Baby Skin Conditions That You Should Look Out For

This is a paid for article about baby skin conditions for you.

Bringing a baby into this world is one of the most magical experiences that’ll happen to you and your family. But with it, comes the worry that something will happen to them. When you have a fear of the birth, you will start to get anxious about what the next steps will be. And even with the help of your family and midwife, there might be moments in which you wonder if you and the little one will be ok. 

Even when you protect them as well as you possibly could, you can find that your little one develops a skin condition soon after they are born. Developing at all stages of their infancy, these skin conditions are often treatable – so there is generally nothing to panic about.

If you are expecting or you have a young baby, here are 5 of the top skin conditions that you should look out for, along with their symptoms and treatments:

Athlete’s Foot 

Starting off this list is the condition known as athlete’s foot. Often, people don’t realize that this can affect little ones – but it can affect them just as easily as adults. A type of fungal infection, tell-tale signs of athlete’s foot are:

• Dry skin on the soles of their feet
• Peeling skin between the toes
• Itchy skin

The moment that you think that your child has athlete’s foot, you should take them to the local pharmacist. They will be able to prescribe suitable medicine or cream that will kill the fungus and clear up the infection. Alongside applying this cream, they might also recommend that you also:

• Ensure that they spend plenty of time shoeless throughout the day – this will not only help to give them the air that they need, but it encourages your little ones to stretch their feet which will exercise their muscles. 
• Make sure that their socks or tights are made from either cotton or wool and cotton mix – this material is soothing and stretchy which will allow them room to develop.
• Wash their feet thoroughly and make sure that they are dry between the toes.
• Regularly apply talcum powder – which will help to keep their feet dry and healthy.

If none of these treatments works, you should contact your pediatrician and book an appointment. Seeking medical attention is always worthwhile – especially when you have a little one.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an incredibly common condition that affects millions of babies and infants around the world every year. A rash that starts as small red spots, it can appear anywhere on their body. Developing into blisters before scabbing over, they can be very itchy. As well as the rash, symptoms can include:

• A high fever
• Pains and aches in their body
• A general loss of appetite

When you start to notice a rash or any of the above symptoms, you should book an appointment with your local pediatrician. They will advise you on the appropriate treatment and after-care – which will depend on the age of your baby. They may suggest the following:

• Bathe your baby in tepid or cold water to help with the rash.
• Ensure that they have plenty of water and fluids so that they aren’t dehydrated. 
• Use a prescribed cooling gel or cream to soothe irritated skin. 
• Put cotton mitts on them to make sure that they aren’t scratching the spots (as well as regularly cutting their nails). 
• Dress your baby in loose, light cotton clothing to help keep their skin nice and cool.

Eczema

Another common skin condition, eczema can make skin dry, red and itchy. Resulting in cracked areas of skin that bleeds, eczema can appear anywhere on the body. However, the most common places for it to occur is in skin creases, such as on the neck and elbows. Flare-ups of eczema can be as a result of certain skincare products or because of a food allergy.

Although there isn’t currently a scientific reason why it occurs, many pediatricians believe that it can be due to genetics. For example, if you or your partner have it/had it as a child, the likeliness of your baby having it goes up. 

Treatment for eczema will depend on the extent of the condition and on the age of your baby. However, the most common treatments are:

• Corticosteroid cream – an anti-inflammatory medication cream, this can be used to soothe the rash. 
• Antihistamines – although these are usually used for treating other conditions, these can help to relieve the itching that comes with eczema. There are certain antihistamines available such as Zyrtec that comes in drops – but the specific type of medication will be prescribed by your pediatrician. 

Heat Rash

Often referred to as sweat rash or prickly heat, a heat rash is usually a harmless skin condition. The result of built-up sweat, it can cause itchiness and general discomfort in your baby. 

Although it’s said to clear up on its own within a few days, there are certain treatments that your pediatrician might recommend to help relieve this discomfort:

• Move your baby into a cooler room or use a mini fan – by circulating the air your baby will cool down and the rash will start to fade. Be careful, however, as you should always ensure that your baby is kept at a good temperature and that they aren’t too cold.
• Dress them in cotton clothes – cotton is known for its cooling abilities. So instead of dressing them in synthetic fabrics (e.g nylon) put them in loose cotton clothing. 
• Make sure that they are hydrated – to reduce the risk of dehydration, ensure that they are getting enough milk or water; whether it’s the middle of summer or winter.

Cradle Cap

Also known as seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is a common skin condition that makes the skin sore to the touch, swollen and red. Usually the result of an allergic reaction, it’s a rash that will also create small patches of dry skin. 

Most commonly on the neck, face and neck, it’s a skin condition that affects millions of babies around the world. Often confused with eczema, it’s a harmless condition that will usually disappear when your baby is around 12 months – 1 year old. 

Although it will clear up over time, there are certain treatments that are recommended, some of which are included in Mustela’s cradle cap guide:

• Use a gentle baby shampoo that will soothe their skin. 
• Wash them once a day to ensure that their skin doesn’t dry out.
• Install a humidifier in your home – which will keep their skin healthy and hydrated.

Final Thoughts

So there you go! Those are the top five skin conditions that you should look out for on your baby. Of course, they aren’t all of the skin conditions that your baby can get – they could also get hives, Impetigo, measles, nappy rash, etc. And it’s important to remember that the moment that you notice symptoms of these conditions that you book an appointment with your pediatrician. Even if it’s just nappy rash or heat rash, it’s always a good idea to have it checked out first – you want a happy and healthy baby after all!

Having a baby is never easy no matter whether it’s your first or fifth! And the worries that come with the process can seem daunting. But as long as you are taking the appropriate precautions, this process will be made a lot easier!