Babies can be affected by many types of different skin conditions. Here’s a guide on how to improve some of the common skin conditions found in babies.
by Regina Thomas | Regina Thomas is a Southern California native who spends her time as a freelance writer. She loves cooking at home when she can find the time and taking walks with her Golden Retriever, Sadie.
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Most common skin conditions found in babies can be easily treated. Knowing what these common skin conditions are will prepare you for the journey to healing their skin.
At times, skin conditions in babies can be very painful or present as a rash or discoloration that isn’t pretty to look at. Since, as a parent, you want to ensure that your baby or babies are healthy, it’s important to learn about each condition and how to treat each one. Let’s take a look at some of the common skin conditions in babies and what to do about them in the guide below.
Baby Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in adults, let alone babies, but baby acne is not quite the same as the one teenagers get, with some research claiming that it may be related to yeast and not oil.
Baby acne often appears as small red and white bumps on babies’ necks, faces, back, and upper chest. The appearance of these bumps is quite noticeable on your child a few weeks after birth.
How you can improve it:
Most of the time, baby acne tends to disappear by itself within the first couple of months, but to improve the situation, you can gently wash the affected area with mild baby soap and then dry the area with a clean towel.
Also, it’s advisable that with baby acne, you should avoid oils, lotions, or pinching, scrubbing, and squeezing the affected skin
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is the condition where your baby’s scalp develops a scaling, redness, flaking, or irritation. This condition is usually caused by your baby’s sebaceous glands producing too much oil. Cradle cap is common in infants a few weeks after birth and appears identical to dandruff but with much more severe thick, yellowish, and oily crusty patches or scaling.
Cradle cap isn’t known to be itchy or uncomfortable to the baby, but it may result in a yeast infection in the affected area
How you can improve it:
One of the most reliable methods of improving cradle cap is by shampooing. There are lots of baby shampoos in the market, but the best cradle cap shampoo is one with pyrithione zinc as an ingredient since it helps provide relief for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
Also, when shampooing, it’s advisable that you use a soft brush to brush your baby’s scalp as it helps get rid of the scales. You can rub mineral oil onto your baby’s scalps to loosen the scales. Remember never leave the oil on your baby’s head as it may worsen the condition
Eczema
Also referred to as atopic dermatitis, Eczema is identifiable by the appearance of scaly, dry, itchy red patches on your baby’s skin. Eczema often appears around babies’ knees and elbows. Most of the time, Eczema tends not to bother your child, especially if it’s small, but at times the affected area may be quite large and cause your child discomfort.
If that’s the case, then it’s highly recommended that you take your child to see a medical practitioner
How you can improve it:
If the Eczema isn’t that far spread, it tends to clear out on its lonesome. You can try the following ideas to prevent it from recurring:
- Avoid synthetic fabrics and wool clots for your child; instead, use pure cotton clothing
- Use fragrance-free baby soaps, detergents, ointment, moisturizers, and deodorants
- Dust off an area before sitting or laying your child
- Avoid Eczema triggers such as low humidity and heat
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is one of the most common skin conditions in infants, as it affects at least six out of ten infants. It appears as a red, scaling rash that forms around the areas covered by the toddler’s diaper.
Diaper rash is mainly a result of urine and faces trapped in your baby’s diaper, or at times it may result from a yeast infection. Other causes include allergic reactions to the dipper, detergents, or soaps, and impetigo
How you can improve it:
With diaper rash, the rash tends to vary, but you can use the following tips to help you improve the baby’s condition:
- Regular diaper change
- Use anti-inflammatory or antibiotic, or antifungal cream; ensure it is prescribed by your child’s pediatrician
- Before changing your baby’s diaper, let the diaper area dry off first
- Switch to moist-resistant diaper barrier cream.
Conclusion
Remember, when it comes to babies, their skin is always very delicate, so it’s recommended you handle it with care. If the symptoms persist, seek immediate help from your pediatrician. Also, it is important that before using any ointment or medication on your baby’s skin, ensure it’s approved by the pediatrician.
