Baby rashes reasons

Baby Rash: Causes, Types, Treatments, Prevention

There are many types of rashes that affect various parts of a baby’s body.

These rashes are typically very treatable. While they may be uncomfortable, they aren’t cause for alarm. Rashes are rarely an emergency.

Sometimes, infant rashes can indicate a more serious illness. We’ll discuss different types of baby rashes, how to treat them, and when to call a doctor.

Babies have very new skin and developing immune systems. Their skin is sensitive and susceptible to many sources of irritation or infection. Causes of rashes in babies include:

heat
allergies
friction
dampness
chemicals
fragrances
fabrics

Even their own feces can irritate a baby’s skin and cause a rash. Viral and bacterial infections can also cause rashes.

Depending on the cause of the rash, almost any part of your baby’s body can be affected:

face
neck
trunk
arms
legs
hands
feet
diaper area
skin folds

Some of the most common types of infant skin rashes include:

baby acne, which usually appears on the face
cradle cap
diaper rash, which is caused by wetness or the acidity of a baby’s urine and feces
drool rash, which happens when drool irritates the skin around the mouth or on the chest
eczema, most commonly found on the face, behind the knees, and on the arms
fifth disease, which is a “slapped cheek” rash that may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and sore throat
hand, foot, and mouth disease
heat rash, usually found in areas covered by clothes, such as armpits, neck, chest, arms, torso, and legs and is caused by overheating
hives
impetigo
infectious rashes, such as measles, chickenpox, scarlet fever, and roseola
miliamolluscum contagiosum
thrush

Seek medical advice for a fever
Bring your child to a doctor if they’re experiencing a rash with a fever.

Diaper rash treatment

Diaper rash is one of the most common baby rashes. A diaper holds warmth and moisture close to the skin, and urine and feces may be acidic and very irritating to the skin. The best remedies for diaper rash include:

frequent diaper changes
wiping with a soft, wet cloth instead of pre-packaged wipes that contain alcohol and chemicals
using a barrier cream, typically containing zinc oxide, which shouldn’t be wiped off of the skin with each diaper change or it can cause more irritation
decreasing acidic foods, such as citrus and tomatoes, in your baby’s diet
washing your hands before and after diaper changes so the rash doesn’t become infected

Eczema treatment

Eczema is another very common childhood rash. If you have a family history of eczema or sensitive skin, your baby is likely to be more prone to eczema.

It may be caused by allergies or skin sensitivities to food, laundry detergent, types of fabric, or other irritants. Helpful treatments for eczema include:

keeping the area clean and dry
over-the-counter creams and ointments
oatmeal baths
determining if there’s an allergy and eliminating the allergen
working with a pediatric dermatologist to identify your baby’s triggers and how to best treat their eczema

Drool rash treatment

Drool rash and general facial rash is very common in babies. They’re developing salivary glands and teething, so it’s not uncommon for them to have drool on their face much of the time. Pacifier use, food particles, teeth growing in, and frequent face-wiping may also irritate the skin.

Drool rash typically resolves on its own in a matter of weeks, but there are some ways to help:

pat — don’t scrub — your baby’s face to dry
clean with warm water but avoid using soap on the face
have your baby wear a drool bib so their shirt doesn’t become soaked
be gentle when cleaning food off of the face
avoid fragranced lotions on the face
minimize pacifier use when possible

Some rashes, such as baby acne, go away by themselves in a matter of weeks or months. You shouldn’t use adult acne medication to treat baby acne.

Cradle cap can be treated with topical oil, such as coconut oil, gentle scrubbing with a cradle cap brush, and washing your baby’s head.

Infectious rashes such as thrush, measles, chickenpox, roseola, and scarlet fever should be evaluated by a pediatrician for the best treatment. These rashes are typically accompanied by a fever and other symptoms. They may require antibiotics or antiviral medication, or they may resolve on their own.

Fever

If your baby develops a rash accompanied by a fever or following a fever, it’s best to call your pediatrician. The cause may be infectious and you should have your child evaluated by a doctor.

Learn more about signs of fevers and low temperatures in babies, and what to do.

Rash for a week

If your baby has a rash that persists for more than a week, doesn’t respond to home remedies, or is causing your baby pain or irritation, you should call your doctor.

Rash spreads

If your baby develops widespread hives, especially around the mouth, or develops hives accompanied by coughing, vomiting, wheezing, or other respiratory symptoms you should go to the emergency room. This may be a sign of a very serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Emergency signs

A rash accompanied by a very high fever, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, neurological changes, or uncontrollable shaking may be caused by meningitis and is considered a medical emergency.

While rashes in babies are very common, there are some steps you can take to help prevent a rash. Preventive steps that some people try include:

frequent diaper changes
keeping skin clean and dry
using irritant-free laundry detergent or detergent specially formulated for babies
dressing your baby in breathable fabrics, such as cotton
dressing your baby appropriately for the weather to avoid overheating
keeping track of any skin reactions to foods so you can avoid trigger foods
keeping your child up-to-date on vaccinations
not letting strangers or anyone with symptoms of illness kiss your baby
using lotions, shampoos, and soaps specifically designed for a baby’s sensitive skin

It can be alarming when your baby develops a rash, especially if they seem to be sick, itchy, or uncomfortable. It can also be difficult to determine the cause of the rash.

The good news is that rashes tend to be very treatable and aren’t usually serious. Many are even preventable and can be managed at home.

If you’re concerned about your child’s rash, or the rash is accompanied by a fever, call your pediatrician. They can help determine what is causing your baby’s rash and how to treat it.

Causes, Types, Treatment, and More

If your baby’s on the move or it’s just hot where you are, they’re bound to sweat. This means there’s a chance of them getting a heat rash, especially in warmer weather.

Kids and babies already tend to have higher body temperatures than adults. Add crawling, cruising, running, and climbing to that, and their temperatures climb even higher.

So, if you notice a skin rash when you unbundle your baby, it could be a heat rash, known as miliaria. Below are things you can do and look out for.

Heat rash happens when sweat ducts in the skin are blocked and sweat gets trapped, creating fluid-filled bumps on the skin.

In most cases, the bumps show up where there’s friction, like where one body part rubs against another, or where tight-fitting clothes rub against the skin.

Did your baby wake up with a rash?

Heat rash can sometimes occur while children are sleeping. If pajamas are bulky, blankets are too heavy, or the fabric doesn’t breathe, these items could be trapping heat and perspiration.

Try these tips:

Use a light blanket.
Layer blankets.
Opt for breathable cotton sleepwear.

If temperatures drop and your baby’s room becomes too cool for comfortable sleeping, it’s better to layer light blankets so you can remove one when the room warms back up.

There are multiple types of heat rash.

Miliaria crystallina

Miliaria crystallina is the mildest type of heat rash. It affects the top layer of skin, which is called the epidermis.

You might see small, clear, blister-like bumps on the surface of your baby’s skin. The bumps aren’t painful. They don’t usually itch, but the lesions can sometimes break open if they’re scratched.

If your baby has a rash, consider putting mittens on their hands to prevent scratching and open wounds.

Miliaria rubra

This red, bumpy rash affects the mid-epidermis, a deeper layer of the outer skin. Miliaria rubra is often called prickly heat because the bumps on the skin can be tender. They can sting or itch, too.

Miliaria rubra is the most common type of heat rash. The rash can cause discomfort and pain. Babies may be irritable while it’s healing.

Sometimes miliaria rubra can develop pustules. This form of the condition is called miliaria pustulosa.

Miliaria profunda

Miliaria profunda affects the deepest layer of skin (the dermis). It’s very rare among babies and toddlers. It occurs when sweat leaks out of the glands, forming fluid-filled pockets under the skin.

The bumps are skin-colored, not clear or red. They’re usually much bigger and tougher than the bumps from other types of heat rash. Although it may look milder, the effects can be more serious.

Symptoms of heat rash include:

small bumps that may be clear, red, or skin-colored
redness
itchiness or a stinging feeling, in some cases

The most commonly affected zones on children’s bodies are:

neck folds
elbow and knee creases
armpits
inner thighs

Most of the time, heat rash starts clearing up on its own as soon as you cool off your baby. There are several at-home treatments to start healing the rash:

Cool the skin

You can cool the skin by removing extra layers of clothing or by moving to a cooled indoor space. If your baby’s been outside in heat and humidity, remove damp clothing and turn on a fan to dry their skin.

Apply water

For small rash patches. If the affected area is relatively small — just a patch on the back of the neck or in the creases of the elbows — gently dab a cool, wet cloth on the rash to relieve tenderness and bring down the skin temperature.
For larger rash areas. You can also give your baby a cool bath for at least 10 minutes, but don’t use soap — it could further irritate the skin. Afterward, let their skin air dry. Supervise your baby at all times during the bath.

Try a steroid cream

It’s important to keep kids from scratching if the rash is itchy. Broken blisters can lead to skin infection.

If it seems that the rash is bothersome to your baby, you can smooth some over-the-counter (OTC) 1 percent hydrocortisone cream onto the bumpy area.

Since steroids can have side effects, discuss their use with your child’s doctor beforehand.

Avoid hydrocortisone ointments that contain petroleum or mineral oil. They can block pores and keep sweat from naturally evaporating.

Use calamine lotion or anhydrous lanolin

If your child has a more severe type of heat rash, calamine lotion can help stop any itching.

Anhydrous lanolin — the kind found in nipple treatments for people who breastfeed — can help keep sweat ducts clear and open.

When to take your baby to a doctor

Heat rash usually clears up on its own within 1 week. If your baby’s skin hasn’t cleared up by then, or if the rash gets worse or looks infected, it may be time to talk with a pediatrician.

As with any rash, if your child develops a fever when the rash appears, it’s also a good idea to check with a doctor. They could prescribe a different steroid cream or advise you on using antihistamines to treat the problem.

Babies are at an increased risk of heat rash due to their higher body temperatures and undeveloped sweat ducts.

Other risk factors for heat rash, in babies or in older children and adults, include:

sweating
living in a hot, humid, or tropical climate
having a fever
wearing clothing that sticks to the skin

There are multiple steps you can take to help your baby avoid heat rash.

Pause

When you’re at the park or on the playground, check to be sure your child isn’t getting overheated during playtime.

If you notice damp clothing or flushed skin, remove a layer of clothing or move to a shady or air-conditioned space for a while.

Keep them hydrated

Whether you’re playing in cold or warm temperatures, make sure to take frequent breaks for milk or water. When your baby’s hydrated, body temperatures are more likely to stay at healthy levels.

Dress them in layers

If you’re headed out to play in cold weather, dress your baby in clothing made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the skin.

Be cautious about adding too many layers. When kids romp vigorously, layers can trap body heat and sweat. The best practice is to dress your child about as warmly as you’d be in the same temperatures.

Look for proper sleepwear

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that a child’s pajamas (from 9 months to size 14) fit close to the skin and not too loosely.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of flame-retardant sleepwear and clothing due to the risk of serious injury from burns.

Keep these recommendations in mind when purchasing sleepwear.

For example, cotton is one natural fiber that allows your child’s body to release heat and sweat. Some cotton items may be pretreated with a special chemical that also makes them flame retardant.

Re-rinse laundry

Detergent or residue from laundering may stay in fabrics and cause skin irritation or contribute to heat rashes. Adjusting your laundry routine a little might help reduce how often heat rashes happen.

Try adding an additional rinse cycle or adjusting your detergent levels. Learn more about laundry detergent rashes.

Heat rash is a skin condition that comes from blocked sweat ducts. The bumps could be clear, red, or skin-colored, depending on how severe the rash is. The bumps might be sore or itchy.

Most of the time, the rash will go away on its own as soon as you cool off your baby’s skin. You can also treat it with cool water, hydrocortisone cream, or calamine lotion.

If the rash doesn’t clear up in a few days, talk with a doctor to be sure your baby’s skin hasn’t become infected. The doctor may prescribe other creams or antihistamines to help with recovery.

Rashes on the child's body

Many parents have noticed suspicious rashes on the body of their children. This symptom indicates the presence of any disease of the body or simply its painful condition. In any case, a rash on a child's body can be very dangerous. Therefore, if you notice a rash on the skin, you should immediately make an appointment with the child's pediatrician.

Rash Help

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Causes of rashes

A rash in children can appear for various reasons. The most “safe” case is when rashes appear due to poor hygiene. In addition, the cause of the rash is allergies, blood diseases, cardiovascular diseases, as well as infections and microbes. In the case of an infection, a rash is not the only symptom: fever, runny nose, sore throat, severe cough, chills, etc. are added to it. Often infections are accompanied by indigestion and vomiting. The rash in such cases does not occur immediately, but appears after a few days.

Rash most often occurs as a symptom of diseases that are commonly referred to as "children's". We are talking about chicken pox, rubella, measles, scarlet fever and some other infections that people get sick, mainly in childhood. Moreover, depending on the disease, the nature of the rash changes, so that doctors can diagnose only one type of rash. The most dangerous rash, which refers to the symptoms of meningitis.

Diseases causing rashes on the skin of children

Let's analyze the types of rash in a child in more detail, depending on the disease.

Chicken pox. Perhaps the most famous disease that is accompanied by a rash. With chickenpox, reddish spots appear on the entire surface of the body, which grow and become bubbles filled with a clear liquid. The growth of the bubbles is accompanied by itching, but over time they dry out and fall off, sometimes leaving characteristic “pockmarks”. Chicken pox often causes fever, and doctors recommend treating blisters of the rash with brilliant green.
Measles. Initially, a rash in the form of large red spots appears on the face, but literally within 2-3 days it spreads “from top to bottom” along the body to the very legs. In addition, the child begins to have a sore throat, runny nose and cough, and the temperature rises. The largest spots merge into large inflamed areas.
Meningococcal infection. The most dangerous infection, as it causes meningitis. It is very important to recognize the disease in time, as it develops very quickly. The rash is expressed in the form of large spots resembling bruises. If you see a doctor as soon as possible, the chances of a cure are very high.

Rubella. The rash is accompanied by fever and inflammation of the lymph nodes. A rash on the body of a child in the form of small red spots appears mainly on the buttocks and in the places where the limbs are bent. After a few days, the rash disappears without leaving any consequences.
Scarlet fever. With scarlet fever, a rash in the form of small pimples appears on the second day all over the body, but their highest concentration is noted in the groin, in the places of the folds of the arms and legs and in the lower abdomen. After a few days, the rash disappears, and the skin in these places begins to peel off strongly. Also during the peak of the disease, swelling, rash and redness of the entire skin are noted.
Enteroviral infection. Redness and rash appear on the third day after infection and last for about two to three days. Their other symptoms, doctors note vomiting, diarrhea, fever and general weakness of the body.
Parasites. In this case, the rash is not caused by infections, but by scabies mites or other parasites that live on the human body. The scabies mite "drills" holes in the skin, leaving entrances and exits in the form of dots. The most “attractive” parts of the body for a tick are places with thin skin: groin, wrists, areas between fingers, etc. Since the tick can be transmitted from one person to another, urgent treatment is necessary after the detection of this pathology.
Cardiovascular diseases. As a rule, these diseases are not typical for children, although they occur in them. Vascular disease can be recognized by small hemorrhages under the skin. Larger areas form bruises.

Other causes of rashes

Sometimes, even with all the rules of hygiene and the absence of diseases, a rash on the body of a child appears with enviable regularity. In this case, it is most likely an allergic reaction of the body to various substances. If this is true, then allergies can be recognized by other symptoms that will inevitably appear along with the rash: a runny nose, cough, tears, and itching. Also, a rash on the body of a child may appear from burns by plants or insect bites. Even a simple mosquito bite often causes a severe rash in children, which is accompanied by itching.

And, of course, very often a rash appears due to poor hygiene. Unlike adults, children's skin is much thinner and more delicate, so even a short-term lack of care for it can lead to a rash. Children, especially the smallest, should be washed and washed regularly. But wearing a lot of clothes on him or leaving him in wet diapers is not worth it - this can lead to diaper rash, irritation, and a rash.

Rash Help

If you find a rash on your child's body, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You can make an appointment at our Poem Health clinic. In addition, you can call a doctor at home if the child is in a serious condition. Moreover, sometimes a doctor's house call is mandatory, since many diseases with symptoms in the form of a rash are easily transmitted to such children. You need to be especially careful with rubella, as it seriously affects the health of pregnant women. And if you suspect meningitis, you need to call not just a doctor, but an ambulance team.

Do not try to get rid of the rash on your own before seeing a doctor. Firstly, it will make it difficult for a doctor to determine the diagnosis. Secondly, it can lead to even more rashes in the child. It is best to wait for the examination of the doctor and listen to his recommendations for further treatment of the rash. Bacterial rashes are treated with antibiotics, scabies - with special means against ticks, allergies - with appropriate drugs with isolation from the source of allergies, etc. More complex treatment is needed for cardiovascular diseases, but, in the end, a rash on the body of a child is always treated successfully.

Rash Prevention

To avoid a rash on the body, measures must be taken to prevent it. First of all, we are talking about the basic rules of personal hygiene. At the earliest age, parents should take care of this, later they should teach this to their child as early as possible. Compliance with hygiene helps to get rid of not only rashes, sweating and dirt, but also prevents many infectious diseases.

In addition, infections can be prevented by vaccination. Some of them are done once and for life, others need to be done periodically. Doctors have a vaccination schedule for different ages, so it's best for parents to trust their pediatrician. As for the rash due to allergies, this is often associated with age-related changes. As a child grows, their immune system strengthens, but at an early age, if there are problems, you should follow a diet and take drugs as directed by doctors.

Rash in a child on body, legs, back

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