Blog Talk: Integrated Dermatology
Posts for tag: Kids Skin
By Integrated Dermatology
July 10, 2014
As we get older, concerns about our skin become more prevalent. As children, worries about acne, wrinkles, and even certain skin diseases weren’t ever on our minds. As adults, we realize how just how important it is to care for our skin, and oftentimes, we realize we should have been taking better care of our skin long ago. Physician Assistant Kristen Hafner offers advice on how to help your child get an early start on preventative skin care.
Skin Care for Toddlers
It’s never too early to practice good hygiene. In fact, small children often have skin that is more sensitive than most adults’. Only gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and soaps should be used on toddlers. After bathing or swimming, be sure to apply non-scented lotion or other moisturizer to prevent dry skin or rashes from developing.
Summer Skin Care
In the summer especially, sun exposure can be traumatizing to your child’s skin. Practicing a strict UV ray-protection regimen will help prevent uncomfortable sunburn and even future skin diseases. Elements of this sun-protection routine include:
- Regular use of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Reapplication of sunscreen every two hours, regardless of cloud cover, and especially after swimming or strenuous physical activity
- Wearing protective clothing (long-sleeved shirt, pants, hat, sunglasses, etc.)
- Seeking shade often, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the most intense
- Using extra caution in the presence of natural elements that reflect UV rays, increasing the chances of sunburn (i.e. water, snow, sand)
Keep the Bugs Away
Summer is also a time to be on the lookout for bugs—especially the ones that bite. The most common bug bites in the Boynton Beach, FL area are from fleas, mosquitoes, wasps, and bees. Some bug bites can cause bacterial infections like impetigo. Impetigo is highly contagious, and young children are particularly susceptible to contracting it. To avoid bug bites, apply an insect repellent with permethrin or DEET (only if the concentration is less than 10% DEET, and never apply on babies younger that two months old).
Treating Your Child's Acne
The most common skin condition in the Boynton Beach area is acne. It affects children as well as adults. Unfortunately, there is no immediate cure for this pesky condition, but with the right hygiene routine and medication, many people have been able to stave off unwanted blemishes and painful pimples. At our facilities in West Palm Beach, we offer a number of treatment options to help your child get rid of their acne.
For more information about pediatric dermatology in the Boynton Beach, FL area, call (561) 964-6664 today!