Question

My 10-month-old just had a very serious surgery two weeks ago, and they had him on tons of antibiotics. They took him off of them last week, and now his skin feels extremely dry. Do you know if this is from the antibiotics? Will lotion help? Or is there something stronger that I need?

Answer

Dry skin is not related to antibiotic therapy or completing treatment, but it is a common condition and its onset may have been coincidental timing. Many babies experience dry skin (also known as xerosis) for the first time when there is an acute change in the weather, such as the seasonal changes of fall and winter. This is especially an issue in areas with cold, dry winters. Here are some simple strategies you can follow to treat your son's dry skin:

1. Give him a daily, short (less than 10 minutes) bath with lukewarm water.
2. Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap or liquid cleanser.
3. Blot-dry your baby's skin after the bath, leaving some water droplets on the surface.
4. Immediately apply a thick or greasy moisturizing cream or ointment to his skin.

If you notice red patches or it seems that your baby is itchy, he may have atopic dermatitis (eczema), a common condition. If this is the case, have him evaluated by his pediatrician, who can recommend other treatments to use along with the dry-skin-care regimen outlined above.