Health Reference / Children's Health / Dry or Cracked Skin

Dry or Cracked Skin

Date Posted: February 23, 2000

DEFINITION

Dry skin is mainly caused by removing the skin's natural oils through too much bathing and soap. Dry climates make it worse, as does winter weather ("winter itch"). The problem is less common in teenagers because their oil glands are more active. Dry, rough, bumpy skin on the back of the upper arms is called keratosis pilaris Dry, pale spots on the face are called pityriasis alba. Both are complications of scrubbing dry skin with soap. The dry areas are often itchy, and this is the main symptom.

Cracked skin most commonly occurs on the soles of the feet, especially the heels and big toes (called juvenile plantar dermatosis). Deep cracks are painful and periodically bleed. The main cause is wearing wet shoes and socks or swimming a lot. Cracks can also develop on the hands in children who frequently wash dishes or suck their thumbs. The lips can become cracked (chapped) in children with a habit of licking their lips or from excessive exposure to sun or wind.

Home Care

Soap and Bathing. For children with dry skin, avoid all soaps. They take the natural oils out of the skin. Have your child bathe or shower with plain water-perhaps twice weekly. Avoid soaps, detergents, and bubble baths.

Teenagers can get by with applying soap only to the armpits, genitals, and feet. Buy a special soap for dry skin (such as Dove). Rinse well. Don't let a bar of soap float in the tub. Use no soap on itchy areas. Don't lather up (the outer arms are often affected for this reason).

Lubricating Cream for Dry Skin. Buy a large bottle of lubricating cream (special hand lotion). Apply the cream to any dry or itchy areas several times daily, especially after bathing. You will probably have to continue this throughout the winter. If the itch persists after 4 days, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (nonprescription) temporarily.

Humidifier. If your winters are dry, run a room humidifier. The presence of static electricity means your home is much too dry. During cold weather, have your child wear gloves outside to protect against the rapid evaporation of moisture from the hands.

Bath Oils. It does not make much sense to pour bath oils into the bath water; most of the oil goes down the drain. It also makes the bathtub slippery and dangerous. If you prefer a bath oil over hand lotion, apply it immediately after baths. Baby oil (mineral oil) is inexpensive and keeps the skin moisture from evaporating.

Ointments for Cracked Skin. Even deep cracks of many years' duration can be healed in about 2 weeks if they are constantly covered with an ointment (such as petroleum jelly), If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment (no prescription needed). Covering the ointment with a Band- socks, or gloves speeds recovery even more. For chapped lips, a lip balm can be applied frequently. Apply ointments 4 times a day.

Call Your Doctor

During regular hours if:

No improvement occurs whitin 2 weeks.
The cracks develop a yellow discharge (pus).
You have other concerns or questions.

Instructions for Pediatric Patients, 2nd Edition, 01999 by WB Saunders Company. Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD, pediatrician and author of Your Child's Health, Bantam Books, a book for parents.