What Can I do to get my child to apply lotion on his dry skin??!?

Question

My 13 year old son has the most dry skin ever. Ever since winter came around I felt that his entire body is almost like sand paper.
I always see him itch it and everything. I went to a dermontologist and she said he just needs to be using lotion every day on his body after he takes his shower/bath.

I just got a new Nivea Dry skin lotion, which is very thick for him. I told him he needs to apply it every day after his shower. I come in after and I apply it on his back where he cant reach.

I found out he is not even using the lotion, the bottle is still full, but his back is doing better, from when I do it, I told him many times, but he never uses it. This is what I did so far.

-I showed him pictures of people with bad bad dry skin.

-I told him that girls hate guys who have dry skin-

-I asked him if he wants to pick his own lotion from the store.

And then one day, I caught him squrting the lotion in the toilet.. Please tell me what I should do!

and when I mean i caught him putting lotion in the toilet, i meant he is trying to use it so i think hes actually using it.

But when I caught him doing that I slathered him head to toe myself that day lol.

Answer 1

Even tho Nivea is a gender friendly brand, at 13 everything is about image. See if you can find a masculine brand by someone who does colognes and aftershaves. Kids are so into the media, you never see men on commercials applying cream. Its an image thing.

Answer 2

I agree with the previous poster who said to explain that firefighters, and other men wear lotions. But more importantly, it is a health issue, and therefore, after his bath, have him put on his underwear and then lotion up his arms, legs, feet and chest for him. You are his mother, and there is nothing inappropriate with you doing so. Would you rub Vicks Vapor Rub on his chest if here were very sick? Of course you would, so there should be nothing wrong with rubbing lotion on him. If the skin continues to get too dry, it causes cracks in the skin, which can leave bacteria and other harmful germs into the cracks, which in turn can cause real issues for the child. So it is best to head it off at the pass by applying the lotion for him. And as the other person said, use that time to ask how school is, or how sports are going, etc. and within five minutes the lotion is on, his skin will feel better and life will be great. And as that other poster said, use moisturizing soaps. Good luck :-)

Answer 3

This sounds like it may be a matter of control for him. It was a great idea to try and let him pick his own lotion. But now it is a matter of 2 things I think. 1) MOM says (roll the eyes) and 2) annoying and inconvenient. Is this a health issue? In your post it seems like maybe it bothers you more than it bothers him? If it is a health issue then perhaps sit with him and just express to him your concerns. Treat him as an adult who has his own choices. Let him know that as a "growing adult" he is in charge of his health and body and he needs to decide how to handle it. Let him know that you understand that it is inconvenient and annoying to have to do every night. Also, you might try giving him some body washes that are exfoliatents as well. That way, he only has to wash with that instead of washing and then lotion. Maybe that could eleviate some of the time issue...

Answer 4

i have a 5 yr. old nephew that i've tookin in ever since he was 2 days old. he do not put on lotion either so when i get him out the bath i put it on for him and with him i think the babies just need to know its not harmful. just do this 4 a little while and he will start doing it often by himself

Answer 5

get a medical lotion that is unscented and works fast.
He's a kid with little patience. If he puts it on once and doesn't see big results he isn't going to continue using it

Answer 6

just leave him to become scaly like a fish ahahhaha, then he will use it

Answer 7

your a perv !!!!