Sensitive skin in children

The prevalence of sensitive skin was calculated to be 53.9% based on the declarations of the mothers (girls: 58.2%/boys: 48.7%). Children were considered to have sensitive skin when their mothers reported that they had very sensitive (9.7%) or sensitive (43.6%) skin, whereas they were classified as without sensitive skin if the mothers answered that they had no (11.7%) or slightly (35%) sensitive skin. Regarding themselves, the mothers reported having sensitive skin when their children had very sensitive skin (86.4%), sensitive skin (74.7%), slightly sensitive skin (50.2%) and no sensitive skin (32.4%). The mothers thought that their children suffered from itching, tingling or burning sensations, difficulties falling asleep and nocturnal wakefulness with higher prevalences for cases with very sensitive skin, compared to less sensitive skin.

The prevalence of sensitive skin in children under 6 years appears to correlate positively with the prevalence in adults. It is also notable that sensitive skin is closely related in children and adults: females rather than males, association with skin dryness and same triggering factors. This study is the first to suggest a hereditary component in sensitive skin: children who have a mother with sensitive skin have an increased risk of experiencing sensitive skin themselves.

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