5 Tips for caring for premature baby skin to keep it healthy

Compared to adults, babies have more sensitive skin. Moreover, babies born prematurely. Her skin is very prone to problems. To be free from problems, how do you take care of the skin of premature babies? Come on, take a peek at some tips that can be done and what are the following skin problems for babies born prematurely.

Why should parents take care of premature baby's skin?

Quoted from a study conducted by Inten-Schmid B, the skin of premature babies is very sensitive. This condition makes their skin prone to irritation and injury. This is indeed one of the characteristics of premature babies.

Skin problems that often occur in premature babies include redness, rash, itching, and sometimes swelling. The appearance of these skin problems certainly makes the baby uncomfortable and even fussy.

That is why parents and doctors need to pay extra attention to caring for the skin of premature babies for the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Protecting the baby's skin to stay healthy means that you indirectly protect the baby from bacterial infections or cleaning agents, such as soap or shampoo.

Tips for caring for the skin of babies born prematurely

After the baby is born, nurses and the medical team will monitor the baby's skin condition regularly. After you are allowed to go home, you and your partner will fully care for the baby's skin.

This is also one way of caring for premature babies. No need to be confused, doctors or nurses will tell you how to treat premature baby skin in the following ways:

1. Bathing the baby properly and carefully

Usually, in the hospital, you will receive brief training on how to bathe a baby properly by the hospital nurses. You will also be asked to participate in the demonstration so that the application is not wrong.

While at home, babies born prematurely do not need to be bathed every day. The reason is because the baby is still not active so that he doesn't sweat much.

Also, washing your baby too often can dry out her skin.

Caring for the skin of premature babies is not just about bathing them properly. Use lukewarm bath water. Choose skin care products that are formulated for premature babies.

Avoid products that contain dyes, perfumes (fragrances), or are antibacterial.

After finishing the bath, pat the baby's body dry with a soft towel to dry it. Apply baby lotion to keep the skin moisturized. Avoid using loose powder because it can interfere with breathing.

2. Keep the cord area clean and dry

Usually, babies are allowed to go home after their umbilical cord has gradually improved. Well, your next task is to keep the skin around the umbilical cord of the premature baby dry and clean.

Check the condition of the baby's umbilical cord every time you bathe it. Make sure the use of the diaper does not put pressure on or interfere with the healing process of the umbilical cord.

Take the time to clean the umbilical cord with water and dry it with a towel. This treatment is done to prevent infection.

3. Keep the baby's nails clean

Baby nails can grow lengthwise like adult nails. This condition of long nails can injure the baby's thin skin when he scratches other parts of his body.

So that the baby's skin is not scuffed, the way to care for baby's skin that can be done is to cut its nails regularly. Your little one can also use cloth gloves to avoid scratching the skin on the nails.

4. Wash baby clothes properly

Baby's skin can be irritated by clothing. Maybe the material is rough and rubs against the skin or clothes that are not washed clean. Therefore, paying attention to how to wash baby clothes properly is one way of caring for premature baby skin.

The reason is, clothes that are not washed clean can leave residual detergent which is irritant. So, choose a cleanser that is safe for baby's skin. Use enough cleanser and rinse until the clothes are free of foam.

5. Protect your skin when you are outdoors

Sunlight is indeed good for improving baby's sleep and can be a way to care for skin health. You can hang the baby in the morning. However, avoid direct sunlight between 10 and 4 p.m.

Apply moisturizer to her skin before you take her outside. Don't forget, choose clothes that don't make it hot and hot.

When babies have to go out at night, apply a special mosquito repellent lotion for babies to prevent them from being bitten by mosquitoes.

What are the common skin problems of premature babies?

Even though you have taken good care of the skin, you also have to anticipate if there are problems with the skin of premature babies. Quoted from Phoenix Children's Hospital, premature babies have thin skin.

The sooner the baby is born, the more sensitive it is and the easier it will be for skin problems. Here are some skin problems that are common in premature babies, such as:

1. Red skin

Premature babies have a very red skin, especially those born before 34 weeks. This reddish skin problem in premature babies is caused by skin tissue that has not developed completely, so it is very sensitive.

Red skin in premature babies is normal so you can also treat it in the right way. This is not considered a very serious problem unless your baby's skin is accompanied by a sore or rash.

2. Yellow skin

Yellow skin in newborns, aka jaundice, is a common condition in premature babies. Jaundice is a temporary condition caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the blood.

Bilirubin should be excreted through the liver. However, the baby's liver is not fully developed because it is born too soon. This causes bilirubin to build up in the blood and premature babies' skin to turn yellow.

This skin problem in premature babies is diagnosed with a blood test. The treatment also depends on the severity.

Your doctor may let the condition heal on its own or recommend phototherapy. Untreated jaundice can lead to permanent developmental and physical disabilities.

3. Skin rash

Newborn skin is notoriously sensitive, but premature babies' skin may be more prone to diaper rash and needs proper care. The rash will increase when you come into contact with irritating materials, such as synthetic fibers.

Rashes in babies can also be caused by eczema or it is called atopic dermatitis. Eczema is a skin condition characterized by inflammation, redness and severe itching.

In babies, this rash most commonly appears on the cheeks, chin, neck, wrists and knees.

For many babies, eczema is a short-term skin problem. Babies with allergies may have eczema for longer throughout childhood.

Introducing solid foods too early to premature babies can increase the risk of this one skin problem.

4. Injuries to the skin

Apart from rashes, sores are also common on the skin of babies born prematurely due to scratching or rubbing very sensitive skin. What you need to watch out for are signs of infection in the wound.

Premature babies are more susceptible to infection because they have weaker immune systems. Signs of premature baby skin infection can include:

The presence of a lump
Open sores that are red in color
The wound got bigger and got worse
There is pus

If these signs begin to appear on the skin of the baby born prematurely, treat it immediately before it develops into a more serious disease. The reason is, premature babies are also more susceptible to sepsis.

This is a life-threatening complication of infection, in which bacteria spreads through the bloodstream and eats away at vital organs.

5. Itching and irritation

Itchy skin is a common skin problem in premature babies. Usually this condition will not last long, over time the itchy skin will disappear with a note if you treat the skin of premature babies properly.

So that itching and irritation on the skin of premature babies does not occur continuously, in the meantime you can make your baby more comfortable by:

Bathe your baby in warm water and an unscented soap.
Apply an ointment to get rid of the rash if it is present.
Wash clothes separately from other family members and use mild detergent.
Do not use fabric softener for your little one's clothes.
Often use a moisturizer that does not contain perfume to protect the skin from dryness.

If there are other problems with your baby's skin that were born prematurely, consult a doctor for more details.