How to Treat Very Dry Skin in Children

Dry skin can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons. For instance, in the winter, with lower humidity in the air, the skin becomes drier. Dry skin can also be the result of using harsh soaps or misusing moisturizer, states WebMD. A child with dry skin may suffer from eczema which can manifest as dry, flaky patches of skin. If your child develops very dry skin, you can treat it at home.

Instructions

• 1

  Wash your child's clothes carefully. Choose an unscented detergent and rinse the clothes twice to remove any remaining traces of detergent, which can potentially irritate delicate skin. You can also look for a detergent made specifically for sensitive skin.

• 2

  Limit bath time. Keep your child's bathing to 10 minutes or less in warm water. Hot water, along with long showers or baths can remove oils from the skin, states the Mayo Clinic. Less oils in the skin can lead to dryness.

• 3

  Teach your child to cleanse carefully. A washcloth or sponge must be used gently on the skin. Never scrub hard. Give your child unscented soaps or cleansers to use. For very young children, just use water, states kidsgrowth.com.

• 4

  Apply the proper moisturizer at the right time. The best time to apply moisturizer is when skin is still damp from bathing. This helps seal in the moisture. Use lotions or creams with no alcohol or perfumes, such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Lubriderm, states the University of Wisconsin Health.

• 5

  Use a humidifier in your child's room. Keep it clean so mold does not develop.

• 6

  Use an ointment on extremely dry, cracked skin. Petroleum jelly is an effective ointment, according to Kidsgrowth.com. If the area seems to have a mild infection, use an antibiotic ointment.