Contents:
- Medical Video: Mayo Clinic Minute: The many benefits of petroleum jelly
- Overview of petroleum jelly
- The benefits of petroleum jelly for baby's skin
- 1. Prevent and reduce eczema
- 2. Prevent diaper rash
- 3. Treat baby wounds
- How to use petroleum jelly for baby's skin
Medical Video: Mayo Clinic Minute: The many benefits of petroleum jelly
Choosing moisturizers to treat baby's skin must be extra careful. Because baby's skin is very sensitive so it is easily irritated. Maybe you need to try using petroleum jelly to look after your baby's skin. What are the benefits of petroleum jelly for baby's skin? Consider the following review.
Overview of petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly or petrolatum is made from a mixture of mineral oil and wax, which forms semipadat substances such as jelly. Previously petroleum jelly was used to heal wounds and burns. Now petroleum jelly is packaged to hold water and moisture in the skin. For this reason, many petroleum jelly is recommended for dry skin.
The benefits of petroleum jelly for baby's skin
Petroleum jelly is not only used for teens or adults, babies can use it too. Good for maintaining the skin and also as a special skin care. Many parents choose petroleum jelly because the moisturizer does not use coloring or fragrance.
There are three benefits to using petroleum jelly for baby skin, namely:
1. Prevent and reduce eczema
Reporting from Science Daily, a study in Northwestern Medicine published in JAMA Pediatrics found that there are seven moisturizers that can prevent babies from getting eczema, one of which is petroleum jelly.
Eczema can cause itching and even infection can occur if left unchecked. Especially if the baby feels it, his sleep time is disturbed and will cry and continue to feel the itch. The leader and author of the related study, Dr. Steve Xu, a doctor in the field of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, stated that the moisturizer played a big role in making eczema patients better.
In addition, studies from Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom also recommend using this moisturizer for 6 to 8 months. The initial few weeks the risk of eczema will decrease. The use of petroleum jelly in infants with eczema, also reduces and replaces drugs for taking or injecting drugs in infants. In addition to preventing eczema, petroleum which can be a skin barrier can also reduce the risk of other health problems such as allergies to certain foods.
2. Prevent diaper rash
Diaper rash often occurs in infants, for example due to friction between the skin and diapers or contact between baby's skin that is sensitive to dirt. Symptoms are rashes on the thighs, buttocks, and genitals. Babies affected by diaper rash usually cry or sweat when the area of the rash is touched or washed.
Diaper rash can occur in infants even though parents have used and changed their diapers regularly. Therefore, precautions should be taken, for example by applying an area that is sensitive to rashes with petroleum jelly.
3. Treat baby wounds
Reporting from Healthline, a study shows that petroleum jelly is effective in maintaining skin moisture during postoperative healing. This may be very good for normal baby skin injuries, usually when the wound has dried. Make sure the baby's skin to be applied with petroleum jelly is properly cleaned. If not, other bacteria and pathogens can get trapped inside, delaying the healing process.
How to use petroleum jelly for baby's skin
Although the benefits are already known to baby's skin, parents must know how to use petroleum that is right for baby's skin. Some things that need to be considered by parents are:
- Use this moisturizer after bathing, when the baby is clean. Do not apply petroleum jelly if the baby's condition is not clean, it may cause infection due to fungi or bacteria.
- Note the use of this moisturizer in the area near the eyes. Likewise with babies with pneumonia. Consult your doctor about using this moisturizer when applied around the nose.
- Apply thin petroleum jelly, not too thick. Make sure your hands are also clean when applying this moisturizer.
