Scaly rash on face baby

Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) in Infants (for Parents)

Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD

Dermatology (Skin Care) at Nemours Children's Health

en español Costra láctea (dermatitis seborreica) en los bebés

What Is Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap is the common term for seborrheic dermatitis (seb-eh-REE-ik dur-muh-TYE-tis) of the scalp in infants.

Seborrheic dermatitis, also called seborrhea (seb-eh-REE-uh), can show up:

• on the scalp
• on the forehead and face
• behind the ears
• in the diaper area, armpits, and other skin folds and creases

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)?

Babies can develop seborrheic dermatitis when they're between 2 weeks and 12 months old. It usually starts with cradle cap. A baby with cradle cap will have slightly red scaly or crusty yellow patches on the scalp. It may also start on the face or diaper area and spread to other parts of the body.

Seborrhea looks:

• red and moist in skin creases and folds (like the neck and behind the ears)
• yellowish with greasy patches or crusts
• scaly or flaky

Seborrheic dermatitis might look uncomfortable or irritating to the skin. But it usually isn't itchy and doesn't seem to bother infants.

What Causes Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)?

The exact cause of cradle cap isn't known. It's likely due to a combination of things. Too much skin oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles and a type of yeast found on the skin called Malassezia may play roles in the development of seborrheic dermatitis.

How Is Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) Diagnosed?

Health care professionals can diagnose cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis by the way the skin looks and where the rash is. Babies with seborrheic dermatitis are usually well and the condition should get better on its own or with treatment.

How Is Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) Treated?

Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually clears up on its own in weeks or months. In the meantime, you may want to loosen and remove the scales on your baby's scalp:

• Wash your baby's hair once a day with mild, tear-free baby shampoo.
• Gently remove scales with a soft brush or toothbrush.
• If the scales don't loosen easily, apply a small amount of mineral oil or petroleum jelly to your baby's scalp. Let the oil to soak into the scales for a few minutes to several hours, if needed. Then use a soft brush or toothbrush to remove scales. Shampoo your baby's hair as usual.

If regular shampooing doesn't help, your doctor may recommend a mild steroid cream or antifungal shampoo.

For seborrhea on other parts of the body, your doctor may recommend a mild steroid or antifungal cream.

Do not use over-the-counter steroid or antifungal creams or anti-seborrhea shampoos without checking first with the doctor.

What Else Should I Know?

Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper area or skin folds can get infected. Talk to your doctor if the rash gets worse or there are any signs of infection (the skin looks red, starts to drain fluid, or feels warm).

Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually get better by 12 months of age. Seborrhea may come back around puberty as dandruff.

Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD

Date reviewed: March 2023

Rash on a baby's face: Pictures, causes, and treatments

In babies, most facial rashes are harmless and tend to clear up without treatment. Causes can include eczema, acne, and infection.

Sometimes, however, a rash on a baby’s face can indicate a more serious condition.

Being able to distinguish between different rashes can help a parent or caregiver know when to seek professional advice.

In this article, we describe common facial rashes in babies, treatments, and when to see a doctor.

Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause the skin to become rough, irritated, itchy, and inflamed.

These conditions are common in young children, often appearing between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. Many children grow out of their eczema.

According to the National Eczema Association in the United States, if eczema develops within the first 6 months of life, it tends to appear on the cheeks, chin, forehead, or scalp. The rash will be dry, red, and itchy.

Between the ages of 6 and 12 months, eczema may develop in other parts of the body. The elbows and knees are particularly susceptible when babies start to crawl.

Treatment

Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, experts believe that both genetic and environmental factors can play a role.

Certain environmental triggers may over-activate the immune system, causing inflammation and skin irritation.

When trying to establish the cause of a child’s eczema, it may help to keep a diary of symptoms and potential triggers. By avoiding these triggers, it may be possible to prevent flare-ups of symptoms.

Below are some common triggers of eczema in babies:

• heat and sweating
• dry skin
• irritants, such as soaps, washing detergents, and cigarette smoke
• allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander
• certain fabrics, such as wool and nylon

Treatments for eczema include:

• over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizers
• prescription creams and ointments, such as steroid creams
• immunosuppressant drugs
• phototherapy

A doctor can consult with a pediatric dermatologist and recommend a course of treatment. They can also advise about triggers and how to avoid them.

Check that over-the-counter treatments are suitable for infants.

Seborrheic dermatitis causes a rash to develop on areas of skin that contain many oil-producing glands.

In babies, the rash mainly appears on the scalp, and people commonly refer to it as cradle cap. However, cradle cap can also affect the cheeks, particularly around the eyes and nose.

The rash may have the following characteristics:

• redness and inflammation
• an oily or greasy appearance
• white or yellow scaly or crusty patches

Treatment

Cradle cap is generally harmless and usually disappears between 6 and 12 months of age.

If the child is not experiencing any discomfort, treatment may not be necessary.

For mild symptoms, OTC medications, such as antifungal creams and medicated shampoos, may help to relieve discomfort and speed healing. However, talk to a doctor before using these products on an infant.

If the rash is scaly, applying mineral oil or petroleum jelly to the baby’s scalp 1 hour before using an anti-dandruff shampoo can help loosen and remove the scales.

For babies with more severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe topical steroids to reduce inflammation.

Particularly severe cradle cap can increase the risk of infection. See a doctor immediately, if the baby’s skin:

• feels hot
• oozes fluid
• gives off an unpleasant odor

Around 40–50 percent of healthy newborns develop milia, which are tiny white or yellow bumps about 1–3 mm in size.

Milia result from blocked pores and typically develop on the face, often around the eye and nose. The bumps can appear in large numbers, and usually a roughly equal number form on each side of the face.

In babies, milia can also develop in the mouth. In this case, the medical name is Epstein pearls.

Treatment

Milia tends to clear up on their own within a few weeks, once the pores open up.

No treatment is usually necessary. Avoid using creams and ointments on the baby’s skin, as these can further clog the pores and lead to more milia.

Newborn, or neonatal, acne causes small, red pimples to develop, usually around 2–6 weeks of age. However, some babies are born with them.

The medical term for acne that develops between 6 weeks and 6 months of age infantile acne, and we discuss this below.

Neonatal acne affects around 20 percent of newborns, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

The pimples tend to develop on the baby’s cheeks and nose, but breakouts can also appear on the:

• forehead
• chin
• scalp
• neck
• chest
• upper back

Treatment

Generally, newborn acne is not a cause for concern. It is unlikely to cause scarring and tends to clear up without treatment after a few weeks or months.

Parents and caregivers should:

• gently wash the baby’s skin with lukewarm water
• avoid scrubbing affected areas
• avoid oily or greasy skincare products
• seek advice from the child’s doctor before using acne medicines or cleansing products

Infantile acne develops in babies older than 6 weeks. It typically appears between 3 and 6 months of age.

Infantile acne is less common than newborn acne. Symptoms can be more severe and may require treatment.

Before treating infantile acne, it is important to rule out other conditions, such as such as eczema and infections, which are more common in this age group.

Treatment

Infantile acne usually clears up within 6–12 months after it first appears.

After diagnosis, a dermatologist can advise about treating the acne and preventing scarring. If they suspect that the acne results from an underlying medical condition, they may consult a specialist.

A doctor can diagnose the cause of a rash.

Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection. Anyone can get it, but it most commonly develops in school-aged children.

Other names for the syndrome include fifth disease and erythema infectiosum. It results from infection with the B19 parvovirus.

The defining characteristic is a bright red rash on one or both cheeks. The rash is not usually painful. It typically appears within 4–14 days of infection.

The cheek rash often disappears in a few days, but another rash may develop on areas such as the chest, arms, and legs. This rash usually lasts for 7–10 days, but it may come and go.

The rash on the body is usually blotchy and light in color. It can be itchy, but it is not typically painful.

Slapped cheek syndrome can also cause the following symptoms:

• a fever of 38°C or higher
• a headache
• a runny nose
• a sore throat

Children can initially pass the infection to other children, but it usually stops being contagious once the rash appears.

Treatment

The symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome are usually mild, and the underlying infection typically clears up without treatment.

OTC medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help relieve any discomfort. However, speak to a doctor before giving these drugs to babies or young children.

Never give a child aspirin, as it may increase the risk of a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Most rashes on babies’ faces are harmless. They usually clear up on their own.

However, a rash in this area can indicate an infection or an underlying health condition.

See a doctor if the rash is severe, or if the baby has:

• fluid-filled blisters
• a fever
• a loss of appetite
• red streaks extending from the rash
• tiny red or purple spots that do not fade when someone applies pressure
• swollen lymph nodes
• lethargy
• a cough

Facial rashes are common in babies and young children. The many possible causes include eczema, acne, and infection.

Most rashes clear up without treatment. However, see a doctor if a rash is severe or persistent, or if it accompanies other symptoms.

Read the article in Spanish.

Rash in a child on the body, legs, back

We treat children according to the principles of evidence-based medicine: we choose only those diagnostic and treatment methods that have proven their effectiveness. We will never prescribe unnecessary examinations and medicines!

Make an appointment via WhatsApp

Prices Doctors

The first children's clinic of evidence-based medicine in Moscow

No unnecessary examinations and medicines! We will prescribe only what has proven effective and will help your child.

Treatment according to world standards

We treat children with the same quality as in the best medical centers in the world.

The best team of doctors in Fantasy!

Pediatricians and subspecialists Fantasy - highly experienced doctors, members of professional societies. Doctors constantly improve their qualifications, undergo internships abroad.

Ultimate treatment safety

We made pediatric medicine safe! All our staff work according to the most stringent international standards JCI

We have fun, like visiting best friends

Game room, cheerful animator, gifts after the reception. We try to make friends with the child and do everything to make the little patient feel comfortable with us.

You can make an appointment by calling or by filling out the form on the website

Other Pediatric services

• Pediatrician's consultation
• Child Health Management Program

Frequent calls

• Acute bronchiolitis in children: diagnosis and treatment
• SARS
• Angina streptococcal tonsillitis
• Frequently ill child
• Intestinal infections
• Pneumonia (pneumonia) in children
• Colic
• Feeding problems
• Prolonged cough in a child: diagnosis and treatment
• Acute bronchitis in children: diagnosis and treatment
• Pneumonia (pneumonia) in children: diagnosis and treatment
• False croup in a child
• Coxsackie virus in a child
• The child was bitten by a tick! What to do?

Online payment

Documents online

Online services

How to Diagnose Causes of Rashes in Babies

How to Diagnose Rashes in Babies and Children: There are many causes of rashes in babies and children, and most often they are not dangerous to health. Primary diagnosis of rashes will require consultation with a general practitioner or pediatrician.

Quick navigation

Meningitis rash

Call your doctor or pediatrician immediately if your child has a rash, feels unwell, or has one of the following symptoms:

• neck stiffness;
• hypersensitivity to light;
• high temperature;
• rash does not disappear with glass test;
• shortness of breath, shortness of breath or very rapid breathing;
• skin, lips, or tongue appear pale, blue, gray, or mottled.

These symptoms may be signs of meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges. On brown and black skin, it may be harder to see the change in skin color, so the feet, palms, lips, tongue, and inner eyelids should be checked.

Rash on the cheeks with high fever

Rash on one or both cheeks in combination with high fever, runny nose, sore throat and headache may be slap syndrome. After a few days from the first elements, a rash may appear all over the body. Slap syndrome usually resolves on its own within 3 weeks without specific treatment. Children's paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to bring down a high fever.

Hand and foot blisters and mouth ulcers

Hand-foot-mouth disease or Coxsackievirus is a common childhood illness that causes blisters on the hands and feet and mouth sores, as well as high fever and sore throat. Usually the condition improves in 7-10 days. Paracetamol for children can be used as an antipyretic in children of all ages.

Small rash on face and body

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that causes a rash that looks like a pin prick and feels rough like sandpaper. The rash may be red, but is less noticeable on brown and black skin. Scarlet fever usually begins with a white coating on the tongue, sore throat, headache, and high fever. It is necessary to contact the pediatrician as soon as possible if there is a suspicion that the child has scarlet fever. This infection is treated with antibiotics.

Measles

Measles usually starts with the same symptoms as a cold, plus high fever, inflammation of the eyes. After a few days, a patchy rash appears on the head or neck, which spreads to the whole body. The spots are usually small and may be red or brown. If you suspect a disease, you should also immediately seek medical help.

Rash with itching

Miliaria

Heat and sweat can cause raised spots on the body, known as prickly heat or heat rash. It usually looks red or pink. The rash is itchy, so the parent may notice that the child is itchy and restless. Heat rash usually goes away on its own after a few days.

Atopic dermatitis

Itchy, dry and chapped skin may be atopic eczema, which is most common on the knees, elbows and neck but can appear anywhere. The affected area of ​​the body may change color and look pink or red. On brown and black skin, it may appear gray, purple, or darker than the surrounding skin. Atopic eczema is accompanied by a feeling of itching.

Raised, itchy patches or plaques

Urticaria causes an itchy rash raised above the skin.

A rash may be a sign of an allergic reaction to an insect sting, medicine, or food. The patient usually gets better after a few days. If the child continues to develop new elements of this type of rash, you need to see a doctor, as most likely it is an allergy to something.

Itchy round rash

An itchy, dry, ring-shaped patch on the skin may be ringworm. The patch may look red, pink, silver, or darker than the surrounding healthy skin. Treatment is carried out by a pediatrician or dermatologist.

Small spots and blisters

Chickenpox

Chickenpox starts as small, itchy patches, usually on the face or scalp. The patches may look red, pink, the same color, or darker than the surrounding skin.

Spots quickly form blisters and then scabs. The number of rashes can be different - some children have only a few elements, while others have them all over the body. Chicken pox regresses after 7-10 days.

Impetigo

Red sores or blisters that burst and leave hard golden brown spots may be impetigo. The rash may itch, grow in size, or spread to other parts of the body. They often appear on the face, arms or torso.

Tiny and very itchy spots

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that live under the skin and make holes under it. Scabies can be found on the abdomen, between the fingers. In this situation, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe medication for scabies, and all family members need treatment at the same time, even if they do not have any symptoms.

Rash without fever or itching

Very small spots called milia often appear on the face of a child a few days old. Milia may appear as white or yellowish nodules, depending on the child's skin tone, and are not bothersome or cause additional symptoms. They usually go away within a few weeks and do not need treatment.

Pink or flesh-colored raised spots

Small, hard, raised spots that can appear anywhere on the body are common in children and are known as molluscum contagiosum. The spots may be the same color as the surrounding skin, slightly darker or pink. Treatment is not recommended in children as the spots go away on their own, although it may take more than a year.

Red spots on the baby's buttocks

Diaper rash can make the baby's skin look irritated and hot. There may be red spots or blisters on the buttocks or around the entire diaper area, which can make the baby feel uncomfortable, cranky and irritable. Usually diaper rash is treated with healing creams under the diaper.

Vesicles on the cheeks, nose and forehead

Baby pimples or vesicles may appear within a month after birth, but usually disappear after a few weeks or months.

Wash the child's face with water and a mild moisturizer.

Yellow scaly patches on the scalp

Seborrheic crusts are when a child develops yellow or white, greasy, scaly patches on the scalp. The condition usually resolves without treatment after a few weeks or months. You can use a special anti-seborrheic shampoo to prevent the appearance of new formations.

Author: Belyakov Nikolai Grigorievich

Specialization: Pediatrician

Where is the reception: Clinic General Medical Center (GMC) St. Petersburg

4

Share: