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Rashes are very common in babies from as early as a few days old, as their bodies adapt to life outside the cosy womb. Most rashes are nothing to worry about and clear up pretty quickly. However, if you are concerned, and particularly if baby appears feverish, fretful or unwell, you should always check with your Pharmacist, Health Visitor or GP. Here are some common causes of baby rash:
Atopic Eczema - red, crusty patches on your baby's skin, usually appearing in the first six months of life. It is a very common complaint and children often outgrow it, but it is important to identify triggers for flare-ups and manage the condition appropriately. Babies can get it anywhere on their body, but it most commonly affects their cheeks and the joints of their arms and legs. It’s easy to confuse baby eczema with cradle cap. The Elave Baby range is specially formulated to combat dry and sensitive skin conditions among infants. The products contain only the purest, gentlest, most natural ingredients which sooth, moisturise and protect as part of a head-to-toe skincare regime. Elave Baby Intensive Cream is a clinically proven emollient rich moisturising cream with camomile extract and vitamin E. The Elave Baby range includes Shampoo, Baby Bath, Baby Lotion, Baby Oil and Nappy Creamwhich are suitable from newborn and are paediatrician and dermatologically approved.
Cradle Cap - a yellow crusty appearance on baby’s scalp, sides of nose, eyelids, eyebrows and behind the ears. Use a mild tear-free product like Elave Baby Shampoo and some soft brushing to remove the scaly skin. Small amounts of Elave Baby Oil rubbed on the scaly parts can help soften them and make them easier to remove. It usually clears up by 8 months.
Nappy Rash - change baby’s nappy often to prevent skin irritation and use cotton wool and water to clean the skin. Some time with nappy off is great for baby’s skin. Do not use baby wipes of any kind, ever! To moisturise and protect against nappy rash, use Elave Nappy Cream or the award-winning Ovelle Silcock’s Base.
Heat Rash - heat and sweat can cause small, itchy red spots. Do not apply any lotions or washes as these may block the pores and make the problem worse. A lukewarm bath with airdrying will help soothe this rash.
Intertrigo- an itchy reddish rash usually found in neck, armpit and thigh folds. It develops when skin stays moist and the folds rub together, causing friction and offering an ideal environment for the growth of yeast, bacteria and fungus. To avoid intertrigo, carefully wash and dry before gently massaging Elave Baby Oil into the affected areas to lessen the friction.
Baby Acne – pink pimples on the cheeks, nose and forehead can appear within a month after birth, but usually clear up in a few weeks or months. Washing baby’s face with water and a mild moisturiser like Elave Baby Lotion can help. Do NOT use acne medicines intended for older children and adults.
Splotches & Spots – various spots and blotches can present when a baby is born. Milia are tiny white spots which can appear on baby’s face and nose when they are a few days old. They are nothing to worry about and clear up in a few weeks without treatment. Raised red, yellow and white spots (erythema toxicum) can appear, disappear and reappear on the face, torso, upper arms and thighs. Again, they usually clear up inside a few weeks without treatment.
Other Rashes – a whole host of ailments can present with rashes in young children, including measles, scarlet fever, chicken pox, slapped cheek syndrome, impetigo and hand, foot & mouth disease. If you have any concern about a rash at any time, consult your GP or Health Visitor immediately or attend A&E.
A Word About Meningitis
On very rare occasions, a rash can mean meningitis. If your baby has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass to it, go to A&E or call 999 immediately. Other symptoms include a stiff neck, aversion to light, uncontrollable fever, shaking and confusion, and unusually cold hands and feet.
If you want more advice on caring for baby’s skin, check out the Irish Skin Foundation at irishskin.ie or
https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/caring-for-your-babys-skin.html
Elave Skincare and Ovelle ranges of dermatologically-approved free-from natural products are available at gardinerfamilyapothecary.com, Boots, Dunnes Beauty and local pharmacies.
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