How to Check Common Infant Skin Ailments

Most parents are well-versed in treating colds, fevers and runny noses, but when a child has a rash or irritation on their skin, tons of possible ailments run through your mind. Some children are just born with skin issues. Other times, warm weather brings with it many skin disorders, from itchy bugs to burns. Use this guide to understand common skin issues and how best to treat them.

Instructions

Common Newborn Skin Ailments

1. Recognize diaper rash. It's probably the most common skin rash for a baby. It's a red, swollen rash that can be very painful for your baby, especially when urine sits against the open sores.

2. Change diapers often. Be careful of the use of baby wipes since some contain alcohol and can burn the already sore bottom. Make sure to let the skin dry. Use a mixture of equal parts zinc oxide and hydrocortisone cream (lowest dose available) and apply to the rash until it's gone.

3. Treat cradle cap. This is simply a red, scaly, itchy rash located on your baby's head. Bothersome as it is, it will usually disappear before your child's first birthday. Use a shampoo to gently remove the scales and apply mineral oil to lift additional scales. If your child's condition worsens or seems to irritate him, contact your doctor for options.

4. Identify eczema. This is simply dry, flaky skin normally caused by cold or dry weather. Apply baby lotion in the folds of the skin and limit baths and soap usage.

5. Ignore infant acne! Yes, it looks just like acne, but do not attempt to pop or pick at the red pimples or whiteheads. These are caused by the surge of hormones that were circulating through their bodies while in the womb and are now trying to find a release. If left alone, the acne should clear. Consult your doctor if it does not.

Summertime Skin Disorders

1. Recognize heat rash or sunburn immediately. Unfortunately, this is common on infants whose tender, young skin is ultrasensitive to the sun's rays. Heat rash is marked by tiny red bumps that are normally in folds of skin or areas where your baby may sweat. Sunburn is pink or red skin that if burned badly will blister and peel.

2. Keep infants in cool, shaded areas and always apply sunblock with a high SPF when leaving the house. Fight the urge to wrap and cover infants when temperatures rise and wipe any sweat from inside the folds of their skin, on their backs, in armpits and behind knees.

3. Notice those hives. These are small red bumps that may be pea-sized or even larger and normally indicate an allergic reaction to something. They seem to come on suddenly and may disappear just as quickly. Rarely are hives serious.

4. Find the cause and keep your baby from it. It may be something that you ate if breastfeeding, or your infant might have come in contact with something that caused the reaction. Either way, it may take a painstaking approach of trial and error to track down the culprit. If you notice your baby is uncomfortable, contact your doctor to see what type of topical cream or allergy medication is safe for your infant.

5. Beware of poison ivy or poison oak! A lovely hike with your child in a pack can inadvertently expose them to this painful irritant. After exposure it can take up to 48 hours to appear. Watch for redness and swelling that will eventually blister and can be extremely itchy.

6. Wash their skin thoroughly with cool water and soap, ideally within minutes of a possible encounter with a three-leafed plant. If the rash does occur, soak your infant in lukewarm oatmeal baths to help ease her itching and pain. An infant cannot express her discomfort, so watch for signs and make sure to take steps to make your child comfortable. It can take upward of 10 days for this rash to disappear.

7. Identify and treat bug bites. Most noticeably this will be a small, red bump anywhere on your infant. Tick bites are not noticeable and may not cause pain in your infant, but it's essential that they be found as soon as possible. Spray your infant liberally with bug spray. If a bug bites, check the bump for a stinger and try to remove with tweezers, then apply ice to the welt. If you spot a tick, remove it by pulling it straight out with tweezers. Do not be concerned if the head remains in the skin; they carry disease in their bodies, and once dead, the heads are harmless and the body will naturally expel the head with shedding of skin cells.

Tips & Warnings

• If you notice anything other than a mild reaction to any type of skin ailment, take your infant to her pediatrician immediately, since it could be a serious reaction that could result in death.