Yahoo Lifestyle The most common baby skin problems
Photo: Getty Images
BABY ACNE
What does it look like?
Fleshy, red pimples. Most often it will appear on bub’s cheeks, forehead and/or chin.
What causes it?
Baby acne is one of the most common bumpy blemishes on baby skin – about one in five develop it in their first month. The pimples can be present at birth, but typically appear at three or four weeks of age, and are due to maternal hormones and hormonal changes. The condition tends to come and go until baby is between four and six months old.
How do I treat it?
Infant acne tends to disappear on its own after the hormone stimulation settles down. It will be most prominent when your baby is hot or his skin is irritated. Gently wash his face once a day with water and a soap-free wash. “Don’t use oils or moisturisers,” says Melbourne-based paediatric dermatologist Dr John Su. “And don’t be tempted to pinch or scrub the bumps.” Consult your GP if the acne is severe or if it looks like it’s scarring.
CHAFING
What does it look like?
Red and dry skin, usually in areas where clothing or nappies rub.
What causes it?
Chafing is irritation to the outer layer of the skin caused by friction. Most often babies get chafing if their clothes or nappies are too tight or if their skin is repeatedly rubbing against rough fabric.
How do I treat it?
Remove anything that is too tight or that rubs against bub’s skin, such as straps or elasticised pants. If the chafing is around his nappy area, check the size of his nappies. It might be time to go up a size. To care for chafed skin, clean and dry the area thoroughly and use baby powder to absorb moisture. If it looks sore, apply a soothing cream to the affected area.
CRADLE CAP
What does it look like?
Dry, scaly flakes.
What causes it?
Cradle cap results from overstimulation of bub’s oil-producing glands, which leads to shed skin flakes becoming trapped. Experts don’t know for sure why it occurs, but some think its due to hormones that pass from mum to baby in utero.
How do I treat it?
Cradle cap is harmless and usually clears up in your baby’s first year. Once it’s gone, it’s unlikely to come back. If it bothers you, try rubbing some baby, almond or olive oil on his scalp to soften the flakes. Leave on for about 15 minutes, then comb the hair gently or use a soft toothbrush or damp cloth to remove the loose flakes. When you’ve finished, wash bub’s hair with a mild baby shampoo. Consult your GP if the cradle cap is severe or starts to spread beyond his scalp.
ECZEMA
What does it look like?
Patches of red, scaly, itchy skin. Occasionally the patches ooze and crust over.
What causes it?
Eczema is a common skin condition which is thought to have a genetic link, says Dr Su. “If one or both parents have, or had, eczema or a related condition such as asthma or hay fever, this increases the likelihood of their children developing the condition,” he says.
Lots of kids grow out of it by the time they’re two or three years old, but in some cases it does continue into adult life. The good news is that if it does continue, it usually lessens with age.
How do I treat it?
The most important way to treat eczema is to keep your baby’s skin moisturised with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser, Dr Su says. And reduce skin irritants by using gentle products for everything that goes on, or touches, his skin.
“Things such as heat, too much [time in] water or certain foods can trigger eczema, so watch for flare-ups and try to reduce or eliminate what causes them,” Dr Su says.
Eczema can be itchy and uncomfortable. Your baby may try to scratch the area for relief, but this can irritate or inflame his skin further. Keep his nails short and pop cotton mittens on his hands if he’ll tolerate them. Call your GP if the rash gets worse or if bub develops a fever. If the eczema is severe, it may need to be treated with an over-the-counter cream or prescription ointment.
HEAT RASH
What does it look like?
A bright-red, pimply rash. It usually appears on the head, neck, torso and groin area.
What causes it?
This rash appears when your baby overheats, often as a result of being overdressed. His underdeveloped sweat ducts become blocked, trapping sweat under the skin. The situation can be further agitated by clothing rubbing over the area.
How do I treat it?
Heat rash generally disappears without treatment. Reduce further irritation by moving your baby to a cooler environment and dress him in cool, lightweight clothing. In cold weather, dress him in layers so that you can take them off easily if the temperature rises.
MILIA
What does it look like?
Tiny white bumps on your baby’s nose, chin or cheeks that look more rashy than pimply. Some babies have a few bumps, while others have a lot.
What causes it?
Milia occur when the pores in your baby’s skin become blocked near the surface. They aren’t painful and usually clear up when the surface of the bump wears away and the dead skin is sloughed off.
How do I treat it?
Dr Su says this is another condition that tends to go away by itself. “They usually clear up within a few weeks, but can last for a month or two,” he says. Don’t squeeze them, as this may lead to infection and cause scarring.
YEAST INFECTION (THRUSH)
What does it look like?
A bright pink or red rash with clearly defined edges on your bub’s bottom. There may be small red spots near the edges.
What causes it?
Microorganisms that flourish in a warm, moist environment cause the infection. It’s more common in babies who are taking, or have recently taken, antibiotics and tends to accompany bad cases of nappy rash.
How do I treat it?
Consult your GP. A yeast infection is treated with a prescribed antifungal cream. Change your little one’s nappies as soon as you know they are wet and wash your hands before and after you change him.
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Trust your instincts when it comes to caring for your baby and his skin. Most rashes and problems aren’t serious, but if you think something looks wrong, or a skin condition isn’t clearing up after a few days, talk to your GP or paediatrician. If his skin has small, red-purplish dots or yellow, fluid-filled bumps, or he has a fever or lethargy, check with your GP straight away.
Related: Caring for your baby's bottom
Photography: Getty Images
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