As your child grows and looks to become more independent, it is important to teach them how to look after their skin health. Children and young people with CP may be affected by skin irritation caused by friction, pressure and moisture issues. This can be due to repeated physical movement, chafing from specialised or assistive equipment, or spasticity. If skin irritation is left untreated, it can lead to rashes, infections and other issues.

Skin conditions can also be caused by:

• immobility
• poor nutrition
• incontinence
• some medications
• dehydration
• loss of sensation.

For children and young people with reduced mobility, it is essential to watch for signs of pressure injury, which is caused by constant pressure or friction. Warning signs include skin redness, discolouration, and broken or swollen skin.

To help prevent pressure injury in children and young people with CP:

• check their skin daily to look for early warning signs
• maintain good blood circulation by reducing the amount of time that pressure is applied to their skin
• use good-quality equipment and assistive technology correctly as instructed by therapists
• develop a plan to make sure regular position changes happen during the day and night. Ask for advice from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist
• maintain daily skin-care routines to ensure their skin is well moisturised.

If you are at all concerned about your child or young person’s skin health, talk to their healthcare team as soon as possible about getting an assessment, treatment or advice.

Treatment depends on what type of skin condition your child or young person has. It can range from antibiotics to prescription-based topical medications that are applied directly to the skin, such as ointments or creams. They may be prescribed over-the-counter medication if the issue is mild, or for more serious conditions, they may be referred to a dermatologist.

To encourage your child or young person to look after their skin, which reduces their chance of developing skin infections, make sure they get used to washing their hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, using the bathroom, and before and after meals. This is equally important in different settings, such as school or social occasions.

Bathing regularly and moisturising their skin afterwards is also important, particularly for children and young people who wear incontinence products.

Change and wash their bedsheets and blankets often. If your child or young person uses assistive technology, clean and dry it regularly, and make sure it fits correctly.

Some of this information is accessed with permission from Future Thinking.