Baby-Skin Problem Guide
| NAME | DESCRIPTION | CAUSE | TREATMENT |
| Baby acne | A pimply, oily rash that resembles teenaged acne; it appears around 2 to 3 weeks after birth and may last 3 to 6 months. | May be related to maternal hormones still circulating in the baby’s body and immature pores and sweat glands. | Keep the area clean, but don’t squeeze, scrub with soap, or apply strong medicine since this will only aggravate the condition and could cause scarring. Keep the baby’s fingernails short to prevent scratching. Consult your baby’s doctor if the condition doesn’t quickly resolve. In some cases, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction. |
| Cradle cap (seborrhea) | Greasy, scaly scalp with dandruff-like patches that form over a rash; it appears on your baby’s scalp, face, and other parts of the body. | Unknown, but may be related to dandruff. | Massage your baby’s scalp gently with natural oil, such as cold-pressed vegetable oil, and allow about 15 minutes for it to be absorbed. Then use a fine-toothed comb to remove the scales, and wash off the excess scales with a mild baby shampoo or a shampoo containing selenium sulfide. Consult your baby’s physician if it doesn’t disappear quickly. If it spreads, it could be a sign of a yeast infection or an allergic reaction. |
| Diaper rash (atopic dermatitis) | A number of types: red marks from diaper chafing; redness around the anus; bright red rash in diaper area folds and creases; and boil-like eruptions. | May be caused by the breakdown of the baby’s skin when urine and bowel movements interact; can be exacerbated by a yeast or strep infection, an allergic reaction to something the baby has eaten, or chemical residues in fabric or disposable diapers. | Apply thick, protective layers of zincoxide-based creams, expose to fresh air, and seek medical help for rashes that don’t disappear quickly. (For more information, COMMON BABY SKIN PROBLEMS in this chapter.) |
| Heat rash (“prickly heat”) | A bumpy rash made up of tiny red spots that appear on a baby’s chest, armpits, or body creases, especially during hot weather. | Clogged sweat glands as perspiration builds up in warm weather. | Dress the baby in loose, absorbent all-cotton clothing. Giving more frequent baths may help to resolve it. |
| Milia | Tiny white spots that appear across the nose or on the face. | May be related to when the baby’s sweat glands begin to operate. It is harmless and will disappear on its own. Don’t be tempted to squeeze or pick the bumps, since this could cause infection. | It is harmless and will disappear on its own. Don’t be tempted to squeeze or pick the bumps, since this could cause infection. |
| Sunburn | Red, hot, inflamed skin that appears within hours after overexposure to the sun. Babies sunburn very quickly and the effects can be severe, but the redness may not be immediately visible. May cause blistering, headache, and vomiting. | Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. | Keep your baby out of the direct sun, especially during the morning hours, and apply 50 SPF sunscreen made specifically for babies to prevent burning. (Also protect your baby’s eyes with sunglasses or a sun shield.) For sunburn, apply cool-water compresses using a soft washcloth for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Pure aloe vera gel may also help. Severe symptoms such as vomiting, burns, and blistering should be treated by a medical professional. |