Keeping Infant Skin Healthy through Proper Cleansing (original) (raw)

Abstract

Keeping the skin clean is essential to the overall good health of an individual. This statement is even more relevant in the case of infants, since infant skin structure, function, and composition are still developing, underscoring the need for special care. Skin cleansing essentially means removing unwanted substances, including irritants from sources such as saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and dirt. These irritants include salts, lipolytic and proteolytic enzymes, infectious microbial species, as well as potential allergens. Keeping the diaper area clean helps prevent skin barrier breakdown and therefore rash (diaper dermatitis) and infection (candidiasis). Keeping hands clean, particularly in the case of babies with their hand-to-mouth behaviors, can help reduce or prevent oral transmission of microbial contaminants. Special attention should also be paid to the facial area, where vulnerable skin can be irritated by milk, saliva, and nasal mucosa, all of which have high pH...

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