According to Dr. Liu Xiaoyan, chief physician of dermatology at the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, children's skin is thinner, more delicate, and has weaker self-protection abilities, so it's inevitable that they will experience skin problems in the summer. Outdoor play is beneficial for both physical and intellectual development, so parents need to take extra care of their children.
German mom Daro is passionate about taking her kids outdoors and believes that being close to nature is most beneficial for a child’s growth. Compared to indoor spaces, she feels the outdoors is more hygienic because the air is fresh and circulated, reducing the chances of respiratory and contact-transmitted diseases. Additionally, sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that can disinfect. "Studies show that outdoor activities are better for a child’s physical and mental health than staying indoors."
Dr. Liu Xiaoyan says that both sand friction dermatitis and "wind lumps" are skin problems that occur more frequently during hot weather and will decrease as the weather cools.
■ Q&A
How to get sun exposure in the summer?
Q: Healthcare doctors recommend getting plenty of sunlight, which is beneficial for calcium absorption.So, should children be taken outdoors when the sun is strong in the summer?
Liu Xiaoyan: Sun exposure for calcium is often a point of conflict between dermatologists and healthcare professionals because children have less skin pigment and weaker barrier functions, making them intolerant to excessive sun, which can cause many problems.
There are other ways to supplement calcium, one is through diet, and the second is artificial calcium supplementation if there is a significant deficiency. If you want to get calcium from sunlight, then in the summer, the sunlight before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m. is suitable.
Additionally, sun exposure should not exceed half an hour, and direct sunbathing should be avoided.
Sand Friction Dermatitis
[Parent’s story] Developed small bumps on the back of the hand after playing in the sand
Father Wang Feng: I grew up playing in the mud, and now that I have a child, I also want my kid to play in the sand, thinking it helps with intellectual development. Nowadays, many playgrounds have dedicated sand piles for kids to play in, and the child really enjoys it. However, the frustrating part is that after playing in the sand, the back of the child’s hands and wrists often develop light red bumps. After going to the hospital, it was diagnosed as sand friction dermatitis.
[Symptoms] Millet-sized, light pink papules
"This season, sand friction dermatitis is relatively common, mostly occurring on the arms, also known as pediatric papular dermatitis," says Dr. Liu Xiaoyan. Children with sand friction dermatitis are mostly boys. It is common to see affected children with flesh-colored or light red papules on the back of the hands, wrists, forearms, or knees. These are about the size of a grain of rice, round, smooth, and densely clustered, with isolated rashes often scattered around the dense clusters, distributed symmetrically and accompanied by itching.
After the child repeatedly scratches, the skin becomes thickened, rough, and flaky. This change is called "sand friction dermatitis," also medically referred to as "frictional lichenoid eruption" or "pediatric papular dermatitis."
Before the onset of the condition, most affected children had a history of contact with sand or dirt, such as playing in parks or at the seaside, or having contact with rough-surfaced items like coarse carpets or mats. Additionally, playing with fish tank water, turtle water, or having wet sleeves from water play that were not promptly rolled up can also trigger it.
[Cause] Friction stimulates the skin causing a reaction
When children come into contact with rough sand and water, their skin—after soaking or sun exposure—has reduced protective capability. Further friction causes the skin to react. Dr. Liu Xiaoyan explains that sand friction dermatitis is a type of frictional lichenoid eruption, where frictional physical stimulation is the cause. Because children’s skin is too thin and delicate, it cannot tolerate physical stimuli, leading to a bodily reaction.
Additionally, it is a chronic process. During play, a child’s forearms and knees are most exposed to the outside and often face ongoing stimuli, so recovery takes longer.
[Treatment] Avoid hot water washing the affected area during medication
Sand friction dermatitis is not contagious, but it generally takes about two months to heal. After applying medication, the skin may turn red and become patchy, but it gradually turns dark red, flattens, and eventually fades. Healing leaves no scars.
Doctors will remind parents that the course of sand friction dermatitis is relatively long and requires extended medication use. They also guide parents on how to apply the medication. During treatment, avoid using soap and hot water on the affected areas. The child can still play outdoors, but time and frequency should be reduced to minimize skin friction and irritation.
[Prevention] Limit sand play to about half an hour
When children play outdoors and come into contact with rough irritants like sand, dirt, or coarse carpets and mats, it’s best to limit playtime to about half an hour. If clothing sleeves get wet, be sure to roll them up promptly.
Wind Lumps
[Parent’s story] Developed facial itching after an outing
Mother Wang Xiwei: Since the weather had been good in the past few days, I took my child to the park to play, but by evening, the child started feeling itchy on the face and couldn’t stop scratching, developing patches of red bumps.
[Symptoms] Red bumps appear on the face and neck
"Wind bumps," also known as urticaria or hives, are a relatively common skin issue during this season. The main symptoms are patches of red bumps appearing on the face and neck, mostly affecting children aged three or four.
[Causes] Alternating hot and cold temperatures can trigger urticaria
Liu Xiaoyan said that in summer, the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is quite large, and the stimulation from alternating hot and cold can easily trigger urticaria. Moreover, during rainy and overcast weather, the humid air is conducive to the growth and reproduction of various molds, which can also lead to urticaria. The condition usually improves after the rainy season ends, following the beginning of autumn.
[Care] Avoid playing with plants and eating "trigger foods"
It’s important to note that prolonged exposure to wind and sun may also trigger urticaria. If a child develops hives, they should not play in grassy or flowery areas, and the temperature changes in their living environment should not be too extreme. The diet should be light, avoiding "trigger foods" to prevent the condition from worsening.
[Treatment] Medication desensitization is possible if there’s no infection
Liu Xiaoyan said that if a child has urticaria, parents don’t need to worry too much. As long as there’s no fever or signs of infection, we can use medication for desensitization, typically for a period of 3–5 days. Parents should follow the doctor’s instructions, ensuring the full course of medication is taken. Traditional Chinese medicine that clears heat and reduces internal inflammation can also be taken concurrently to prevent the child from scratching and causing infection.