Expect bumps, spots, and rashes

There's nothing quite like the soft, delicate skin of a baby. And nothing like a cranky infant irritated by nappy rash, thrush or another skin condition. While your baby is perfect, your baby's skin may not be. Many babies are prone to skin irritation in the first few months after birth. Here's how to spot and treat common baby skin problems.

Newborns are prone to rashes

The good news about your newborn's rashes: most cause no harm and go away on their own. While caring for baby's skin may seem complex, all you really need to know are three simple things: which conditions can you treat at home? Which need medical treatment? And how can you prevent baby from experiencing skin problems to begin with?

Avoiding nappy rash

If baby has red skin around the nappy area, you're probably dealing with nappy rash. Most nappy rashes occur because of skin irritation due to nappies that are too tight; wet nappies left on for too long; or a particular brand of detergent, nappies or baby wipes. Avoid it by keeping the nappy area open to the air as long as possible, changing your baby's nappy as soon as it's wet, washing with a warm cloth, and applying zinc oxide cream.

Pimples and whiteheads

Baby acne gets its start in the womb, where baby is exposed to mum's hormones. Those hormones boost oil production, clogging baby's oil glands. Pimples on baby's nose and cheeks usually clear up by themselves in a few weeks. So you don't need to treat baby acne or use lotion.

Baby birthmarks

Lots of babies have birthmarks - more than one in 10 as a matter of fact. Birthmarks, areas of skin discolouration, are not inherited. They may be there when your baby is born, or they might show up a few months later. Generally birthmarks are nothing to worry about and need no treatment. But if your baby's birthmark worries you, seek medical advice.

Atopic dermatitis or eczema

Eczema is an itchy, red rash that occurs in response to a trigger. It is common in children who have a family history of asthma, hayfever or other allergies. Eczema may occur on baby's face as a red, dry, flaky, or weepy rash. Over time it becomes thick, dry and scaly. You may also see eczema on the chest, behind the knees, or in the elbow and wrist creases. To treat it, identify and avoid any triggers. Use gentle soaps and detergents and apply moderate amounts of moisturisers.

Baby's dry skin

You probably shouldn't worry if your newborn has peeling, dry skin – it often happens if your baby is born a little late. The underlying skin is perfectly healthy, soft and moist. If your infant's dry skin persists, seek medical advice.

Excess oil causes cradle cap

Cradle cap can show up during baby's first or second month, and usually clears up within the first year. Also called seborrhoeic dermatitis, cradle cap is caused by excess oil and shows up as a scaly, waxycrust on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, the sides of the nose or behind the ears. Seek medical advice to get the best treatment for cradle cap, which may include a special shampoo, baby oil or certain creams and lotions.

Prickly heat causes irritated skin

Showing up as small pinkish-red bumps, prickly heat usually appears on the parts of your baby's body that are prone to sweating, like the neck, nappy area, armpits and skin folds. A cool, dry environment and loose-fitting clothes are all you need to treat prickly heat rash - which can even be brought on in winter when baby is over-dressed. Try dressing baby in layers that you can remove when things heat up.

Infant skin doesn't need powdering

Babies can inhale the very fine grains of talcum powder, which could cause lung problems. So it's best to avoid using talcum powder on your infant. A corn starch-based powder is considered safer. However, yeast, which can cause nappy rash, feeds on corn starch. So to protect baby skin, you're better off avoiding powder.

Newborn skin: White bumps (milia)

As many as one in two newborns get the little white bumps known as milia. Usually appearing on the nose and face, they're caused by skin flakes blocking oil glands. In this case, baby skin care is easy: as baby's glands open up over the course of a few days or weeks, the bumps usually disappear and need no treatment.

Baby yeast infections

Yeast infections often appear after your baby has had a course of antibiotics, and show up differently depending on where they are on your baby's skin. Thrush appears on the tongue and mouth, and looks like dried milk, while a yeast nappy rash is bright red, often with small red pimples at the rash edges. Seek medical advice: oral thrush is treated with an anti-fungal liquid medicine, while an anti-fungal cream is used for a nappy area fungal infection.

Laundry tips for baby skin care

Avoiding skin rashes will keep your baby smiling and happy. Use a gentle detergent to wash everything that touches your infant's skin, from bedding and blankets, to towels and even your own clothes. You'll cut down on the likelihood of baby developing irritated or itchy skin.

Yellow skin can mean jaundice

Usually occurring two or three days after birth, jaundice is a yellow colouration that affects baby's skin and eyes. It’s common in premature infants. Caused by too much bilirubin (a breakdown product of red blood cells), the condition usually disappears by the time baby is one or two weeks old. Treatment for jaundice may include more frequent feeding or, for more severe cases, light therapy (phototherapy).

Infant sunburn

The sun may feel good, but it could be exposing your baby's skin to the risk of damaging sunburn. Avoid baby skin problems by protecting from sunburn: keep your infant out of direct sunlight during the first six months of life. Later, use an appropriate strength baby sunscreen, hats and umbrellas. For mild infant sunburn apply a cool cloth to baby's skin for 10-15 minutes a few times daily. For more severe sunburn, seek medical advice.

Baby sunscreen and more

Apply sunscreen to the areas of baby's skin that can't be covered by clothes. You can also use zinc oxide on baby's nose, ears and lips. Cover the rest of your baby's skin in clothes and a wide-brimmed hat. Sunglasses protect children's eyes from harmful rays.

Baby skin care products

Shopping for baby skin care products? Less is more. Look for items without dyes, fragrance, phthalates and parabens -- all of which could cause skin irritation. When in doubt, seek medical or pharmacist advice to see if a product is appropriate for newborn skin.

Avoiding skin problems at bath time

Remember, newborn skin is soft and sensitive. Keep baby's skin hydrated by bathing in warm water for only three to five minutes. Apply a baby lotion or moisturiser immediately after bath while skin is still wet, and then pat dry instead of rubbing.

Baby massage

If rashes or other skin conditions are making your baby irritable, try baby massage. Gently stroking and massaging baby's skin can not only help boost relaxation, but it may also lead to better sleep and reduce or stop crying.

When to seek medical advice

Most baby skin rashes and problems aren't serious, but a few may be signs of infection - and need close attention. If baby's skin has small, red-purplish dots that don’t fade when pressed with a glass tumbler, if there are yellow fluid-filled bumps (pustules), or if baby has a fever or lethargy, seek medical advice right away.

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