It’s common for babies to develop a skin condition in their first few days or weeks, as their delicate and sensitive skin is adapting to the outside world. So, it’s essential to treat your baby’s skin with care.
Although it can be scary when your baby comes out in a rash and you’re not sure what it is, there’s often no need to worry, so don’t go jumping to conclusions and definitely don’t go googling symptoms.
Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own. Others can be easily treated at home. However, if you’re at all concerned by your baby’s skin condition – particularly if they seem unwell and have a high temperature – contact your doctor. They can advise about the cause and whether treatment is necessary.
Here are 7 common baby skin conditions that occur in babies and are easily treated…
Baby skin conditions: #1 Eczema
Eczema is a common condition in babies, and it can be very irritating. It causes the skin to be red, itchy, dry and sometimes cracked, especially in the creases at the elbows and knees.
Eczema can be worsened by a number of things like strong soaps, detergents, bubble bath and chlorine in swimming pools. Heat can also make the condition worse as the skin becomes drier.
Try and keep their room cool at night and stick to cotton clothing. Using a suitable emollient cream every day can help prevent flare-ups. There are a number of products on the market, or you may prefer for your doctor to prescribe one.
Eczema isn’t contagious or infectious, although it can get infected if the sores are opened by constant scratching. So, it’s a good idea to keep your baby’s fingernails short in case they’re tempted to scratch.
Baby skin conditions: #2 Nappy rash
Next on our list of common baby skin conditions is nappy rash.
Nappy rash is an inflammation of the skin in the nappy area that appears red and sore. It can be caused by a number of things including urine or poo irritating baby’s skin, a yeast infection, and it can also be a sign of teething.
To avoid nappy rash, keep the area clean and dry as much as possible by changing their nappy frequently. If possible, it’s also good to give them some nappy-free time.
Barrier creams can help soothe the skin and protect the area from becoming irritated. If the nappy rash is persistent, it may be better treated with a medicated cream.
#3 Cradle cap
Cradle cap usually appears as white or yellow scaly patches on baby’s scalp, but it can also appear on the face. It’s a harmless condition that isn’t itchy or painful for your baby and it’s not contagious. It usually clears up on its own within 6 to 12 months.
Although the cause of cradle cap is unknown, there are a number of things you can do at home to help treat it.
You could lightly massage the affected area with an emollient moisturiser to help loosen the scales and brush your baby’s scalp with a soft brush. Avoid using olive oil and don’t be tempted to try picking the scabs, as this could cause infection.
#4 Milia
If your baby develops small white spots on their face, especially the nose, it could be milia. These are blocked pores that usually clear up within a few weeks without any treatment needed. However, if you notice a rash or crusting around the milia, take your baby to see a doctor.
Don’t try and squeeze or scrape off these spots like you might do with a pimple, as you could cause scarring or infection. Just be patient and wait for them to disappear naturally.
Baby skin conditions: #5 Baby acne
Some babies can get acne on their face in the first few months of life. These pimples normally clear up without any treatment, usually in the first few months.
Again, don’t try and squeeze the pimples as this could cause scarring. Keeping your baby’s face clean and dry can help but avoid using lotions and oils, as these can irritate the skin.
Baby skin conditions: #6 Hives
Hives usually appear as red, raised bumps or welts and can sometimes be blotchy. They’re normally caused by an allergic reaction and can be itchy and irritating, but a mild case of hives may not bother your baby.
The tricky thing is working out what caused the hives, to stop them coming back again. Common causes of an allergic reaction are from foods – like shellfish, nuts and dairy – pollen and pets.
Hives tend to appear within a few minutes to two hours after exposure to the offending irritant. If your baby comes out in hives, think about what they’ve recently been exposed to. This may give you an idea of what caused the hives to form.
Antihistamine medication can help reduce the hives, but if your baby is too young to take the medicine, you could try applying a cold compress to the affected area.
If you think the hives were caused by something they ate or drank, contact your doctor as they may have had an allergic reaction that could be worse next time.
#7 Heat rash/prickly heat
Heat rash or prickly heat might appear if your baby gets hot in a humid environment. It’s usually caused by blocked sweat glands and shows as little red bumps or blisters on the skin, which can be very itchy. It’s common for babies to get heat rash because they can’t control their own body temperature.
If your baby has heat rash, keep them out of the humidity and as cool as possible. It should then clear up within 2 to 3 days without treatment.
Other common baby skin conditions
Of course, there are some common baby skin conditions that are more serious for babies. These usually occur at the same time as a high temperature and obvious signs that your baby is unwell. If this happens, take your baby to see a doctor and get advice on how the condition can be treated.
And no matter what the condition, there’s never any harm in getting some peace of mind from a professional.
Paula Veverka is a specialist Maternity, Newborn and Baby photographer based in Blantyre, Glasgow.
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