Should A Doctor Be Consulted For Dry Skin On The Feet Of A Baby Before Starting The Emollient Treatment?

Posted on Wed, 7 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 7 Mar 2018 Answered on

Fri, 8 Feb 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : You had mentioned that my baby has dry skin on his foot dorsum. Are you referring to the upper part of the feet? And is the dry skin occurrence normal? Should we consult a doctor in person before starting the emollient treatment?

Thanks
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Needs thyroid testing please - if done and normal - don't worry

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It is a simple problem of dry skin for which you can directly start using emollients. You need not go to the doctor for this. However, I recommend doing a thyroid function test or Free T4 and TSH.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani
Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 days later)

Hi doc. his TSH alone was tested at birth & was 5 -ish. Do we need to retake the test?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to re-test TSH

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

No need. Unless it is above 20, you need not worry at all.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani
Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar