For the parents of toddlers, it probably seems like they have grown from a baby to a full-fledged walking, talking, and independent-minded little toddler. Of course, the patience of these parents will be tried more than before, but the rewards of getting to know their child's unique personality will all certainly be worth it.
Keeping all of this in mind, a parent will also need to pay special attention to the skin care that they give their toddlers. After all, they had to be especially diligent with their child when he or she was a baby, so in order to give their child the best start possible, it is important to carry on paying special attention to skin care, most notably during the summertime.
Being a toddler means always moving and exploring. The child has finally reached the point in their development when their motor skills and their intellectual capacity are working together. This is usually for the child's benefit, but sometimes their inquisitiveness can get them (and their skin) into trouble.
This is especially true during the summer months. It only makes sense that you should allow your child to enjoy running and playing in your backyard or at the park, but summer means an additional array of flora and fauna, among which is poison ivy. Most people are allergic to this plant the moment that they touch it, and toddlers are no exception.
Thus, what is a parent to do if their child still ends up touching poison ivy? The first thing that they should do for skin care is put an ointment on each affected area. The child should be specifically instructed not to touch or itch the area, as tempting as that might be, because it could lead to scarring. It will take patience and diligent skin care, but after a few days, the skin should be back to normal.
Toddlers are just starting to really get into walking, and as such, they will still be clumsy sometimes and trip over things. This can result in cuts and bruises. The bruises are generally best left alone after initially applying some ice to calm the swelling. However, in the case of cuts, more work will need to be done to prevent infection. First, using a clean wash cloth, wash the area with warm, soapy water. Pat it dry, and then apply some ointment. Cover the entire thing with a band aid.
Of course, the summertime means going to the beach, which in turn means being out in the sun. Let's face it, unless a person happened to live in a cave or stayed indoors with their windows tightly covered, no one can truly avoid the sun. Actually, getting a little bit of sun is good, because everyone needs Vitamin D. In fact, the lack of Vitamin D in children can lead to such problems as rickets. Just the same, though, a little sunscreen (preferably with an SPF of 30 or above) is important to apply every few hours, and goes a long way!
