Is petroleum jelly for baby's skin safe and useful?

Choosing a moisturizer to care for baby's skin should be extra careful. Because baby's skin is very sensitive so it's easy to irritate. You may want to try using petroleum jelly to protect your baby's skin. What exactly are the benefits of petroleum jelly for baby's skin? Check out the following reviews.

Overview of petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly or petrolatum is made from a mixture of mineral oil and wax, which forms a jelly-like semisolid substance. In the past, petroleum jelly was used to heal wounds and burns. Now petroleum jelly is packaged to hold water and moisture against the skin. For this reason, petroleum jelly is widely recommended for dry skin.

Benefits of petroleum jelly for baby's skin

Petroleum jelly is not only used for teenagers or adults, babies can use it too. Good for maintaining the skin and also as a special skin care. Many parents choose petroleum jelly because it doesn't use dyes or fragrances.

There are three benefits of using petroleum jelly for baby's skin, namely:

1. Prevent and reduce eczema

Reporting from Science Daily, a study in Northwestern Medicine published in JAMA Pediatrics found that there are seven moisturizers that can prevent babies from getting eczema, one of which is petroleum jelly.

Eczema can cause itching and even infection if left untreated. Especially if the baby feels it, disturbed sleep time and will cry and continue to feel the itching. Leader and author of the study, Dr Steve Xu, doctor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, stated that this moisturizer plays a big role in making eczema patients better.

In addition, studies from Japan, the United States, and the UK also suggest using this moisturizer for 6 to 8 months. The first few weeks the risk of eczema is reduced. The use of petroleum jelly in babies with eczema, also reduces and replaces oral or injectable drugs in babies. Apart from preventing eczema, petroleum, which can act as a barrier to the skin, can also reduce the risk of other health problems such as allergies to certain foods.

2. Prevent diaper rash

Diaper rash often occurs in babies, for example due to friction between the skin and the diaper or contact between the baby's sensitive skin and feces. Symptoms include a rash on the thighs, buttocks and genitals. Babies who get diaper rash usually cry or sweat a lot when the area of the rash is touched or washed.

Diaper rash can occur in babies even if parents use and change diapers regularly. Therefore, preventive measures should be taken, for example, by applying petroleum jelly to the areas sensitive to the rash.

3. Treating baby wounds

Reporting from Healthline, a study shows that petroleum jelly is effective in maintaining skin moisture during postoperative healing. This may be especially good for a common baby skin injury, usually when the wound has dried up. Make sure the baby's skin that is applied with petroleum jelly is properly cleaned. Otherwise, bacteria and other pathogens can get trapped inside, delaying the healing process.

How to use petroleum jelly for baby's skin

Although the benefits are well known for baby's skin, parents should know how to use petroleum that is right for baby's skin. Some things parents need to pay attention to are:

Use this moisturizer after bathing, when the baby is clean. Do not apply petroleum jelly if the baby is not clean, it could cause fungal or bacterial infection.
Pay attention to the use of this moisturizer in the area near the eyes. Likewise with babies with pneumonia. Consult your doctor against using this moisturizer when applied around the nose.
Apply petroleum jelly in a thin layer, not too thick. Make sure your hands are also clean when applying this moisturizer.