Hypersensitive skin in children: A specific hygiene program

Introduction:

Sensitive skin is becoming a prominent problem among adults. To our knowledge, it has never been studied in the pediatric population, and there are no specific skin care products for hypersensitive skin in children.
New hygiene products (no-rinse gel-cream for face, body, and diaper area and cleansing foam for the body and scalp) have been conditioned under a protective atmosphere, with no perfumes or preservatives. They contain lipoaminoacid, which improves ocular and cutaneous tolerance, and patented avocado sugars which help to preserve the skin by enhancing the structural organization of the epidermis as well as the antimicrobial barrier.

Materials and methods:

Two European multicenter, open-label tests involved 40 dermatologists and pediatricians in France, Spain, and Italy. During April and May 2007, they included children (maximum age, 7 yrs) with hypersensitive skin, assessed by the accompanying person (mother or father) and cutaneous problems related to their skin fragility.

After clinical examination, face and body emollients had to be used under normal conditions for 21 days and a questionnaire was sent at the end of the two studies.

Results:

Study 1: No-rinse gel-cream (preliminary results) 67 children (58% boys, 42% girls), mean age 3.1 years, with sensitive skin, have been included. Sixty percent had dry skin, 43% irritative dermatitis, 34% progressive dermatitis (including 18% atopic dermatitis) and 12% minor skin injuries.
Study 2: Cleansing foam (preliminary results) 103 children (49% boys, 51% girls), mean age 3 years, with sensitive skin, have been included. Ninety-three percent had dry skin, 52% irritative dermatitis, 55% progressive dermatosis (including 38% AD) and 20% minor skin injuries.
Results were as follows (study 1/2): tolerance, 90%/94%; adapted to sensitive skin, 85%/87%; efficacy, 88%/97%; delicate cleansing, 81%/93%; and cosmetic qualities, 80%/85%.

Conclusion:

The concept of sensitive skin is applicable to children, and specific skin care products are needed. Cleansing products must respect and protect defective skin barrier and be perfectly tolerated. For the first time, a European study has demonstrated the performances of two new cleansing gels and foams dedicated to hypersensitive skin of children.