Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches you how to treat dry skin, eczema, and diaper rash in babies during winter.

How to keep a child's body moisturized in winter

Winter weather is dry, and there's less chance of sweating, so it's recommended to use a more moisturizing ointment. These ointments have a higher oil content than regular creams, providing better hydration and locking in moisture, making them suitable for dry skin. When choosing an ointment for children or those with sensitive skin, select one that is free of pigments and fragrances, hypoallergenic, suitable for infants, and professionally approved. For external use, apply to the entire body, and reapply the ointment after each diaper change and wash. In winter, avoid using excessively hot water for bathing; 38-40℃ is more suitable. Use a non-alkaline bath product whenever possible, and always moisturize after bathing.

Infant eczema and diaper rash are more severe in winter. How should they be treated?

There are many causes of eczema. Both excessively dry and humid weather can worsen it. In winter, it may worsen due to dry weather and insufficient skin hydration; wearing too many layers of clothing can also cause the baby to feel hot and sweaty when crying, leading to redness and itching of the eczema. Once eczema or diaper rash appears in a baby, parents need to pay extra attention to the frequency of diaper changes, changing diapers as soon as possible after urination. After changing diapers, wash the baby's bottom with clean water, avoiding the use of wet wipes. After washing, do not put on a diaper immediately; allow the baby to air dry before applying a moisturizing ointment or zinc oxide ointment. Never use talcum powder, as it can aggravate diaper rash. If a child spends a long time indoors, they should not wear too many clothes; 2-3 pieces are enough. Cotton should be used as much as possible to avoid direct contact between the child's skin and other materials such as wool, silk, or nylon. Laundry detergent should be mild; overly fragrant detergents may worsen a child's skin sensitivity.

Babies from birth to six months old often have dry skin in winter. I've heard that you can bathe them with honeysuckle water. Does this help?

Honeysuckle can clear heat and detoxify, and disperse wind-heat. It is also commonly used externally to wash some itchy, red, and swollen skin inflammations, such as atopic dermatitis. It helps improve itching and inhibits bacteria on the skin in children. However, if a child only has itching or dry, flaky skin without redness, honeysuckle should not be used for bathing, as it will not be very effective. Instead, parents are advised to keep their children moisturized, warm, and avoid direct exposure to cold wind.

For atopic dermatitis in children, honeysuckle can be used for external washing. The method is to add 30g of honeysuckle to 2000ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. After straining out the dregs, put the mixture into a bathtub, add water, and let it cool to a suitable temperature for the child to soak in. Alternatively, the decoction can be used alone to soak a gauze pad and apply it to the affected area for 10-15 minutes. In addition to honeysuckle, chrysanthemum can also be used for bathing. Its effects are clearing heat and detoxifying, calming the liver and extinguishing wind. It is used to relieve itchy skin and can be boiled together with honeysuckle (20g each) for external use.

However, in winter, when the weather is cold and dry, extra care should be taken to keep children warm, and a moisturizing skin cream should still be applied after applying a wet compress.

Suitable for: Children with atopic dermatitis, symptoms include itchy skin, redness, or swelling, blisters, and oozing.

Special attention should be paid to the fact that honeysuckle should not be used for external washing or internal consumption in patients with G6PD deficiency, as there is a chance of hemolytic reaction.

Will breastfeeding mothers eating nourishing foods in winter cause their babies to feel hot?

Before breastfeeding mothers take supplements, they should pay attention to their baby's condition. If the baby is healthy, developing normally, and has no skin eczema or sensitivity issues, the breastfeeding mother can use supplements in moderation. However, it is important to note that ginseng, deer antler, and red ginseng should not be used excessively, especially within 2-3 weeks postpartum, as they may lead to incomplete lochia discharge or wound inflammation in the mother. If the mother is prone to lower back pain and cold feet postpartum, she can make chicken soup containing ingredients such as codonopsis, astragalus, morinda root, and eucommia bark to replenish qi and strengthen yang, and drink it 2-3 times a week. If you notice your baby has excessive eye discharge, tossing and turning in their sleep, dry and difficult bowel movements, or skin rashes—symptoms of heatiness and discomfort—the breastfeeding mother should avoid consuming too much high-protein and overly nourishing food such as chicken soup, long-simmered soups, pork trotters with ginger, lamb stew, fish maw, and seafood. Their diet should be light and include plenty of water. To alleviate the baby's heatiness, you can give them more water or cooling teas like chrysanthemum tea or digestive teas like hawthorn and malt tea. It's best to consult a professional doctor if your baby is experiencing any discomfort.

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner Huang Jingjing: Bachelor of Chinese Medicine from Southern Medical University, Master of Public Health from the University of Hong Kong