Winter gives way to spring, and the earth warms up. Spring is a season of rejuvenation and also a period of climate transition. With pollen and willow fluff dancing in the air, coupled with exposure to ultraviolet rays, many people are prone to skin problems at this time.
Children have delicate skin and are more prone to itching.
Spring sees children more likely to experience symptoms such as itchy skin. Besides seasonal factors, this is closely related to the special characteristics of children's skin.
Compared to adults, children's skin is finer and more tender, with less developed keratin layers, fewer skin lipids, poorer resistance to dryness, and a higher likelihood of further damage from scratching. Children also produce less melanin, making their pigment layer thinner and more susceptible to UV damage. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, spring is characterized by wind, and children's bodies are delicate, making their skin more vulnerable to invasion by wind pathogens. Therefore, the incidence of itchy skin is higher in children than in adults.
Therefore, in spring, children's delicate skin can easily become uncomfortable, with the most typical symptom being itching.
If this situation is not actively managed, it may lead to secondary skin infections. Due to incomplete development of connective tissue and subcutaneous fat, children's skin has poor resistance to external stimuli, making it easy to be injured and infected. Excessive scratching can easily damage the skin, increasing the chance of bacterial invasion.
Of course, for babies aged 0-6 years old, itching often causes crying and restlessness, affecting sleep. Children over 6 years old, despite having some self-control, still struggle to sleep due to unbearable itching, leading to irritability. Itching resulting in poor sleep quality inevitably affects normal daily life. Scratching and fidgeting makes it difficult for children to concentrate on completing school tasks on time, prolonging study time and causing anxiety, irritability, frustration, and other negative emotions.
Common Diseases Causing Itching in Children
Pristine pruritus mainly refers to a skin condition without obvious primary skin lesions but where the child experiences itching. Clinically characterized by intermittent itching, scratching leads to visible secondary damages such as scratch marks, blood scabs, and pigmentation. According to traditional Chinese medicine, children's skin pruritus is mostly caused by external pathogens, primarily wind pathogens.
Hives
Hives are an allergic disease primarily manifested by wheals. They are known as “wind rash patches” because they appear like small sesame seeds or beans, or large blocks, and develop upon exposure to wind. In spring, when everything revives, the air is filled with allergens. Some children with an allergic constitution who come into contact with these substances may develop facial or generalized hives, which are difficult to bear and can even cause chest tightness, shortness of breath, and asthma in severe cases.
Pollen Allergy
Children with a specific constitution may develop allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and pollen dermatitis after inhaling allergenic pollen. Pollen dermatitis can manifest as hives, eczema, and angioedema.
Spring Eruption in Adolescents
Also known as auricular spring eruption, this condition occurs during early spring. The cause is unknown, but exposure to ultraviolet light may be a primary factor. The main affected population is boys aged 5-12 years, with girls less commonly affected since their ears are often covered by hair. Children with lighter skin tones have a higher incidence. The condition is characterized by itching in the ear area, redness of the earlobe, and within 12-24 hours, clustered dark red edematous papules appear, followed by vesicles and crusts, with possible secondary infection. Severe cases can involve the earlobe, antihelix, and concha, with swollen cervical lymph nodes. A few children experience recurrent episodes each spring.
Photosensitive Dermatosis
Photosensitive dermatosis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to light exposure, with a clear seasonal pattern, generally worsening in spring and summer and improving or disappearing in autumn and winter. The condition is characterized by clusters of itchy rashes appearing after sun exposure, with a latency period of 2 hours to 5 days. These rashes can appear on any exposed part of the skin, frequently on the face, especially the cheeks, nose bridge, forehead, lateral neck, posterior neck, back of hands, and extensor surfaces of the upper limbs. There are various types of rashes, commonly small papules and vesicopapules, which can later develop into eczematous and lichenified changes.
Acupoint Massage Techniques
Traditional Chinese medicine acupoint massage can effectively manage itchy skin in children. Here are two recommended methods that parents can perform at home, very conveniently.
Press and Rub the Hundred Insects Nest Acupoint
Use the thumb pad to press and rub the Hundred Insects Nest acupoints (located on the inner thigh, 3 cun above the inner end of the patellar ligament when the knee is flexed) on both sides, clockwise and counterclockwise for about 3 minutes each.
Large Intestine 11 (LI11) Combined with Blood Sea Acupoint
Use the thumb pad to press and rub the Large Intestine 11 (LI11) acupoints (located on the lateral side of the elbow, midway between the radial fossa and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus) and the Blood Sea acupoints (located on the anterior medial aspect of the thigh, 2 cun above the inner end of the patellar ligament, at the bulge of the medial thigh muscle) on both sides, clockwise and counterclockwise for about 3 minutes each.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Parents can better prevent and alleviate their child's itchy skin by paying attention to dietary habits and lifestyle routines.
In terms of diet, it is recommended to consume foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin E. Vitamin A regulates the metabolism of the skin's epidermis and keratin layer, helping to relieve dry and itchy skin. Foods rich in vitamin A include animal liver, poultry eggs, cod liver oil, etc. Vitamin E protects the skin from UV rays and pollutants, reduces scar formation and pigmentation, and promotes skin repair. Foods rich in vitamin E include pea oil, sunflower seed oil, sesame oil, egg yolks, walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, endive leaves, lean meat, dairy products, etc.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs govern the skin and hair. Eating nourishing and moistening lung foods can moisturize the skin and relieve dryness, such as honey, pears, water chestnuts, sugarcane, white radish, lily, yam, etc. Also, sugar intake should be controlled, as excessive sugar can stimulate the skin and cause itching. Spicy and stimulating foods should be consumed in moderation, and snack intake should be limited, as some snack additives can cause allergies and trigger skin itching.
When bathing, a water temperature of 37-40°C is ideal, and the bathing time should not exceed 15 minutes. It is recommended to bathe 2-3 times per week, with targeted cleaning of the armpits, hands and feet, and genital areas on other days. Excessively high water temperatures and prolonged bathing times can excessively remove protective oils from the surface of children's skin, disrupting the natural skin barrier and increasing the risk of skin diseases. Therefore, frequent baths are not always beneficial. After bathing, proper moisturizing is important. Choose bath products specifically designed for children or moisturizers with a high content of natural ingredients, good moisturizing effects, and positive reviews.
In terms of clothing, choose loose, soft cotton garments and avoid wearing wool, nylon, and synthetic materials directly against the skin. When going out, wear a sun hat or use a sun umbrella, and try to avoid going out during periods of strong sunlight.
Additionally, allergies are one of the key triggers of itchy skin in children. For children with severe and recurrent itching, it is recommended to undergo allergy testing at a reputable medical institution to help target preventive measures.