7 Common Baby Skin Rash: Causes And Treatments

Health

Image credit: Bountifulbaby

Not all rashes are the same

Your baby’s skin has a wealth of unique cell potential, but it is also delicate and undeveloped: it doesn’t yet function as a complete protective barrier, and can easily become irritated.

Babies as young as a few days old do develop rashes as their fragile skin adapts to a new environment. Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own.

This guide may give you a better idea of the cause of the rash, but don't use it to diagnose your baby's condition. It is important to note that rashes that are accompanied by symptoms such as a high temperature of 38C or above, irritability and a lack of energy, shortness of breath, drowsiness and fits (seizures) can be symptoms of some other illnesses such as meningitis. See your doctor for proper diagnosis and receive necessary treatment when in doubt.

What is a rash?

A rash is a generic term that describes any form of skin irritation, itchiness or redness.

Here are 7 common conditions:

1. Minor Irritations – Drool and heat rash

Drool rash: Red, dry, and/or chapped areas appearing around the mouth and cheeks (especially babies using pacifier). May also appear in the folds of baby's neck, behind ears, on chest or thumb if your baby sucks his thumb.

Heat / Sweat rash: Babies get overheated easily in our tropical hot and humid weather, and may develop rashes on their face, skin folds in the neck and arms, legs, armpits, groin, etc. Keeping your baby dressed in light, loose clothing during hot weather may be helpful.

What does it look like?

Image result for heat rash Image result for heat rash baby

Image credit: Babyrashclinic

Slightly raised small red spots/bumps
Chapped appearance
Itchy and/or prickly feeling
Mild swelling and redness

What to do?

Clean the irritated areas with a soap-free, non-drying skin cleanser, and air dry.
Apply a moisturizing, nourishing and healing skincare product adapted to delicate infant skin. This will soothe the irritation and promote skin repair while reducing the risk of infection. TRY: Mustela Stelatria Purifying Recovery Cream

Image result for medical cross emoji When to see a doctor?

When there are scabs or extensive/oozing lesions, when your baby is having trouble sleeping or is irritable, or if his skin does not improve after a few weeks of treatment.

Continue reading on page 2 for more skin concerns...

This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.

2. Baby Acne

Baby acne is usually related to hormones, and it is believed that babies get their maternal hormones that were passed through the womb. It usually appears in the first two to four weeks after birth. Baby acne is harmless, non-infectious, does not itch or hurt and usually goes away within a few weeks without treatment.

What does it look like?

Image result for baby acne

Image credit: Motherhow

Small red or white bumps
Occur anywhere on the face, usually on the cheeks, nose and forehead
Some babies also develop tiny white bumps known as milia
May be accompanied with cradle cap

What to do?

Keep baby's face clean as often as you can. You may use a hypoallergenic no rinse cleansing water. TRY: Mustela No Rinse Cleansing Water
Wash baby's face daily with warm water and/or mild baby cleanser.
Dry baby's face by patting gently, do not rub.
Don't pinch or scrub the acne.
Avoid using lotions or oils on your baby's face.

Does breastmilk help?

There are anecdotal examples of using breastmilk to treat baby acne. However, breastmilk may cause baby’s acne to become more pronounced. It’s observed by some parents that when their babies spit up milk after a feed, more acne appears around the mouth. The same thing can occur if his skin is irritated by saliva, or if he is overheated or fussy.

Image result for medical cross emoji When to see a doctor?

When you cannot confirm it is baby acne or when it doesn’t clear within two to three months.

Continue reading on page 3 for more skin concerns...

3. Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema

Eczema is a generic term for any dermatitis or skin inflammation or itching. It is often used to describe atopic dermatitis, an increasingly common skin problem that leads to extreme dryness, itchiness and skin discomfort. Usually caused by genetic and environmental factors, it often appears at the age of three months then improves after a few years.

Extremely dry, eczema-prone skin is deficient in lipids, a fatty substance that normally maintains the protective skin barrier. As a result, one is more vulnerable to the elements. This vulnerability is caused by the immune system’s heightened sensitivity. Atopic dermatitis is more likely to occur among children with allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergies.

How does it look like?

Image result for baby eczema Image result for baby knee eczema

Image credit: MummySG and Naturallyhealthyskin

Extremely dry skin.
Rough and has small, flaky patches.
Red, dry and rough patches appear on the face, in skin folds (neck, elbow, back of knees) and on the extremities (hands, wrists, ankles).
Very itchy skin, sometimes to the point of disrupting sleep.

What to do?

Treatment involves the daily use of medications (if necessary) and specific dermo-cosmetic products. In addition, diet and daily hygiene can help relieve your baby’s condition:

Hygiene and bathing

Regularly cut your baby’s nails short to avoid scratching.
Use special soap-free and fragrance-free cleansing products.
Dry the baby gently with a 100% cotton towel without rubbing.
Each day after bath time, moisturize the baby’s skin with an appropriate emollient cream. TRY: Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Cream or Emollient Balm

Home environment

Humidify and smoke-free rooms
Frequently vacuum and air out the room
Banish dust and mites (from carpets, stuffed animals and so on).
Avoid contact with pets.

Clothing

Use 100% cotton underwear. Avoid wearing wool and synthetic materials directly on the skin.
Use an appropriate laundry detergent and avoid fabric softeners.

Diet

Breastfeed your baby as long as possible.
Only start feeding the baby solid food at the age of 6 months.
Delay the introduction of allergenic foods, such as eggs and certain types of fish.

Image result for medical cross emoji When to see a doctor?

Eczema is a chronic condition and unlike baby acne, milk or heat rash, it requires proper diagnosis and treatment. Consult a doctor if the rashes bear the symptoms of an eczema or if one or both parents have history of eczema.

Continue reading on page 4 for more skin concerns...

4. Diaper Rash

The diaper area’s very delicate skin can easily become irritated, especially during the baby’s first year of life. Up to 60% of infants are affected during the first 12 months.

Friction from diapers, contact with faeces and urine, teething, introduction of solid foods, diarrhea, infection and certain medications can all cause diaper rash.

While generally harmless, diaper rash must not be neglected. It can become painful for your baby and if poorly treated, can lead to more severe sores requiring medical care.

Prevention is better than cure!

What does it look like?

Image result for diaper rash

Image credit: Healthyspectra

Bright red rash that usually gets bigger
Very red and scaly areas all over the genitals
Severe diaper rash includes pimples, blisters, ulcers, large bumps, or sores filled with pus

What to do?

Change your baby’s diaper regularly and as soon as possible after a bowel movement.
Leave buttock to air diaper-free as often as possible.
Each time you change his diaper, gently clean the skin with a gentle cleansing product, then gently dab it dry.
Use a special purifying and healing dermo-cosmetic product.
Once the diaper rash is gone, apply a zinc oxide-based protective cream during each diaper change as a preventive measure to avoid a recurrence. TRY: Mustela Vitamin Barrier Cream

Image result for medical cross emoji When to see a doctor?

When your baby’s diaper rash begins oozing, if he has trouble eating, persistent diarrhea or a skin rash, or if his condition doesn’t improve after three to four days of treatment.

Continue reading on page 5 for more skin concerns...

5. Hives

Hives, also called urticaria, are often caused by an allergic reaction triggered by a food or a drug. Hives are usually itchy, vary in size and often go away within 24 hours or less, but are irritating and unsightly. It’s important to avoid whatever substance or food that triggers hives. They can last a few days with old ones fading and new ones appearing.

How do they look like?

Image result for baby hives

Image credit: Babycenter and Lifewithgremlins

Slightly raised, pink or red swellings.
Welts that occur alone or in a group, or connect over a large area.
Usually itch, sometimes sting or hurt.
Some babies always get hives in the same spot or spots on their body.

What to do?

For most babies, hives are not serious.
Babies may outgrow the allergies that cause their hives.
Some hives go away on their own — often within a year. For chronic cases (lasting more than 6 weeks), however, the hives come and go for months or years.
To reduce itch, use a moisturizing and soothing skincare product adapted to delicate infant skin. TRY: Mustela Stelatria Purifying Recovery Cream

Image result for medical cross emoji When to see a doctor?

If baby has trouble breathing or swallowing, get emergency care right away.

If hives remain or become severe, it’s important to get medical care. Hives can be a sign of an internal disease.

Continue reading on page 6 for more skin concerns...

6. Cradle Cap

During the first few weeks of life, babies may have small yellowish crusty patches called “cradle cap” which is caused by an overproduction of sebum (skin oil). Sebum traps the dead cells on the skin’s surface, leading to the formation of crusty patches. Cradle cap has nothing to do with poor hygiene.

This condition affects two-thirds of babies and is completely benign. Cradle cap, however, is unpleasant to look at and can be become infected by bacteria or fungi.

How does it look like?

Image result for cradle cap

Image credit: Whattoexpect and Omnicsonline

Greasy or oily patches of skin, often covered with white or yellow scales.
Thick crusts on the scalp, and sometimes on the ears, eyelids, eyebrows, nose, neck, groin, or armpits
Skin flakes that look like dandruff
In a very few cases, babies with cradle cap will have skin that is a little red or itchy, and some might even have hair loss, though the hair usually grows back after the cradle cap is gone.

What to do?

Use a shampoo that prevents/treats cradle cap, gently massaging your baby’s scalp when you wash his hair. Rinse carefully. TRY: Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns
Carefully brush his hair every day with a soft brush.

Continue reading on page 7 for more skin concerns...

7. Ringworm

Ringworm is a common fungal infection amongst babies. Contrary to its name, it’s not caused by worms. Typically, the ringworm fungus enters the child's skin through broken skin, such as a cut or scratch, a patch of eczema or through direct contact with an infected person or pet, or from contact with contaminated surfaces such as towels, toys, or clothes. It is highly contagious.

You can usually buy anti-fungal cream from a pharmacy for self-treatment, without a prescription.

How does it look like?

Image result for baby ringworm

Image credit: Babycenter and Babyrashclinic

Usually ring-shaped red or silver rash
May be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy
Can appear anywhere on the body - including the scalp and groin

What to do?

Wash the rash with mild cleanser and water, and dry thoroughly.
Apply anti-fungal cream covering all over and beyond the rash

Image result for medical cross emoji When to see doctor?

When symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks.

We hope this has helped you identify your little one's skin irritation and put your mind at ease! However, listen to your mummy instincts and seek medical help if you think it’s necessary.

This initiative is brought to you by Mustela Singapore.

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7 Common Baby Skin Rash: Causes And Treatments

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