Skin and Wound Care

Skin and wound care are very important for your child’s health and comfort. The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is the first line of defense to protect against germs. The skin also protects against injury; regulates body temperature; and senses touch, pain, and temperature.

When skin is healthy, it has a good ability to heal itself. But in children with weak immune systems, wounds can take longer to heal or cause serious infection. Skin changes can also develop as a side effect of some cancers or other medical conditions, chemotherapy, radiation, or some medicines. 

• Check the skin regularly: Watch for skin changes, such as rash, itching, color changes, bumps, or breaks in the skin.

• Talk to your child about why skin and wound care are important: Encourage your child to pay attention to their skin and speak up when they notice changes in their skin. It is not uncommon for children—teens in particular—to not speak up until they have extreme discomfort. This might be because they are embarrassed, or they think their skin problem is not a big deal. They may also try to avoid being checked in some parts of the body.

• Keep a healthy skin routine: Keep your child’s skin clean, protect skin from the sun, use a moisturizer recommended by your health care provider, and avoid chemicals or products that irritate the skin.

Talk to your care team about keeping your child’s skin healthy, and follow skin and wound care instructions.