourage her to wash her hands after she blows her nose and after she touches the soiled tissue. This will help prevent the spread of infection. Some kids develop an allergic tendency known as atopic diathesis, which can sometimes be hereditary. As children grow older, atopic tendencies like runny nose, sneezing, and allergic rashes tend to reduce. For immediate relief, give symptomatic treatment after consulting your pediatrician or physician. For the sore throat, make her gargle with warm salt water. You can give her turmeric milk to drink. If she’s lactose intolerant, plain warm water can be a relieving substitute. In case of escalating cough, give her a mild cough syrup after consulting a doctor.

2. My 7-year-old son Vihaan sweats a lot, and it increases during summer. It leads to sweat rashes between his thighs and behind his knees. How can I keep the rashes away?

Excessive sweating could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency, so it’s important to get the vitamin levels checked. Also, rashes behind knees and between thighs indicate he might have atopic dermatitis (barrier-damaged sensitive skin), in which case avoid powders. Instead, use a barrier repair moisturizer after consulting a dermatologist. By and large, sweat rashes don’t appear when the areas between the thighs and behind the knees are dry, cool and clean. To prevent rashes, ensure that your son is bathing regularly and is not wearing clothes that are too tight. Apply a relieving liniment oil or cream on the areas after consulting a doctor.

3. My children, aged 13 and 7, keep getting painful blisters. They spend a lot of time playing outdoors. What’s the right way to treat blisters?

It’s important to identify where the blisters are occurring and whether any blister has burst or is infected. If a blister has burst, ensure that the fluid from it is thoroughly drained before dressing the blister with a clean, dry, and soft padding or plaster. If the blister is intact, find a moist (hydrocolloid) dressing with the help of your pharmacist. A hydrocolloid dressing may reduce pain and enhance healing. In case of infection, frequent occurrences, or extreme pain, take your kids to a general physician. Do not burst the blisters on your own.

4. My 3-year-old is very active. He doesn’t like drinking water. I force him to take a few sips of water throughout the day, but I feel it’s not enough in this hot weather. How can I keep him hydrated? 

There’s no substitute for water when it comes to hydration. You have to inculcate in your child the habit of drinking water throughout the day. This can be done by:

• leading by example (drinking water in front of your child), offering a cup of water to him after every meal
• scheduling specific times for drinking or sipping water, e.g., immediately after he wakes up or before bedtime
• encouraging him to eat water-rich fruits and vegetables (cucumbers, watermelons)
• using colorful bottles or cups to make the water look attractive
  
  

5. We live in Rajasthan, and it gets extremely hot and dry here during summers. How do I avoid sunburn and heat boils?

The simplest way to prevent sunburn is to avoid the sun when it is at its hottest—12 p.m. to 3 p.m. If you must go out, apply sunblock according to your skin requirements (you can consult your pharmacist) and reapply on body parts regularly exposed to the sun. If at home, sit in a cool airy spot or under a fan to stay dry. Heat boils can be avoided if you follow these practices. However, if they persist, ensure that you’re practicing good hygiene. You can place a warm compress on the affected area for about 10 minutes or so and repeat it to alleviate irritation.

Also Read:

Common Summer Illnesses

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