by Eric J. Smith
The largest and one of the most important organs in the human body is the skin. Skin provides a vast range of functions. First and foremost it provides a protective, waterproof layer for the bodies internal organs.
The skin also maintains the body’s temperature. When the skin gets too cold capillaries under the skin contract, preventing the flow of blood to the skin surface. On the flip side, if a child becomes too hot, the capillaries enlarge, allowing blood flow to the skin surface. This increases heat loss and turns the skin red.
Nerve endings in your child’s skin respond to senses like warmth, pain, cold and touch. The skin responds to these stimulations, and sends information to the brain about the external environment the child is occupying.
The skin is made up of 4 basic segments:
- Epidermis – The part of the skin we see. Basically made up of dead cells with a hard protein called keratin.
- The Dermis – The thick inner layer of skin is made up of basically collagen. The dermis also consists of capillaries, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles and nerve endings.
- Hair – Hair begins its life as “vellus” (fine downy hair), covering most of the body of a baby at birth. Hair is usually not found on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. At puberty terminal hair develops around the genital area, arm pits which adds to already present terminal hair on the scalp, eye brows and eye lashes. Males will also develop more hair than women at puberty.
- Nails – Nails look nothing like hair, even though they begin life from the same epidermal cells and they only differ from skin by the thickness of the keratin..
A baby might be covered with vernix caseoasa which is a white, greasy coating that protects his or her skin in the uterus. This is washed off or can be left to disappear on its own. A young baby’s skin is about 5 – 6 times thinner than an adults.
Unless prescribed by a physician, it is not necessary to treat your child with expensive, chemical laden, commercially formulated products. Organic Skin Care products for babies are typically the best and have the lowest allergy risks.
You can also use several home remedies for treating your child’s skin:
Honey – Will help draw puss from an infected wound.
Eggs – Apply egg white to diaper rash. Apply in layers allowing each layer to dry prior to applying the next.
Cucumber – Great for cooling sunburn and minor insect stings.
Baking Soda – Can relieve itching from plant allergies and nettle rash. Make a past with a small amount of water. Apply to skin and leave for 20 – 30 minutes.
Onions – Have been known to relieve stings. Can also remove warts. Add onion juice to warts twice daily.
Epsom Salts – (Same as baking soda)
Cabbage Leaves – Use as a poultice to relieve boils, blisters and stings.
Lemon Juice – Known to be good for cold sores and wasp stings.
Tea – Good for cold sores. Using a T-Bag as a ready made compress.
About the Author:
Eric J Smith is an Organic Gardener & a Passionate Environmentalist. He is dedicated to promoting the need for a chemical free environment. Find out more on <a href=”http://http://www.milifestyle.net“Organic Skin & Personal Care Products Here – http://www.milifestyle.net
Buy the Book: Safe Natural Remedies for Babies and Children
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/momboleum/2441723257/
I find cucumbers work wonders for baby skin. I’d be careful with the baking soda–left on too long or not watered down enough can cause loss of some skin b/c its so basic that it can eat through skin.
Posted by John@Toronto Real Estate | August 18, 2008, 12:45 amEvery child needs skin care, especially in early ages. These tips are very useful, since their basis are natural products.
Posted by Beauty Blog | December 26, 2008, 4:08 amMy wife and i are expecting in June, and we’re trying to learn all of the home remedies and little tricks we can before we have our hands full in the real thing. thanks for the tips.
Posted by Matt@Tees For All | January 16, 2009, 10:50 amReading your article makes me think a little about how important the skin is, I think most of us take it for granted. The tips you give on the cucumber, baking soda, onion are great, I’m sending a link of your site to my son and daughter in law, they gave us 3 grand children. Thanks
Posted by Bob@fungustoenailtreatment | November 3, 2009, 5:07 pmHoney is regarded as one of the best treatment for wound infections of babies. You can choose organic clothes for babies which are very much hygienic for their sensitive skins.
Posted by john@Baby Pushchairs | November 11, 2009, 11:22 amBaby skin can be helped with certain creams to stay rash free.
Posted by skincare | November 18, 2009, 11:28 amWhenever you are buying home baby cares ensure that you select those that are made of herbal extracts and prove safe on the infant’s skin.
Posted by szenovera@for women only | December 6, 2009, 11:27 pmThis is something different as it doesn’t deal with anything that you apply topically: Rather, it pertains to something you do to your baby everyday. That is, drying your baby off after you give him a bath. Don’t use regular towels. The coarse surface can irritate his skin. Use extra soft baby towels and dab, don’t rub. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer on ultra low heat.
Posted by Jesse@dark circle concealers | January 1, 2010, 9:41 pmHave you ever know about chamomile, I used that for my baby, if she has a rash skin you might tried chamomile. and it works.
Posted by Donni | January 12, 2010, 9:08 amSometimes there is nothing better than a simple bath with a little bit of earl grey tea in it. It does wonders for a baby’s skin and makes them feel good too.
Posted by Kristen | January 27, 2010, 8:15 amI am the manager of a day spa in Newport beach. I want to thank you for the great tips and comments on day spa and skin care. I love this website and think every day sp manager should visit this site. great job guys.
Thanks
Posted by SkinCare | January 27, 2010, 11:33 pmWhat a great post. Full of useful information. Very nice. I will definately put this imformation to good use. Every piece of imformation is like another weapon in my arsonal against the age monster. “Tea – Good for cold sores. Using a T-Bag as a ready made compress.” Didn’t know this Thanks
Posted by Chris@Younger Looking Eyes | February 8, 2010, 12:33 pmI didn’t realize that you could use onions and other foods as products for baby’s skin! That’s good information, because most of the skin care products available are not made to be sensitive enough for young ones.
Posted by Marilyn@Skincare Products | February 9, 2010, 12:17 pmI’m going to show this article to my sister who is preparing for the labor now. She is fond of making natural cremes and masks on her own and I think she will figure our something special for her baby. Thanks!
Posted by Elena@Products for Hair Loss | March 6, 2010, 11:02 amMany many many great tips!! I have worked for a Dermatologist for years now, and thought I knew most of the natural cures for skin disorders, but your site has proved me wrong! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Lisa from joggingstrollerbike.com
Posted by Lisa from joggingstrollerbike | March 25, 2010, 9:59 amGreat tips for babies skin, it is so sensitive and needs looking after in their first few months.
Posted by Leanne @ Driving Schools Croydon | May 3, 2010, 11:58 amI blogged on this very topic myself earlier, and it was a pleasure to read your opinion on it John. – driving101
Posted by William @ Driving Schools Bromley | August 2, 2010, 7:15 amBaby’s skin is very soft and sensitive. They need gentle care for it. Well, it is good to read about the segments of skin. Also, thanks for providing some natural remedies for taking care skin of small baby.
Posted by yadu123@Colic | August 5, 2010, 1:22 amNewborn babies have a very delicate skin and immune system , its very important to keep track on things such as keeping the skin dry , clean , changing the nappy frequently and most important essence is Hygiene.
We have a 9th months old baby ,we take top care to skin the baby’s healthy.Learning is never ending process , already learned new things from this blog which would be helpful for my baby.
Posted by GNLD International UK | August 5, 2010, 9:09 amChild’s skin is very gentle and sensitive. It requires great care. Tips shared here would really work for it. Like to see more updates from you on such topic.
Thanks.
Posted by prashantsnv@Colic | August 9, 2010, 12:03 pmI have toddler, and I really need those quick remedies for wounds, bruises, insect bits, etc. My little one wanders in all corners of our house and I always have an ointment or a cream ready. Good to know there are other natural alternatives.
My mother also swears by using aloe vera leaves for minor cuts and burns. Although I’m not sure if it’s safe for children, too. But I suppose it is.
Thanks for the tips.
Posted by Irene@Organic Cloth Diapers | August 17, 2010, 9:57 pmI also love using baby skin products with lavender oil in the ingredients. Not only is it gentle and beneficial to the skin, but the aromatherapy benefits include soothing stress and help with sleep. Baby’s will smell nice, too.
Posted by Dee@Svan High Chair | August 30, 2010, 6:57 amI think its worth pointing out that if you are putting tea or other infusions onto a babies skin you must make sure it has properly cooled.
Posted by Helen@Baby Shoes | October 4, 2010, 2:43 amas baby skins are very soft so it need very special intension. thanks for nice information
Posted by johndp | October 7, 2010, 11:21 amThanks for sharing the link, but unfortunately it seems to be down… Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please answer to my post if you do!
I would appreciate if someone here at parenting.amuchbetterway.com could post it.
Thanks,
William
Posted by watch harry potter and the deathly hallows online | October 16, 2010, 9:26 amOla..I’m a super fan of baking soda –its an all around helper for me..hehehe, and for Lemons? not only cold sores, I’m using it as whitener for my elbows, knees and UA..works like magic!!
Posted by mye@Skin Rejuvenation Secret | November 17, 2010, 10:55 amI always used baby oil after my kids bath and it seemed to work well.
Posted by tim @ canker sore treatment | January 16, 2011, 4:32 pmSome parents are too much considered with the skin care of their babies but following all the natural procedures will be enough for them.
Posted by Murad | February 5, 2011, 1:50 amI had no idea you could use cucumber for insect stings, but that makes total sense. I am going to remember that the next time my toddler gets stung!
Posted by Deb@dermatology products | March 14, 2011, 1:48 pmYou should never use any kind of skin care products to your infant’s skin except for the mild bath soap, the less exposed he/she is the better. It will prevent him/her to develop allergies in an early age.
Posted by babycare | April 13, 2011, 6:23 amHello, I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.
Posted by Android development company | May 17, 2011, 12:00 amNicely written about Natural Baby Skin Care. But i think there should be some more stuff about baby skin it may be perfect
Thank you
Elizabeth Sanchez
cold sores remedies
Posted by Elizabeth Sanchez | June 16, 2011, 10:56 pmIs there anything that baking soda can’t do? Excellent post, and some great information. Thanks
Posted by Brenda | July 13, 2011, 7:07 amI gotta favorite this website it seems very useful .
Posted by andre | August 6, 2011, 2:10 amI would like to say that lemons should not be used directly to a child’s skin as it may lead to severe irritation on the child’s skin.
Posted by Debby@Make Your Skin Lighter | August 16, 2011, 3:09 amVery educational, thank you for this very sensible post. Keep it up!
Posted by Revita Derm | August 26, 2011, 1:08 amCool and awesome!!
Posted by spiriluna | August 30, 2011, 12:00 amBaby oil is the best!!
Posted by vitamins | August 30, 2011, 12:01 amHey Eric,
Gotta love baking soda! It can be used for practically anything. Thanks for the great post.
Curt
Posted by Curt@how to get lighter skin | September 21, 2011, 2:01 pm