How to Prevent and Treat Infant Neck Rash
Intertrigo, commonly known as infant neck rash, is a common problem that affects many babies. It's a reddish rash that mostly appears between the fat folds of your babies neck. It can also affect your babies arms, legs, underarms, etc. It isn't dangerous and you can easily treat it yourself if you pay attention to it.
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Instructions
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To prevent intertrigo (infant neck rash), keep your babies neck clean and dry. This can be difficult at times because your baby doesn't know you need him to look up!
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During feedings, put a bib on your infant. This will actually catch quite a bit of formula or milk. If you find it's not enough, get a small wash cloth and place it under your babies chin. If you notice your baby stretches his neck while feeding, take advantage of that and get the cloth in there.
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Bathe your baby every other day and when you do, use your fingers and get some soap into the folds. You will probably feel the dirt, lint and dried formula that has been accumulating. When you're done, make sure you take a towel and dry the area well. Don't rub or push down too hard.
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To treat intertrigo (infant neck rash), do the same things to prevent it but after you bathe your baby and dry under his neck, put a small amount of baby powder between the fat folds. Take extreme caution while doing this. Use a travel size bottle of powder and don't fully open the holes. Use your fingers to lift your baby's head back as far as he will let you and dab the powder onto his neck. Use your fingers to spread it around.
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Prevention is the best method but you baby will most likely get intertrigo at some time or another. It's not a sign that you aren't taking good care of your baby and you can take some comfort in knowing that underweight babies don't get intertrigo, so your little one is putting on weight as he should.
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Pay very close attention to the intertrigo. It is a rash and therefore a break in the integrity of the skin. Because of this, it is possible for it to develop an infection. If the rash starts to spread, has an odor or crust to it or you notice your baby has a fever, talk to your pediatrician right away. Keeping it dry and using small amounts of baby powder will not treat an infection.
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Tips & Warnings
If you notice intertrigo, bring it up to your pediatrician at your next visit as long as it's not showing signs of infection
If you do notice signs of infection(spreading, odor, crust, bleeding, fever), call your doctor right away.
