Your newborn baby’s skin may show a wide variety of bumps and blotches. Most of them are totally harmless; they’ll clear up without any treatment. Here is some insight from the top newborn care phoenix has to offer about some common rashes:
- Milia: Most babies will have little whiteheads over the nose or chin. These are plugged sebaceous glands and clear up spontaneously during the first few months of life.
- Erythema Toxicum: Exact cause is unknown, but 50 percent of infants develop these red splotches with white centers during the first week of life. They seldom last longer than two weeks and no treatment is necessary.
- Neonatal Acne: Baby acne appears on the cheeks, hairline and often around the shoulder area. It can appear at about two weeks of age and last for as long as two months. It is actually oily skin; often bathing the baby with Dove soap will help. Avoid highly perfumed soaps, lotions, or fabric softeners because they can irritate your baby’s tender skin.
- Heat Rash: Usually, the best treatment is to provide a cooler, less humid environment. Dress your baby in loose clothing and avoid harsh soaps and perfumed lotions. Powder may help. When you use powder it’s important to make sure the infant doesn’t inhale any. Sprinkle some powder in your hand away from the baby. Then rub gently on the affected area.
- Diaper Rashes: The only children who never develop diaper rash are those who never wear diapers. Infant’s skin is particularly sensitive in the diaper area and irritation from constant dampness aggravates the situation. Treatment is aimed at keeping the skin dry and exposed to the air as much as possible. If your baby developes a diaper rash leave the diaper open as much as possible. Plastic pants should be avoided; they don’t allow the area to breathe. Zinc oxide ointments such as Desitin
or A&D
can be used along with Caldescene powder to form a barrier between the wetness and the skin.Reminder: Take care, talc dust can be dangerous if it’s inhaled.Irritation form a simple diaper rash can be complicated by yeast-especially if the baby is taking or has taken antibiotics. Yeast diaper rashes are usually bright red, raised and plaque-like with small pinpoint dots around the central rash. They do not resound well to normal rash treatment, requiring a prescription medication to clear them up. Blisters in the diaper area are always abnormal. If you discover them on your baby, call Pediatrix.
