Simple tips to keep baby's skin healthy

There is nothing better than tender and delicate baby skin. And there is nothing better than a fussy baby who is irritated by diaper rash, cradle cap or other skin disease. While your child is perfect, their skin may not be. Many babies are prone to skin irritation in the first months of life. Here's what you can do about it.

Newborns are prone to skin rashes

Most baby rashes are harmless and go away on their own. While caring for your baby's skin may seem complicated, there are really only three simple things you need to know:

Which conditions can you treat at home?
Which need medical treatment?
How can you keep skin problems from happening?

Avoid diaper rash

If your baby has red skin in the diaper area, you are dealing with diaper rash. It most often occurs due to skin irritation due to:

Diapers that are too tight
Wet diapers left on for too long
A particular brand of detergent, diapers, or baby wipes

You can avoid diaper rash if you:

Keep the diaper area open to the air as long as possible
Change your baby's diaper as soon as it's wet
If some crops up, wash it with a warm cloth, and put zinc oxide cream on it.

What to do about pimples and whiteheads

Childhood "acne" is not actually teenage acne. Research suggests that this may be due to the yeast rather than the oil. Acne on the nose and cheeks of a child usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. This way you don't need to treat baby acne or use lotion.

Birthmarks

Many babies have them - more than 1 in 10. Moles, areas of discoloration of the skin, are not inherited. They may be there when your baby is born, or they may appear months later. Generally, birthmarks are not a cause for concern and do not require treatment. But if you're worried about your child's birthmark, talk to your pediatrician.

Eczema

This is an itchy red rash that can occur in response to a trigger. The disease often occurs in children who have a family history of asthma, allergies, or atopic dermatitis. Eczema may appear on your child's face as an oozing rash. Over time, it becomes thick, dry and flaky. You may also see it on the elbows, chest, arms, or behind the knees. To treat this, identify and avoid any triggers. Use mild soaps and cleansers and apply a moderate amount of moisturizer. More severe eczema should be treated with prescription medications.

Dry skin

You probably don't need to worry if your newborn has dry, flaky skin - this is often the case if your baby was born a little late. The skin under it is completely healthy, soft and moist. If your child's dry skin persists, talk to your child's pediatrician.

Excess oil causes a cradle cup

The mollusk may appear during the first or second month of a child's life. This usually resolves within the first year. Also called seborrheic dermatitis, it is caused in part by excess sebum. It appears as a scaly, waxy, red rash on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, sides of the nose, or behind the ears. Your pediatrician will recommend the best treatment for your child. This can be a special shampoo, baby oil, or certain creams and lotions.

Prickly heat causes skin irritation

Appearing as small, pinkish-red bumps, prickly heat usually appears on parts of your child's body that are prone to sweating, such as:

Neck
Diaper area
Armpits
Skin folds

A cool, dry environment and loose clothing are sufficient for treatment. Keep in mind that prickly heat can be caused even in winter when your child is too wrapped up. Try to layer it up so you can take it off when it gets hot.

Baby skin does not need to be powdered

Babies can inhale very small grains of talc or larger particles of corn starch. This can cause lung problems. Therefore, it is better not to use them on your child.

White bumps (Milia)

Up to half of newborns have small white bumps called milia. Usually appearing on the nose and face, they are caused by clogging of the sebaceous glands by skin scales. Milia are sometimes referred to as "baby acne," but baby acne is related to yeast. Skin care for milia is easy: as your child's glands open over a period of days or weeks, the bumps usually disappear and do not require treatment.

Yeast infections in babies

They often appear after your child has received a course of antibiotics. They appear differently depending on where they are on your baby's skin. Thrush appears on the tongue and in the mouth and looks like milk powder. Yeast diaper rash is bright red, often with small red pimples around the edges of the rash. Talk to your pediatrician: thrush is treated with a liquid antifungal medication. An antifungal cream is used for yeast diaper rash.

Laundry tips

If you avoid the rash, your child will smile and be happy. Use a mild detergent to wash everything that touches your baby's skin, from bedding and blankets to towels and even your own clothes. You reduce the risk of itching or irritation.

Yellow skin can mean jaundice

Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes of a child. It usually appears 2 to 3 days after birth and is more common in premature babies. This is caused by too much bilirubin (a breakdown product of red blood cells). The condition usually resolves by the time the baby is 1 to 2 weeks old. Treatment may include more frequent feedings or, in more severe cases, light therapy (phototherapy). If your baby looks yellow, let your doctor know.

Beware of baby sunburn

The sun can be nice, but it can put your child's skin at risk of sunburn damage. You can use baby sunscreen for babies at any age. Hats and umbrellas are also good ideas. But for the best protection against sunburn, keep your baby out of direct sunlight for the first 6 months of life. For mild sunburn, apply a cool cloth to your child's skin for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. For more severe sunburn, call your child's pediatrician.

Sunscreen for babies and more

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

Baby skin care products

Buying baby skin care products? Less - more. Look for items that are free of dyes, fragrances, phthalates, and parabens, which can irritate the skin. When in doubt, talk to your pediatrician to see if a product is right for you.

Avoiding skin problems at bath time

Remember that the skin of a newborn is delicate and sensitive. Keep your baby's skin hydrated by bathing him in warm water for just 3-5 minutes. Do not let your child sit, play or soak in soapy water for a long time. Apply baby lotion or moisturizer immediately after bathing while baby's skin is still damp, then pat dry rather than rub.

Baby massage

If a rash or other skin condition is irritating your baby, try baby massage. Gently stroking and massaging your baby's skin can not only encourage relaxation, but also improve sleep and ease or stop crying.

When to call the pediatrician

Most rashes and skin problems in children are not serious, but some may be signs of an infection and require special attention. If your child's skin has small purplish-red dots, yellow blisters filled with fluid, or if your child has a fever or seems sleepy and lazy, contact your pediatrician immediately.