Dry, scaly cheeks

Our girls cheeks (on their face) have become dry and chapped. We have tried Johnson's lotion already. Any other suggestions?

 

Our girls cheeks (on their face) have become dry and chapped. We have tried Johnson's lotion already. Any other suggestions?

 

It's totaly normal. Our boys seem to go on a one week cycle of the scaly cheeks.

I have found that wiping them with warm water or a bath once a day and them immedietly applying some Cetephil lotion to the damp cheeks helps very fast! I found that Johnsons is way too strong for a baby that is so small. It only seems to aggravate their skin and dry it out more.

cetephil comes in a large pump style bottle and lasts a long time. I also use the cleanser when bathing them and even for their hair and it seems to prevent cradle-cap.

 

I use a thin coat of vaseline, it protects them from the drool which is the main culprit that dries out their skin.

 

Aquap[hor. I use it for butt rashes and dry skin. It works wonderfully!!

 

Keep in mind that both Vaseline and Aquaphor have petrolium in them.

 

I actually just read that dry cheeks is truly eczema. What I use for my kids' eczema is vanicream. It's non prescription, but you have to get it from behind the counter. It usually clears things up pretty quickly.

 

My DS gets eczema on his face and head. I called the pedi about it yesterday because I usually put some Aquaphor on it and it clears up but this time it wasn't really working. They said to put a small amount of hydrocortisone cream on it to jump-start the healing and then continue with a moisturizer like Aquaphor.
They said it gets bad this time of year with the cold, dry weather and dry air inside from the heat being on.

 

quote:
Originally posted by twinduckmom:
Keep in mind that both Vaseline and Aquaphor have petrolium in them.


what is bad about petrolium??

 

My DD has this and I put a layer of petroleum jelly on her cheeks. Seems to work better than lotion.

 

quote:
Originally posted by KrazyKat:
quote:
Originally posted by twinduckmom:
Keep in mind that both Vaseline and Aquaphor have petrolium in them.


what is bad about petrolium?? That's what I was wondering too!

 

I use Eucerin cream it works everytime!

 

quote:
Originally posted by Melis:
I use Eucerin cream it works everytime!


Same here! My ped suggested I apply eucerin cream after baths, so that it gets abosorbed really well, and so far it has been working great.

 

I found this:
Vaseline May Increase Yeast Infections In Babies

The topical use of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit was shown in this study to cause a tremendous increase in the risk of systemic candidiasis (yeast infections). This association was discovered when a Houston hospital noticed an increase in the incidence of this problem shortly after they instituted a change in their standard protocol for skin treatment in extremely low birth weight infants. Researchers found that the risk of candidiasis was increased by a factor of 11 (eleven). The average age of the infants when diagnosed with candidiasis was 21.5 days old. Following the findings, the hospital discontinued it's use of petroleum jelly and the incidence of candidiasis returned back to normal levels.

Pediatrics 2000; 105: 1041-1045

COMMENT: Vaseline (petroleum jelly or petrolatum) is derived from petroleum and may contain many impurities. The skin, being the body's largest organ, will absorb some of these toxic substances. You do NOT want to put this substance on you or your child's body

 

Wow, I never knew that! Thanks for the info!

 

I like Aveeno with the green label. Even the Walmart knock off works as well. WHen they were smaller sometimes I used a stick, I think it was Gerber. It was like the sunscreen in a stick. Probably has petroleum, but worked.

 

quote:
Originally posted by KrazyKat:
quote:
Originally posted by twinduckmom:
Keep in mind that both Vaseline and Aquaphor have petrolium in them.


what is bad about petrolium??

It's bought from outside the US! Keep our dollars here!

On a side note, Lanolin might work. Not the most aesthetic of solutions, but if it's safe enough for the nipples your brand spanking new born baby nurses off of, chances are it's safe for their cheeks too. it's really sticky stuff, I find it's good for chapped lips, so HTH

 

quote:
Originally posted by Trillian:
They said it gets bad this time of year with the cold, dry weather and dry air inside from the heat being on.


My sons have eczema and after someone mentioned it to me, I started using a humidifier in the babies' room. It seems to help in addition to the topical ointments.

 

quote:
Originally posted by KrazyKat:
quote:
Originally posted by twinduckmom:
Keep in mind that both Vaseline and Aquaphor have petrolium in them.


what is bad about petrolium??

From what I have read it has some addictive qualities that cause a temporary fix...

 

My midwife suggested olive oil for any baby skin dryness. I'm also currently putting it on my dry nipples. Apparently olive oil is great for everything.

 

My doctor recommended Aquaphor & Eucerin. I've also used A & D ointment and that works, too. There's also something you can get from the pharmacy, you have to ask for it, but it is OTC. It's canlled Cutamol (sp). I have VERY sensitive skin and its the only thing that works for me. My one DD has inherited my sensitivity, poor baby.

 

I just read a qestion on this... DH used vaseline once but we use olive oil for everything since its edible... its a great hair conditioner/hot oile treatment. Just don't use extra virgin or you smeel like a salad.