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Premature babies are more prone to experiencing health and immunity complications.
Every baby who is born early can face different difficulties, ranging from jaundice or anemia, to issues with breathing and respiration, to trouble with temperature regulation, to problems with hearing or vision, to developmental delays or learning disabilities, and more.
Some of the lesser-known issues they may face as a result of being born preterm include having sensitive skin or even eczema. This is because their skin system isn't always completely finished developing before they're born.
The skinny on skin
When babies are growing in the womb, their skin develops at different stages of gestation.
When babies are born preterm (from 32 to 37 weeks along), very preterm (28 to 32 weeks along), or extremely preterm / with an ultra-low birthweight (before 28 weeks along and / or with a birth weight lower than 1,000 grams), complications can arise.
Babies who are born premature can have a compromised skin barrier with very fragile and translucent skin, which is why some preemies born before 34 weeks' gestation tend to have a red appearance when they're first born; their skin is so underdeveloped and thin at that point that the underlying blood vessels are visible.
According to the dermatology site DermNet, which houses a comprehensive database of skin conditions, the function of skin is to form "a barrier against water loss and irritants, controlling the absorption of substances, temperature regulation, electrolyte regulation, tactile sensation, protection from mechanical trauma, infection control, and immunity."
A newborn's gestational age at birth will determine the quality of their skin, the site says, going on to explain that "the epidermis develops from a single layer of cells to three layers by 11 weeks' gestation, and to 4 to 5 layers by 23 weeks'.
"The stratum corneum layer of the epidermis (the outermost, protective layer of skin that is crucial for maintaining skin health and integrity because it acts as a barrier against external factors and dehydration) begins to develop at 15 weeks' gestation and forms a functional barrier at 34 weeks' gestation. Compared to a baby born at term, the epidermis of a preterm infant has fewer cell layers, making it vulnerable to injury and heat loss, and with increased permeability to exogenous materials, fluids, and electrolytes."
This means that compared to full-term infants, and even full-grown adults, premature babies have less structural protein connecting their dermis (the connective tissue layer that sits between their skin and their subcutaneous tissue) to their epidermis (the outer layer of skin).
As a result, collagen fibres are small and elasticity is sparse and immature, leaving preemies "susceptible to skin injuries, including those caused by medical adhesives."
I've experienced ongoing irritation from adhesives (among other skin-related ailments and dermatological nightmares), and so has one of my twins. These hypoallergenic bandages are great for avoiding irritation when you get a cut or scrape, by the way.
And both of my twins have had ongoing trouble with eczema to varying degrees since they were born.
As a mom of premature twins who have suffered from skin irritation for a few years already, and as a premature twin myself who has dealt with eczema issues my entire life, I can tell you that following the guidelines in the section below can help keep your symptoms at bay and prevent flare-ups.
As a mom of premature twins who have suffered from skin irritation for a few years already, and as a premature twin myself who has dealt with eczema issues my entire life, I can tell you that following the guidelines in the section below can help keep your symptoms at bay and prevent flare-ups.
For the most part.
Some things, like dry air conditions, aren't always in your control, and sometimes, the condition is more advanced and requires medical intervention.
If you suspect either of your babies is experiencing eczema symptoms, consult with your family physician or ask for a referral to a dermatologist for an official diagnosis and treatment options, which may include topical steroids or other medications that can provide relief. Discussing these concerns with their doctor can also help rule out any potential allergies that could be causing the irritation.
So, what exactly is eczema?
Eczema is a medical condition that causes patches of skin to become rough and inflamed and can cover just a small area on the skin or the entire body. The inflammation can cause irritation that leads to redness, a rash, or blisters forming. In turn, this can lead to itching and bleeding. Long-term cases of eczema can result in thickened skin.
According to the Mayo Clinic, "atopic dermatitis (or eczema) is common in young children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare sometimes. It can be irritating but it's not contagious. People with atopic dermatitis are at risk of developing food allergies, hay fever, and asthma."
Premature babies with sensitive skin can develop eczema, leading to ultra-sensitive skin that a) loses moisture easily (so, helping their skin to retain moisture is crucial), and b) is more prone to irritants (like clothing made from synthetic fibers) and allergens (like dust, pet dander, or pollen), which can trigger eczema and cause flare-ups on areas like the cheeks, chin, neck, wrists, or knees.
Three ways to show eczema who's boss
While you can't control how early you're born or whether you develop skin issues such as eczema, you CAN take precautions that can help minimize how much this condition disrupts your life.
Here are three simple tips for keeping your kiddos' eczema irritation at bay.
1. Use warm water, not hot, for bathing
Hot water dries out the skin, stripping away its natural oils and weakening the skin barrier. This can trigger an eczema flare-up, leading to inflammation, itching, and redness.
Hot water also increases your skin temperature, which can, in itself, trigger eczema symptoms, so keeping a shower or bath to 15 minutes or less is ideal. This isn't always easy with twin toddlers who want to splash around and keep having fun.
This is why it's important to draw a warm bath instead of one with piping hot water if your little ones have eczema or deal with irritated skin.
2. Avoid products that may irritate sensitive skin
Using gentle products that can help the skin retain moisture is key.
Laundry detergent, hand soap, shampoo, body wash, and bubble bath formulas tend to have harsh fragrances that can trigger eczema flare-ups and cause itching and inflammation.
Even subtle scents used in lotions and even baby wipes can set symptoms in motion.
As boring as it may be, unscented products for anything that will be touching your skin are best. And when you're a baby, what touches your skin an awful lot? Baby wipes.
These wipes are formulated to be gentle on ultra-sensitive skin, which can make a big difference when they're in direct contact with your babies' skin multiple times a day.
Another place your kiddos will spent a fair amount of time is in the bath, and that can be a hard place to avoid scented products, so paying attention to which products are hypoallergenic can help keep skin irritation to a minimum.
TwinsyTwins Shop
Mr. Bubble Extra Gentle Bubble Bath
Extra Gentle on Extra Sensitive Skin
This is a 36-ounce bottle of Mr. Bubble Extra Gentle Bubble Bath. It's a hypoallergenic bubble bath that's specially formulated with aloe to soothe dry skin. Tested by pediatricians and dermatologists, this bubble bath is fragrance-free, dye-free, tear-free, and paraben-free. This means it's soothing on sensitive skin, so even those with pesky eczema issues can still enjoy all the fun that comes with sudsing around in a tub filled with ginormous bubbles.
TwinsyTwins Shop
Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Liquid Laundry Detergent
Hypoallergenic Ultra-Gentle Detergent
This is a two-pack of Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Liquid Laundry Detergent. It's a hypoallergenic baby laundry detergent that is formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin. It's pediatrician-recommended and is designed to work with high-efficiency (HE) washing machines, so it'll work with both top-loading and front-loading washers. Each container of detergent holds 50 fluid ounces to wash 32 loads of laundry. This laundry soap is also available in a Stage 2 formula, which is made for active babies.
Beyond bathing or laundry washing, it's important to keep gentle products in mind when you think about what you bring into your home. Synthetic fibers can exacerbate eczema, so try to make a conscious effort to use cotton bedding and clothing in order to keep symptoms under control. Keep in mind that loose-fitting clothing can be less irritating to skin than tighter-fitting clothing.
3. Moisturize your skin often
Dry air can irritate the skin barrier if you have sensitive skin, so moisturizing regularly (in the morning and at night) can relieve itching and prevent eczema flare-ups.
The National Eczema Association says bathing or showering can result in an increased water loss from the skin and that moisturizing after bathing helps retain moisture in the skin and prevent water loss by strengthening the skin barrier.
The site goes on to say that a strong skin barrier helps repel allergens and irritants (which can cause eczema symptoms to worsen) and can help relieve dry, itchy skin—two of the most common eczema symptoms.
With all of this in mind, it's incredibly important to remember to moisturize immediately after a bath or shower.
The rule of thumb is to apply a moisturizing lotion within three minutes of getting out of the water.
The rule of thumb is to apply a moisturizing lotion within three minutes of getting out of the water.
It needs to be the first thing you do after you (very gently) dry off, softly patting the skin dry (don't hastily rub a towel all over—that will just irritate the skin further).
You may be asking yourself, "What's with the rush? Why does it have to be within three minutes?"
This is because when your skin is wet, it's more receptive to absorbing a moisturizer. Applying it expediently helps prevent the skin from drying out and can help soothe and reduce inflammation.
Additionally, moisturizing can help maintain the skin's natural pH, which contributes to its overall health and ability to resist infection.
When picking which lotion to moisturize with, remember to avoid scented products that can irritate the skin. And keep consistency in mind. You want a thick and creamy lotion that will lock in moisture.
We really like this baby lotion by CeraVe.
It's not greasy, it has no parabens, perfumes, nor dyes, and it moisturizes the skin to help maintain the protective skin barrier.
TwinsyTwins Shop
CeraVe Baby Lotion
Incredibly Hydrating Skin Care
This is a 473-ml bottle of CeraVe Baby Lotion. It's a hydrating moisturizer that is gentle on your little one's skin and does a great job of keeping things as smooth as, well, a baby's bottom.
I find it helps keep things giggly (read: non-squirmy) if you announce which body part you're lotioning, whether it's their nose, their arms, their belly, their legs, or their toes. Plus, repetition can help them learn the different parts of their body.
Strengthen the skin's natural defenses
The short of it is that eczema can be a real pain in the butt (not literally…it tends to target the cheeks, chin, neck, wrists, or knees, but it can also aggravate other areas of the body).
Premature babies are often born with an underdeveloped skin barrier, which leaves them more susceptible to having sensitive skin and experiencing issues like the redness, inflammation, itchiness, and dryness that accompany eczema.
But if you follow the above guidelines, you can combat most of the frustrating symptoms before they become a problem and keep your little one's skin irritation to a minimum.
Do you or your babies have trouble with eczema? How do you deal with the symptoms? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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