Need Help! My Son Has Alligator Skin.

Updated on July 10, 2009
K.D. asks from Lake Zurich, IL
23 answers

My newborn has the driest skin I have ever seen. Lotion does not seem to make a dent in helping. He is peeling skin ALL over except his face and scalp. His hands, arms, and torso are the worst. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

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So What Happened?

Well, I had to take my son to the Dr. for what turned out to be a blocked tear duct, but I did ask about the dry skin. He told me to use Aquaphore only. So when I got home I put it on and his skin naturally sloughed off right in my hands as I was rubbing this in. His skin the next morning was almost perfect!! It is amazing that this product worked instantaneously when lotion did absolutely nothing.
Thanks for all the help!

Featured Answers

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C.H.

answers from Chicago on

I had some allergic reaction to something I ate and no matter what I tried, my lips would continue to crack and split. My doctor recommended a prodcut by Eucerin called Aquaphor and it comes in 3 oz tubes.

Since using that, my lips have finally healed. It's now the only thing I use. It's main use (I've since been told is for butt rashes).

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V.T.

answers from Chicago on

Hi K.,

You can use some vaseline or some olive oil. When my sister was ill, her skin was scalely and I gave her some olive oil to use. The dry skin started to peel awasy and the smooth skin appeared. I have to say that I have had the oil for years and it was blessed by my then pastor.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

I have tried several companies-Melaleuca,shacklee,Mary Kay is,sorry,but worse then these 2,if you want best natural....,busy bee produckts,petroleum blocks your skin from breathing-dont use vaseline,eucerine=petroleum products. Every baby is different,you have to find what will work for you. I can tell you best I know is Mannatech products-absolutly natural,amazing resoltes,180 day money back guaranteed.You have to choose.All best to you.M.

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S.R.

answers from Chicago on

I have some Arbonne Baby Care (ABC) Skin Oil, Baby Wash BabY Lotion and that should help a ton.
Let me know if yo want to try it out.
I live in Deerfield
Shelly
c-###-###-####

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S.X.

answers from Chicago on

another thing to think about, i forget what age... but its normal for the little babies to have a light peeling looking skin that comes off all over. If its DRY perhaps you can get a humidifier for your house/room and dry alveeno. Most lotions have wax and won't help.

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

I would call his doctor to ask, especially if he is a preemie. But, I used Aquaphor on my son for his dry skin when he was an infant.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi K.,
I suggest Extra Emollient Night Cream by Mary Kay. It helps maintain natural moisture and replenishes hydration to very dry skin. I have several customers who swear by this product. I have used it on my daughters diaper rash and it has worked great. I have samples available if you would like to try it. I am a SAHM & Beauty Consultant in Plainfield. For more information on skin care products please visit my ____@____.com/mjones80162 or call me @ ###-###-####. Good Luck! M.

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L.L.

answers from Chicago on

have you tried aquaphor? our daughter had this problem as a baby, although not as severe as it sounds like your son does. aquaphor did the trick. available at target. otherwise, perhaps you need a doctor's prescription for something stronger. it's true, regular lotion has no effect. good luck!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

use a cream not a lotion...like Eucerin (sp?)

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P.P.

answers from Chicago on

Hi K.,
This is a totally normal condition, and it is not dry skin. All newborns lose their first layer of skin a few weeks after they're born. It takes a few more weeks for it all to go away. It's the worst on the hands and the feet. They're not dry, and it doesn't hurt them or itch them in any way. Don't put anything on it, it'll just hinder the process. Your baby is just fine.

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M.F.

answers from Chicago on

It is perfectly normal for newborns to shed skin. In fact, you should not use lotion as this slows the process.

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried Aveeno baby lotion? This seemed to help my little boy.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

Dry skin and lips can be helped by more water in the diet. Also, use a washcloth that has been dried outside of the dryer (like hung up to dry) that has a little bit of "rough" to it, of course not to rough. This is a natural occurance so please try to relax about it. Good luck with the new baby.

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

i would never use anything like Eucerin on a baby. nothing with parabens or alcohol or all those words you can't pronounce that are not natural ingredients. try baby Shikai Borage lotion. I's proven to relieve the symptoms of chronic skin problems, like eczema, cradle cap and things that are similar. see http://www.shikai.com/publications/borageChildrenSkin.htm I believe whole foods carries it and maybe Vitamin Shoppe. or you may be able to order online at Vitacost.com

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter had the same type of skin when she was born. She's almost 20yrs old now, God help me. At birth she had horrible dry skin so the hospital gave me a jar of Euricen. It worked wonders and I continued to use it until her skin cleared. It's a littel expensive but our babies are worth it. You can find it at any Walgreens or Walmart. -M.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

This is completely normal with newborns and some babies get it worse than others. Regardless of whether you use a product or not, that top layer of skin is going to peel off as it was sitting in amniotic fluid for however many months. Some babies do seem to get it worse than others, but the skin will peel, and he will be fine once that layer comes off. My newborns seems worse than my first for sure, but the areas that peeled first like the bottoms of feet are soft and beautiful like you would expect. Although you could do lotion, it will be an effort in futility until that layer of skin completely sheds off.

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M.F.

answers from Chicago on

My oldest has eczma, I also used Aquaphor, which helped alot, I also used Aveno oatmeal bath and lotions. Also, when bathing, I used a cream wash instead of a regular wash. Good luck! And congrats on a healthy baby!

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

My kids were born preemie and my 15 month old was a week late. They all had the peeling skin though my little one had it worse. No amount of lotion made it look better. The peeling was gone by the time she was 2 months. And hands, arms and feet looked the worst on all of them. It is very normal. I was told it had to do with the amniotic fluid and then loss of it.

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M.B.

answers from Chicago on

Wow thats exactly how my son was too! He was a preemie also. He had severe eczema for almost 3 years and when he was 2 he spent a summer with my parents in Tennessee and when i picked him up i was amazed at what my parents had done especially since i had taken him to several specialist with no success. BUT When I picked my son up from his summer vacation with Grandma & Grandpa his skin was gorgeous and has been ever since (he is now 5 almost 6 years old now) occasionally in the winter he has a few breakouts but nothing serious ... anyway my parents simply used cooking oil all over his entire body right after every bath. The cooking oil is called Smart Balance and it is a combination of different cooking oils canola oils, olive oil, etc.

When he returned home to Illinois I used to mix it together with baby oil so he still had that sweet baby powder smell but amazingly it worked!!! I sincerely dont recommend letting skin specialists experiment on your child with all these different medications which have side effects and steroids in them. I made that mistake and everytime the doctor tried something new it broke him out worse than before. My last straw was when my son broke out in red bumps with puss in them I simply continued to keep him lotioned and oiled him up the best i could until my parents down in the country came up with the cure (it may have been the beautiful weather down in Tennessee too, but all i know is his skin has been perfect ever since). I learned not to blame the doctors they are only human and they are just trying out new things to see what works best because each individual is different try to remember what works for one may not work for another ...we are all different and special/ unique in our own way. I HOPE & PRAY THIS WORKS FOR YOU Because I REMEMBER THE HORROR & literally being in tears as my son would scratch his legs and arms til he would bleed, by the time he was 1 years old he had cuts and scratches everywhere but he's 5 now almost 6 and has beautiful skin so I pray this works for your little angel as well. GOD BLESS! M.

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

The dry, peeling skin comes with the territory for some newborns. I will say, I used a lot of things on my little ones, but once I discovered Arbonne products I had the best results. I used the essential oil blend and the gentle wash. I agree, only wash as necessary and just a little bit. They really don't get that dirty. Also, make sure there is no fragrance or dyes in the products. I was hesitant to use an oil thinking it would be greasy. This has no mineral oil and it absorbs in to heal the skin. Many things have a lot of petroleum base and sit on top of the skin.

If you want a free sample sent to you to try it out, I would be happy to do so. Good luck. and congratulations on you new little one.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

first, did you talk to your doctor? the other thing I would suggest is to refrain from the total bathing of your baby. when our son was young, that is what the dermatologist told us. we also were told to use vaseline on his skin. made a huge difference.

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi I would suggest that you take him to a doctor as some as possible.

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R.R.

answers from Chicago on

First, watch what you are bathing him with, soap no matter how mild can dry out the skin. Newborns only need to be bathed about 2 times a week (they are not dirty). Hold off on the lotion. Many lotions hold harmful ingredients that can cause skin irritations and you will see a big one listed as alcohol right there in the ingredients. No sun screen should be used on his body just keep him lightly covered and in shade.

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