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India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Bathing dos and don'ts for babies with sensitive skin
A baby's skin is remarkably delicate, approximately 30% thinner than that of adults, making it more susceptible to moisture loss and irritation. In the summer and monsoon months, factors like heat, humidity and perspiration can further aggravate a baby's delicate skin, but for babies with sensitive skin conditions, these seasonal changes can result in increased rashes and flare-ups. Their skincare regimen needs special care and start by understanding sensitive conditions and why they need extra babies have delicate and sensitive skin, but some are born with or are prone to specific skin conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Eczema, Xerosis, and Diaper Dermatitis. We are increasingly seeing a rise in sensitive skin conditions among Indian babies, with the prevalence of AD affecting them at twice the rate of adults globally. Factors like urbanisation, pollution, and climate change, particularly rising temperatures and humidity, have contributed to the growing incidence of conditions like AD. A recent expert consensus from the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) reports that the prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Indian children has increased, ranging between 20% and 39%. Therefore, parents need to adopt science-backed skincare practices to effectively manage these Every day, we meet parents who have many concerns about how to manage these sensitive skin conditions in their babies, especially during bath time. How often should one bathe the baby? Will bathing worsen flare-ups? What cleansers to use? Should one look out for specific ingredients?Here's a comprehensive guide on the dos and don'ts of bathing babies with sensitive skin, emphasizing their comfort, health, and skin integrity. This information is provided by Dr. Karthick Annamalai, MD in Pediatrics, DAA, PGPN, PDFNIC, FAGE, a Consultant Pediatrician, Neonatologist, and specialist in Pediatric Allergy and Asthma at Coimbatore Children's Healthcare in Coimbatore.1. DON'T OVERWASH – KEEP BATH TIME ROUTINE SHORTOverbathing can strip the child's skin of its natural oils, weakening the protective barrier and increasing the risk of dryness, itching, and eczema flare-ups. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) recommends that for babies' sensitive skin, the duration of the bath should not exceed 5–10 minutes.[2]They should be bathed in lukewarm water, while avoiding hot baths, as it could further irritate the skin soaps are alkaline and can upset the skin's mildly acidic pH, resulting in further weakening of the stratum corneum. It is recommended to use a soap-free, pH-balanced, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cleanser. Such products usually have emollient-rich ingredients like glycerine, a humectant that attracts moisture into the skin, providing hydration while carefully stripping sweat, sebum, and environmental pollutants. Lack of harsh surfactants minimises the chances of dryness or irritation post-wash, which is crucial in peak heat It is recommended to use a soap-free, pH-balanced cleanser, preferably oat-based, that's gentle enough for daily use. Avoid harsh soaps or foaming agents that can disrupt the skin's microbiome.2. POST BATH, ALWAYS APPLY MOISTURISERS TO LOCK IN MOISTUREDuring bathing, the cleanser can remove the skin's natural lipids. Applying a soothing moisturiser immediately after the bath, while the skin is still slightly damp, helps seal in moisture and reinforces the skin barrier. The IAP guidelines support the use of emollients containing ceramides, lipids, n-palmitoyl ethanolamine, and natural colloidal Skip moisturising even if the skin appears fine. Preventive hydration is key to moisturising and is also important to reduce flare-ups in babies with sensitive skin conditions or those at high risk for the same.3. DO CHOOSE INGREDIENTS RICH IN COLLOIDAL OATMEALSeasonal changes with extreme summer and monsoon-related humidity bring challenges like heat, sweat, and increased sensitivity. For babies with sensitive skin, soothing ingredients such as colloidal oats can provide relief, and these natural agents help soften babies' skin and soothe inflammation, reduce itchiness and irritation, and protect the skin against environmental stressors. Further, Oat Extract works with other ingredients to moisturise the baby's Look for products that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and free from harsh chemicals like parabens, sulphates, and Use adult skincare products on babies. Their formulations are not tailored for infant skin and could do more harm than a baby with sensitive skin requires a balanced approach, gentle cleansing, thorough moisturising, and consistent protection. By keeping baths short, using appropriate cleansers and emollients, and ensuring post-bath hydration, parents can help their babies maintain healthy, comfortable skin even during the harsh weather months. Mindful choices in skincare routines can significantly reduce the impact of sensitive skin conditions, promoting a happier and healthier life.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
KARSAP: 450 pharmacy licences suspended, five cancelled
Licences of 450 pharmacies have been suspended and that of five cancelled to prevent antibiotic misuse as part of strengthening the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP), Minister for Health Veena George has said. The Minister who presided over a meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) said the government directive to medical stores to not sell antibiotics without doctors' prescription had been almost fully implemented. The use of antibiotics had not only declined by 20-30% in the State, but it had also been ensured that those in use were comparatively less dangerous. The meeting decided to intensify tests to detect antibiotic residues in milk, meat, and fish. Directions were given to reduce antibiotic levels in cattle and poultry feed. Colour coding It was decided to introduce colour coding to make all hospitals in the State antibiotic smart hospitals. All hospitals should implement the coding in three months. Directions were also given to issue guidelines for local self-government institutions (LSGIs) as part of the antibiotic literacy. The LSGIs would be colour coded according to these guidelines. It was on this basis that they would have to prepare microplans to become antiobiotic smart. Antibiotics should be dispensed in blue covers to make their identification easier. All hospitals, medical stores, and pharmacies should implement this. Steps had also been taken to make more hospitals antibiotic smart. Activities would be strengthened in the private sector with the support of organisations such as Indian Medical Association, Association of Physicians of India, and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics. Antibiotic literate The Minister said the State was aiming at becoming antibiotic literate by December. She directed that the first district-level antibiogram in the country, brought out by Ernakulam, would be brought out in other districts too in phases. nPROUD (New Program for the Removal of Unused Drugs) launched in Kozhikode for collecting unused and expired drugs and disposing of them scientifically would be expanded across the State.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Disconnected Care and Digital Overexposure Fuel India's Autism and ADHD Surge: Dr Samir Dalwai
New Delhi: In this wide-ranging and urgent conversation with ETHealthworld's Rashmi Mabiyan Kaur, Dr. Samir Dalwai , Developmental Behavioural Paediatrician and Spokesperson for the Indian Academy of Paediatrics , raises a red flag on the escalating neurodevelopmental challenges facing children in urban India, including autism , ADHD , anxiety, and a growing spectrum of subclinical behavioural issues. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Dalwai underscores the profound impact of excessive screen exposure, the critical shortfall in early diagnosis and intervention, and the disconnect between clinical care and school systems. He calls for a nationwide shift toward human-centric parenting, timely detection, and coordinated, outcome-driven support—before irreversible damage is done. You've worked with thousands of children over the past two decades. What trends have you observed in the incidence of autism, ADHD, and learning disorders among children in urban India? The trends indicate an alarmingly increasing number of children with not just autism, ADHD, and other diagnosable conditions, but also those that present as subclinical. This means their behaviour may not fit into a definitive diagnosis, but they exhibit multiple concerning indicators such as aggression, poor attention span, hyperactivity, impulsivity, poor sitting tolerance, anxiety, anger issues, poor self-esteem, self-harm, and poor emotional resilience, among others. Why is early diagnosis and intervention crucial in neurodevelopmental disorders—and where does India currently fall short? Early diagnosis and interventions are crucial to improving the child's quality of life. The brain is also very adaptable during early childhood, and early interventions can go a long way in maximising developmental potential. At the same time, equipping families with the support and resources they need can help them better understand and meet their child's needs. At present, India falls woefully short in terms of awareness, both within and external to the medical fraternity. The numbers of trained doctors and support staff are also lacking. How can we bridge the gap between clinical detection and support systems in schools and public health programs? The biggest challenge in the Indian ecosystem is that there are multiple stakeholders involved in the child's care who are not on the same page. For instance, while schools are focused on academic performance, therapy focuses on clinical improvements. The goals of Individualised Education Programmes (IEPs) and therapy are not aligned. This gap can be bridged by making the child's improvement the focus and mandating the monitoring of outcomes as per standardised guidelines or by an independent body. You've been vocal about the dangers of excessive screen time for children. What are the most serious cognitive and behavioural issues you're seeing as a result? Pervasive human interaction and nurturing care in the first few years of a child's life are essential for normal development. With screens and digital gadgets replacing these within a very short span of time, the development of children has been impacted in several ways, including delays in the development of crucial cognitive, social, and emotional skills. How do screen habits in early childhood impact brain development, emotional regulation, and attention span? Human interaction and nurturing care in the first few years of a child's life help the child's brain to develop innumerable networks. These networks are crucial for behavioural and communication skills, as well as emotional and cognitive development. Early childhood learning must comprise diverse engagements and exposure in familiar, nurturing environments, where adults help children to learn and cope with different social situations over a substantial period of time. When these interactions occur within a non-judgemental environment and with a non-intimidating approach, a child can develop social cognition. Screens replace this gradual pace of learning with intense, enrapturing, and provocative exposures that target 'fight or flight' responses. They encourage the child to seek instant gratification, develop binary thinking, and engage in impulsive actions. At the same time, increased screen time decreases the opportunities available to a child to learn and develop rational thought, tolerance, social diversity, and empathy. Children end up living in a false world, driven by instant gratification and violence, and triggered by the need to always be in their comfort zone. We are seeing increasing cases of anxiety, inattention, and the inability to communicate or get along with peers. The heightened reliance on screens means that the basic framework for normal human social existence is not being laid down. Many parents struggle with setting digital boundaries. What are the key principles of a healthy digital diet for children under 10? It is essential to focus on restricting or limiting screen time rather than aiming to eliminate it altogether, which may be a utopian and hence unattainable goal. The key principle of a healthy digital diet involves helping the child to learn the boundaries that govern their entire day—including mealtimes, playtime, study time, outdoor time, visiting/spending time with family and neighbours, etc. Setting up daily timetables that include all of these, sticking to them, and role-modelling time discipline as adults is important. Rewarding overall observance of schedules motivates the child to stick to the entire day's timetable (and unconsciously develop healthy boundaries) as a part of his/her lifestyle. Children learn that following boundaries is beneficial as it helps them do everything they like – but within reason. A common mistake that parents make is to only focus on disciplining the child with regard to his/her digital time, without placing this in the context of the child's daily routine. What are some early warning signs of digital addiction in children that parents often miss? Every child is attracted to gadgets, especially digital gadgets. As a common rule of thumb, digital gadgets should only be introduced to them after three years of age. A child can be considered addicted when (s)he cannot limit or restrict their use of screens. The earliest sign in a child is the inability to adhere to the schedule that has been established for him/her. Choosing screen time over human engagement, which can involve meeting relatives and friends, and physical playtime or outdoor time with digital time is another serious red flag. Disordered sleep is another significant indicator. Refusal to give up the device and getting into conflict with caregivers over the use of the device is a clear sign of impending addiction. Do you believe India is ready for a national policy that limits or regulates social media access for minors? It is imperative since the challenges to voluntarily regulating the use of social media are enormous. Most children today are already fairly addicted, as are their parents. Most importantly, the lack of social engagements and the gradual change in lifestyles with a growing focus on individual and solitary pursuits make such monitoring very difficult. Many businesses have a vested interest in the use of digital media by consumers. They will, thus, resist any change to the status quo. In many ways, I believe that it is already too late since many parents sincerely believe that introducing their children to digital platforms is for their own good and that becoming familiar with AI is best for their future. What reforms would you prioritize to address adolescent mental health issues, including rising cases of self-harm, depression, and aggression? All reform must be focused on reestablishing the role of human engagement in an adolescent's life. During adolescence, children deprioritise parents and stop viewing them as role models. Instead, they become more concerned with their peers. Developing an environment that drives the child towards sports, music, games, and other forms of recreation that necessitate human engagement must be considered. The only antidote for screen time is human time. Secondly, increased self-awareness and easy access to quality counselling and help for adolescents is a must.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City's Dr Khalatkar puts India on global map at Turkey summit
1 2 3 Nagpur: In a proud moment for India and Nagpur, Dr Vasant Khalatkar , president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), represented the nation at the prestigious International Critical Emergency Medicine Conference (ICEMC) and the Emergency Chapter of the Turkey Academy of Pediatrics (ETAP), held recently in Antalya, Turkey. The event was organised by the World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine (WACEM) in collaboration with ETAP. Dr Khalatkar, a leading paediatrician from Nagpur, delivered a landmark talk on 'Skin as an alarming organ in paediatric emergencies', which received widespread appreciation from international delegates. He passionately advocated for the inclusion of paediatric emergencies as a critical component in emergency medicine, a field historically dominated by adult care. His strong representation led to a historic decision: Paediatric Emergency Medicine was officially incorporated as a recognised specialty within WACEM for the first time. Nagpur: In a proud moment for India and Nagpur, Dr Vasant Khalatkar, president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), represented the nation at the prestigious International Critical Emergency Medicine Conference (ICEMC) and the Emergency Chapter of the Turkey Academy of Pediatrics (ETAP), held recently in Antalya, Turkey. The event was organised by the World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine (WACEM) in collaboration with ETAP. Dr Khalatkar, a leading paediatrician from Nagpur, delivered a landmark talk on 'Skin as an alarming organ in paediatric emergencies', which received widespread appreciation from international delegates. He passionately advocated for the inclusion of paediatric emergencies as a critical component in emergency medicine, a field historically dominated by adult care. His strong representation led to a historic decision: Paediatric Emergency Medicine was officially incorporated as a recognised specialty within WACEM for the first time.
