Facial Rash In Babies
Baby’s and newborn’s skin is much more susceptible to rashes than adults as it has only just begun to develop a resistance to bacteria, toxins and infections. It is common for newborns and babies to develop various types of facial rashes, and is often a physiological response to hormonal changes after birth.
They also occur as a result of the baby being exposed to many new substances such as air, clothes and detergents, as well as experiencing temperature changes outside of the mother’s womb. A facial rash may last for a few days or weeks. Those which last for a longer duration may be related to a medical condition.
Causes
Common causes of facial rashes in babies include:
- Dry and peeling skin - This can occur from childbirth. It often occurs in babies who were born later than expected. The skin underneath is usually smooth and moist. Treatment is not required and rash will subside in a few weeks.
- Neonatal acne – Neonatal acne appears as tiny red or white pimples over the face. It generally appears at around two weeks of age and will eventually disappear without treatment. It is caused by exposure to the mothers hormones in the womb.
- Toxic Erythema – Toxic Erythema appears within the first few days after birth. It exhibits as mosquito-like looking bites of a yellowish-white colour. The spots often appear and disappear over several hours, and generally treatment is not required and will eventually disappear.
- Hormone rashes also known as ‘milk rashes’ - Milk rashes appear as white and crusty pimples. They are a result of stimulation of the newborn’s oil glands in the skin which occur from hormones produced by the mother during labour. Treatment is not required and it will eventually disappear.
- Skin allergy rash – An allergy rash occurs when a baby has an immune response against a particular substance such as food consumed by a mother who is breast-feeding or an environmental trigger such as a lotion. It is important to determine the cause of the allergy and speak to your health care professional about treatment.
- Eczema – Eczema is an itchy and red rash. It is common in children who have a family history of asthma, allergies or dermatitis, and may require prescription medicine.
Management
In order to provide some relief from a particular rash for babies and newborns the following management practices are suggested:
- Use of gentle soaps,
- Use of gentle detergents,
- Apply moisturiser to sooth babies skin,
- Do not use or apply products that contain dyes or fragrances as these can cause further skin irritation.
Disclaimer
The content displayed on this webpage is intended for informational purposes and is a guide only. It does not replace or substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Information contained on this webpage must be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional before making any decisions or taking any action based on the content of this webpage.
Sources
http://www.parentscentre.org.nz/parenting/babyskincare.asp
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