Everything You Need To Know About Baby Skin Rashes
By: Ryan Monahan
Tags: Baby Skin Care Products, Skincare, Newborn, Baby

Common Childhood Rashes

Diaper Rash

Diaper rashes occur when your baby’s skin becomes irritated due to contact with contact with urine and stool contact against the skin. The irritation can break down the skin’s protective barrier and result in a painful, itchy rash. It can also create small openings in the skin, allowing bacteria and fungi to penetrate. This can cause further skin yeast infections such as a yeast diaper rash. Fortunately, diaper rashes are easy to treat and prevent using cloth diapers, rash cream, or barrier cream.

Hives

Hives are common among babies with sensitive skin. They appear as large, itchy welts on the body, often circular and seemingly embossed. Hives can be a result of an allergic reaction to insect bites, certain medicines, fabric, and viral infections. Food allergies can also cause hives to appear all over the body, including the arms and legs. The rash can last for up to four days but can be treated with an antihistamine cream or pill.

Baby Acne

Baby acne is the effect of the increase of sebaceous matter production in the skin. It eventually leads to localized inflammation or fluid-filled pimples (pustules). They commonly occur on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and on your baby’s back. If not treated properly, baby acne can result in scarring.

Impetigo

Impetigo is another skin rash that is a result of a scratch, wound, or skin irritation infected with Streptococcus bacteria. Once infected, the cut becomes moist and red, often with yellowish, scaly patches. The bacteria can also spread quite fast and cause more sores if your baby scratches or touches the wound. Impetigo requires a trip to the doctor as this extremely contagious rash must be managed with oral or topical antibiotics.

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staph infections often create blisters and a rash all over the body. Often the child has a rash all over the body. After the rash resolves, the top layer of the skin peels off, and the skin becomes raw and red.

Baby Eczema

There are three known types of atopic eczema:

Atopic Dermatitis

This skin rash is common in children with a history of allergies in the family. Eczema starts dry and itchy but eventually becomes red and irritated. Scratching can cause more breaks in the skin and result in scarring or a secondary skin infection.

Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)

In babies, this type of dermatitis is caused cradle cap. The cause is unknown,but experts link it to the disruption of the skin’s production of sweat and sebaceous matter. In children, it appears as patchy yellow scales on the head. In some cases, it can appear on the back of the neck, diaper area or armpits. Cradle cap resolves on its own. However, you can use a gentle, organic baby shampoo to loosen the patches. After shampooing, shampoo with a soft brush.

Contact Dermatitis

This type of eczema occurs when particular irritants such as cosmetics, detergents, or a harsh diaper cream cause hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to the skin. It becomes red, swollen, and itchy. These can also develop into moist, inflamed blisters.

Port-Wine Stain

Port-wine stains (nevus flammeus) get their name from a type of red wine from Portugal. This birthmark is caused by blood vessels malformation under the skin. It’s also called a “firemark.” Port-wine stains typically occur on the face but can appear anywhere on the body. The stains increase in size relative to the body. They also darken in color and can develop bumps as an adult.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is another type of skin rash that is a result of a virus. They take shape in the form of tiny, raised bumps that are 2–5mm in diameter called mollusks. The itchy bumps are grayish white, sometimes yellow, and can cover your child’s body in clusters. Treatment is normally not recommended for this type of rash, but scratching can tear the child’s skin and cause other skin conditions.

Fungal Rash

Fungal rashes are caused by two types of fungi: candida and tinea. Candida infections can occur in babies as a rash in the groin area, oral thrush, or as a mouth mucosa. It can infect children at any age and is sometimes accompanied by dry skin and nail discoloration. Tinea infections or ringworm, on the other hand, are ring-shaped patches of skin with scaly, itchy, raised edges. The ringworm can appear on the face, body, scalp, or nails.