How to Use Aloe Vera on Newborns
The gel from the Aloe vera plant has a variety of healing properties, including soothing skin, according to the authors of “Aloe Vera: A Short Review,” published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology. The inner gel from Aloe vera leaves contains amino acids, vitamins and antibacterial properties, and many baby care products, lotions and ointments contain Aloe vera because it has both healing and soothing properties. If your newborn experiences skin issues such as dryness or cradle cap, you might apply Aloe vera to soothe the irritation.
Check with your newborn’s pediatrician prior to applying Aloe vera to the baby’s skin. Your baby’s pediatrician might suggest or provide an alternative topical ointment.
Place a small amount of Aloe vera onto your index finger and apply it gently to your infant’s skin in areas with dryness, cradle cap or mild irritation, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center 3. Work the Aloe vera in until it disappears into your baby’s skin.
Repeat the application method once or twice each day to soothe your baby’s skin and promote healing.
Warnings
Watch your baby’s skin for signs of increased irritation. Although rare, Aloe vera may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Do not use Aloe vera on open sores or deep wounds, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. Never give an infant Aloe vera orally; use Aloe vera topically only.
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- National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine: Aloe Vera: A Short Review
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Aloe Vera
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Aloe
- Dat, A.; Poon, F.; Pham, K. et al. Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 15;(2):CD008762. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008762.pub2.
- Haddad, P.; Amouzgar-Hashemi, F.; Samsami, S. et al. Aloe Vera for Prevention of Radiation-Induced Dermatitis: a Self-Controlled Clinical Trial. Curr Oncol. 2013 Aug;20(4):e345-8. DOI: 10.3747/co.20.1356.
- Heggie, S.; Bryant, G.; Tripcony, L. et al. A Phase III Study on the Efficacy of Topical Aloe Vera Gel on Irradiated Breast Tissue. Cancer Nurs. 2002;25(6):442-51.
- Langmead, L.; Feakins, R.; Goldthorpe, S.et al. Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Oral Aloe Vera Gel for Active Ulcerative Colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004;19(7):739-47. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01902.x.
- Paulsen, E.; Korsholm, L.; and Brandrup, F. Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Commercial Aloe Vera Gel in the Treatment of Slight to Moderate Psoriasis Vulgaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005:19(3):326-31. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.01186.x.
- Suksomboon, N.; Poolsup, N.; Punthanitisarn, S. et al. Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2016;41(2):180-8. DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12382
- Zhang, Y.; Liu, W.; Liu, D. et al. Efficacy of Aloe Vera Supplementation on Prediabetes and Early Non-Treated Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2016 Jul; 8(7): 388. DOI: 10.3390/nu8070388.
- Watch your baby’s skin for signs of increased irritation. Although rare, Aloe vera may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- Do not use Aloe vera on open sores or deep wounds, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
- Never give an infant Aloe vera orally; use Aloe vera topically only.
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