How to Treat Infant Skin Problems
Babies, especially newborns, are highly susceptible to skin problems. Typical skin problems for babies are rashes, dermatitis, dry skin, cradle cap and even baby acne. Most of these can be treated successfully at home with just a few easy remedies.
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Things You'll Need
- Zinc oxide cream
- Baby detergent (for sensitive skin)
- Baby soap (for sensitive skin)
- Baby sunscreen
- Baby moisturizing lotion (for sensitive skin)
Instructions
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Keep the baby's diaper as loose as you can. Because many rashes in the diaper area occur because the diaper is too tight or the area is wet, try to keep the diaper loose to let the skin breathe.
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Apply a zinc oxide cream to the diaper area after you've washed the area. This will soothe the skin and prevent a larger rash from developing.
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Wash any areas that are affected with a dry, scaly or red rash with warm water and a gentle baby soap made for sensitive skin. This type of rash is usually a sign of atopic dermatitis or eczema and commonly shows up in babies who have a family history of these illnesses and allergies. Don't overmoisturize the skin---just use a small amount of moisturizer or eczema cream that's recommended by your baby's doctor.
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Wash your baby's head with a special shampoo or oil that is recommended by your baby's doctor if your baby exhibits signs of cradle cap. Cradle cap is caused by a buildup of oil on the skin. Symptoms for cradle cap, according to WebMD.com, include a "scaly, waxy, red rash on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, the sides of the nose, or behind the ears."
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Dress your baby in layers. Babies can develop red bumps (called prickly heat) if they have wet, sweaty skin that's not able to dry. If this is the case with your baby, dress her in layers so that you can remove certain items as she gets hot.
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Wash your baby's clothes in a gentle detergent made especially for babies. Normal laundry detergents can be too harsh for a baby's delicate skin, so choose a detergent that's specially formulated for baby clothes.
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Protect your baby's skin from the sun by using sunscreen specifically designed for babies (you can even use something as strong as zinc oxide for the nose and cheeks). Remember that baby skin is extremely delicate, so it's important to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using baby powder--- most powders are made up of tiny particles of talcum. Babies can breathe in these powders and perhaps even develop lung problems.
If your child develops a skin condition that doesn't go away with at-home treatments, or if the skin condition is accompanied by symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, you should immediately call your child's doctor for further treatment. This may be a sign of a more serious condition.
