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How to protect the skin of children and adolescents from the use of hydroalcoholic gels and masks

2020-10-15T00:45:53.223Z


In recent weeks, consultations for dermatitis, irritations and acne have multiplied. Even more so in minors who already have dry and atopic skin


It is indisputable that the hygiene measures taken against covid-19 are essential.

But it is also true that, in some cases, hand washing, the use of hydroalcoholic gels and a mask are causing some skin problems in children and adolescents.

Dermatologists are seeing more cases of dermatitis in children and conditions such as acne in adolescents in office than in the months before the pandemic.

Actually, it is within the predictable if we take into account hydroalcoholic gels have an alcoholic base that dries the skin.

But also, as Raúl de Lucas, coordinator of the Pediatric Dermatology Group of the AEDV (Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology) says: "Sometimes they also contain other substances such as perfumes, which can cause irritation and dryness on the skin of the hands" .

Hence, children complain of itching and irritation.

Since this is not why you should not lower your guard against the disease, it is important to take some precautionary measures before and after the use of hydroalcoholic gels and masks.

To begin with, keep in mind that these gels can often be replaced by hand washing with soap and water.

Although here too you have to know how to choose.

“Soaps with high pH, ​​especially alkaline ones, can alter the hydrolipidic layer on the surface, that is, the

greasy

we have on the skin and that protects us from irritations;

and that will make the skin more sensitive ”, affirms the AEDV dermatologist.

More information

  • Creativity and imagination to turn the use of masks into child's play

  • Seven questions and answers about the use of the mask in children at school

On the other hand, it is important to do a good drying, says De Lucas: “It is very common for children to dry only the palm, which causes moisture or even traces of detergent to accumulate on the back of the hands or between the fingers, that causes inflammation in the skin ”.

What if there is no water?

Clearly, the soap and water option is not applicable to all situations.

It is not in the park, or on public transport or if the child falls on the street.

In this case, it is necessary to resort to hydroalcoholic gels.

It is recommended to choose those that do not contain perfumes, "to minimize the risk of photosensitivity reactions that can occur more easily with the presence of some aromas and essences."

Come on, no matter how funny it is to the kids, you have to forget about those that smell like jelly beans or candy, or leave them only for special occasions.

But, in addition, it is necessary to make a “reasonable and prudent use of these products.

We see that there are people who use them as if they were moisturizers.

We recommend using them a maximum of 10 times a day, ”says De Lucas.

For this dermatologist, it is more useful to insist that they do not put their hand to their mouth or nose and that they do not suck their fingers, than constant hand washing.

Everything seems to indicate that the key is to reach a balance between security and obsession.

But also in repairing.

That is, keep children's hands hydrated, but again without going overboard.

“Any infant body cream is suitable to put on their hands.

It does not have to be a specific cream ”.

And it is not recommended that it be done more than twice a day.

Acne strikes hard

On the other hand, we find that adolescents are being victims of one of their worst enemies: acne.

These characteristic skin eruptions are being encouraged due to the use of masks and their corresponding “increase in humidity linked to the water vapor that is generated by exhaling air for hours”, which favors germs to produce inflammation of the sebaceous glands and occlusion of the pores, "much more frequent among those young people who already have this problem," says De Lucas.

You have to think that we are talking about an age group conducive to these uncomfortable and unsightly pimples.

“The filters of some masks, such as surgical ones, can release traces of formaldehyde and bronopol, which are a type of preservative that can cause redness and irritation.

We are really using something strange many hours a day.

The consequence of all this is that it can produce a change in the skin bacterial flora ”, comments the dermatologist.

In fact, "it can also lead to the worsening of other dermatological problems such as rosacea, pressure urticaria, contact or friction dermatitis."

To avoid this as much as possible, De Lucas advises not to use makeup and to keep the face clean by using warm water and mild non-soap and fragrance-free cleansers;

and keep the face hydrated.

Even more so "if the adolescent has oily skin and prone to acne, in which case it is convenient to bet on a specific moisturizer for this type of acne skin."

And in case acne persists and increases, “we will have to put a treatment according to the type of acne that we see.

They are usually very comfortable because they are used at night, so it does not interfere with the use of masks during the day ”, concludes the dermatologist.

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Source: elparis

All news articles on 2020-10-15

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