A dermatologist is the medical specialist that we go to when we
have concerns about our skin. They are educated and trained to diagnose,
maintain and treat or correct any conditions that appear in this area.
Since the dermis is the first line of defense that our body has against
diseases and other sicknesses, it is understandable that we get
concerned when we find something unusual or new with it. For the most
part, adults have developed a good defense against many of the outside
factors that tend to make our outer layer break out or develop rashes.
Babies on the other hand have little or no immunity when they are born
with regards to skin infections and other diseases that occur in this
organ.
Possible Conditions
A diaper rash is one of the most
common things that can happen to the infant's dermis during its first
year. A dermatologist is usually consulted to bring it under control
since babies feel discomfort and sometimes pain when the rash becomes
too prominent. The main cause of this condition is the predictably warm
and moist atmosphere that occurs within the diaper that comes in close
contact with the infant, namely the buttocks and genital area. If the
diaper is soiled by urine, many parents do not immediately notice this
or do not change it yet thinking that the diaper is absorbent.
Although
the diaper does absorb the urine, the outer layer closest to the skin
retains some of the moisture and the elements of the urine which can
cause sensitivity. Prolonged or regular exposure to this environment can
trigger the rash. Feces should not be allowed to stay too long in
contact with the dermis in order to prevent the rash getting worse.
Changing soiled diapers often is the best thing that parents can do for
their babies.
Another condition that warrants a visit to the
dermatologist is intertrigo. This is a condition that develops in chubby
babies or in those that have plenty of creases that do not often see
the light of day or are not exposed to air. The most common areas for
these to develop are the neck and groin areas where he baby may be
sweating excessively or may have drooled on. A barrier cream made of
zinc-oxide may be recommended by the doctor to prevent the rash from
developing to a raw one.
Cradle cap is a rash that often develops in the babies' head and sometimes eyebrows. For some, it may look like a mild
case of dandruff but a dermatologist will say otherwise. Although the
cause is not known, a local remedy is to rub a little olive oil or baby
oil on the area to relieve the scalp and eyebrows of the scaly growth.
Do not let the oil come close to the eyes.
These are just a few of
the more common kinds of skin conditions that parents should be aware
of. They do not need to panic when these occur, just bring the infant to
the dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.
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