Babies' skin

<Why does the skin around the mouth become irritated?>

Cutaneous irritation around the mouth is characterised by redness, tiny spots, and dry, rough, coarse skin. This irritation is a result of the saliva soaking the skin around the mouth, following the repeated use of a dummy or the sucking of a thumb or a favourite toy.

Amylase, an enzyme present in saliva, is a factor that aggravates the irritation.

Maintained or worsened by cold and wind, this cutaneous irritation around the mouth tends to break out afresh in the winter.