Common Rashes in Babies
October 5, 2009 by Anna
Filed under Baby & Family
A recent report in Clinical Pediatrics stated that more than seventy-five percent of newborns suffer rashes within their first few months after birth. This is both surprising and alarming to the new parent who hopes and expects that their baby will be perfect in every way. Some babies are born with flaky skin that is part of the protective waxy membrane that surrounds them in the womb. It can be over their entire body or just certain areas like the hands and feet. It looks a bit like dandruff but it’s naturally sloughed off within days or weeks with only very gentle washing. 
Another very common skin irregularity is a kind of acne called milia. This is not the tiny bumps that appear on most babies face that disappear within a few weeks. Milia is more inflamed and while it can be present at birth, it more often shows up after a few weeks, usually on the cheeks, the forehead, chin, or even the back. It looks like small whiteheads surrounded by reddish skin. These pimples can become worse if your baby is overly hot or if their skin is irritated by saliva or spit-up milk. Also excess rubbing of fabric on the area can worsen the condition, especially if that fabric contains a residue of detergent.
Doctors have no clear consensus as to what the cause of milia is, but it usually clears up within a couple months without any treatment. In some cases, it can be related to an allergic reaction to something – such as a prescription the mother is taking if she is breastfeeding, a hormone reaction, or a chemical sensitivity to products being used for cleaning. Newborn skin is so much thinner and more permeable to topically applied agents than adult skin, so a baby can reach toxic levels of exposure to chemicals very quickly. Their liver is undeveloped as well as their immune system so sometimes a parents best intentions to protect their baby by rubbing all kinds of products into their skin – actually is the cause of their skin problems.
To minimize skin irritation or rashes, it’s recommended to not apply any creams or ointments to the affected area. Simply clean with a gentle and preferably organic baby wash that doesn’t contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate – a known irritant to babies skin. Avoid applying any kind of petroleum based product or mineral oil which blocks the pores and contains petroleum contaminants. In fact, too much of almost anything can further irritate your baby’s skin, so don’t overdo the cleaning or the oiling. Simply wash your baby’s face (and other areas), as needed, and gently pat it dry. Your babies whole body should be bathed in clean, warm water with a mild soap once daily, usually before bedtime.
Another common rash that babies are susceptible to is called ‘prickly heat’ or summer rash. This occurs when your baby sweats so much that their tiny pores clog and the sweat can’t get out. A red rash develops and shows up most commonly in the folds of the skin or on parts of their body where clothing fits snugly. Prickly heat is commonly seen in hot, humid weather, but you might see it in winter, too, if your baby is wearing too many layers of clothing or is running a fever.
To relieve the discomfort of a heat rash, cool your baby by removing clothes, apply cool, wet washcloths to the affected area and allow them to lay on a cotton towel, which can help absorb their sweat.. A lukewarm bath with a little baking soda, 2 teaspoons per gallon, can also help relieve any itching. If possible, let your baby air dry rather than rubbing with a towel and don’t use ointments or creams which can make the rash worse by trapping moisture..
Babies may develop rashes for any number of reasons in those first few weeks. It’s important not to overreact to these normal adjustments that your baby is making to a brand new environment. Keeping baby clean, dry and safe from irritating chemicals is your first line of defense. Other factors such as the humidity or dryness in your home may be having an effect. Parents often make the mistake that babies need to always be kept wrapped up, while an equally insensible notion is that babies need to be ‘toughened up’ by exposure to weather and temperatures that their body truly can’t cope with.
It can be tricky steering a middle course of being concerned and observant without becoming obsessed. Your baby is still perfect even if there are blemishes or unexplained rashes. Have patience. Your baby will communicate to you their needs, wants and preferences and within a very short time, you’ll have adapted to their needs as well as they adapt to their new life with you.
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