Step 1: Cleanse the skin

Sure, a typical kid's room is rarely spotless, but their skin shouldn’t be the same. Good head-to-toe hygiene is crucial in maintaining healthy skin. And all you need to do is focus on the basics.

Young children’s skin might still be sensitive, so avoid harsh, drying soaps or heavily scented cleansers. These could dry out or irritate the skin. That being said, stock up on cleansers with enough power to wash away dirt, grime or anything else your little one gets into!

• Face. For gentle, soap-free cleansing from head to toe, try Mustela Stelatopia Cream Cleanser. This creamy, fragrance-free formula foams up to cleanse and soften skin. It’s even safe for kids with sensitive skin or eczema.
• Hands. At the sink, teach youngsters to lather up and scrub thoroughly. At least 15 seconds is ideal to scrub away dirt and grime and kill germs (that’s about as long as it takes to sing one verse of “Happy Birthday”). Then, make sure they rinse their hands thoroughly with warm water. Frequent hand washing helps to eliminate germs, reducing your child’s chances of getting sick.
• Body. Baths are for little and big kids, too. Evening baths wash away the day’s dirt and grime. And they can become a relaxing way to unwind before bed. Do your kids love bubbles and suds in the tub? Then check out Mustela Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath, an ultra-gentle, smooth formula that doesn’t sting the eyes.

Step 2: Treat bruises, cuts and scrapes

Given children’s natural curiosity and willingness to try just about anything, bumps and bruises are probably a prevalent part of your child's life. In fact, according to a study in Pediatrics, 76.6 percent of 1,467 children had “at least one recent skin injury." Seventeen percent had five or greater, and the same results were seen in boys and girls.

Not surprisingly, skin injuries are most common during summer months when kids are outside playing. Plus, summer clothing like T-shirts and shorts expose knees and elbows, increasing the risk for skin injury.

When the inevitable cut or bruise shows up, the key is to keep the injured area clean and bacteria-free. Here’s how:

• First, use an antibacterial product. Try Brave Soldier First Defense Antibacterial Spray, a sting-free formula that kills germs and promotes healing. Keep a bottle in your purse or car for playground trips, and one in the medicine cabinet for at-home care.
• Follow up with Brave Soldier Antiseptic Healing Ointment, ensuring that “ouchies” are properly moisturized so they can heal.

Step 3: Soothe itchiness and irritation

Many factors can lead to itchy skin or allergic reactions in children. These are common culprits and how to combat them:

• Poisonous plants. Children like to explore, and unfortunately, their adventures can take them through patches of poison ivy, oak or sumac. When the skin comes into contact with urushiol, (the oil from these plants that causes the allergic reaction), symptoms such as redness, hives, swelling, itchiness or blisters may appear. So what can you do?

  • Seek emergency medical treatment for severe allergic reactions, facial swelling or difficulty breathing.
  • Wash the infected area with soap and water.
  • Throw your child’s clothes in the laundry (and anything else he or she might have touched).
  • Give kids a warm oatmeal bath to relieve itching.
  • Follow up with calamine lotion, a top-notch, traditional remedy.
  • Apply Peter Thomas Roth Aloe Cort Cream to calm and soothe skin. For details on poison ivy, continue reading here.
• Bug bites. A plethora of pests can wreak havoc on skin, including: mosquitoes, tics, spiders, bees and hornets. Bites and stings typically show up as red, swollen bumps that are itchy, sore or painful. Stings from bees or hornets require specific care: the stinger must be removed before applying other treatments. Parents magazine recommends the following:

  • Scrape the stinger off with a credit card or thumbnail, rather than using tweezers, which could accidentally squeeze more venom into the skin.
  • Remove a tic and save it in alcohol so it can be tested for Lyme disease.
  • Keep bites and stings clean using soap and water.
  • Apply ice packs to relieve pain and soreness.
  • Try a natural approach. Applying ingredients like witch hazel, lavender and tea tree oil to bites can ease itching.

Step 4: Practice sun safety

You might think that sunburns are just a normal part of being a kid — no big deal. But sun exposure in children is dangerous, and can result in skin damage, discoloration or even cancer. In fact, “Several severe sunburns in a child younger than age 18 doubles the risk of melanoma later in life,” according to WebMD. Take steps now to prevent future damage. Follow these safety tips:

• Use broad spectrum sunscreen, such as Total Block C.O.T.Z SPF 58, on children over six months old. Reapply after every two hours or sooner after swimming or sweating. Be sure to cover all exposed areas, including feet and ears!
• Stay inside during midday hours — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — to avoid the sun at its strongest. If kids are outside during that time, in addition to sunscreen, make sure they’re wearing protective hats and clothing and sunglasses. Also, seek the shade from umbrellas or canopies.
• If your child does get a sunburn, treat it with a cool bath, moisturizing cream or aloe vera gel, like Ole Henriksen All Purpose Aloe Vera Gel. Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve pain, notes KidsHealth, but aspirin is inappropriate for children and teens.
• Take your child to the emergency room immediately if his or her sunburn is accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fainting. These symptoms could mean heat exhaustion, heat stroke or dehydration — all of which are serious.

See also:

Eczema

Warts

Heat Rash

Vitamin C

A Parent's Guide to Birthmarks