From eczema to nappy rash, baby’s skin is among the top parenting concerns

Eczema ranked the highest among concerns for parents when it came to their baby's skin.

Research carried out by WaterWipes UK and Ireland has revealed that nine in ten parents tend to worry about their baby's skin during the first 12 months of their lives. It also found that most parents bring their children to the doctor because of skin complaints. Out of 500 parents surveyed, 60% said eczema was the top skin complaint and caused parents the most worry about their newborn babies. This was followed by nappy rash at 22% and allergic reactions at 13%. Nine in ten parents said their baby experienced some kind of skin-related concern during their first year of life, with 12% worrying about a minimum of five skin issues at this time. [caption id="attachment_435280" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: Getty[/caption] Two-thirds of the parents polled admitted that they only trust their doctor to reassure them, and their reasons for presenting to the doctor were usually skin-related woes in the first 12 months of their child's life. Meanwhile, 26% said they use the internet when looking for answers and to identify any rashes or marks on their baby. However, out of those, 73% believe the internet has too many articles that contain misinformation or scare tactics about baby skin problems. Sadly, this research also highlighted that 76% of parents who are working to treat and soothe their baby's rashes for skin problems are worried that others will judge their parenting abilities. [caption id="attachment_435281" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: Getty[/caption] Of parents who had babies with a diagnosed allergic reaction to a certain food or material, 40% said they had switched their baby’s daily skincare routine to products that are more suitable for sensitive skin. The WaterWipes UK and Ireland research found that parents tend to relax more with the more children they have, as 50% admitted they worried much more about skin issues with their firstborn than any of their younger children. 21% of parents who participated in the research admitted that they feel there aren't enough resources or support for parenting their baby through its first year.

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