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Infant Skin Disease

Infants can get a variety of skin diseases, and some are more common than others. You can treat most types of infant skin diseases on your own, but some require prescription medications. Call your doctor with any concerns, and if a particular skin ailment is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever (see Reference 2).

  1. Cradle Cap

    • Seborrheic dermatitis causes cradle cap in infants. It is characterized by scaling and flaking skin, most commonly in the scalp, according to drgreene.com. It can spread to other areas of the body, such as the face and neck, if it goes untreated. Use a small brush to gently scrape the scales whenever you shampoo your infant's hair. If cradle cap persists, try a shampoo that is specifically designed for seborrheic dermatitis, such as Selsun Blue (see Reference 2).

    Diaper Rash

    • Diaper rash is a common and is caused by moisture on the infant's bottom combined with the diaper rubbing against her skin. Use disposable diapers, and change them often. If you do not plan on changing your infant's diaper for a long period of time, such as overnight, apply a diaper cream to help block moisture from seeping into the skin and causing a rash. Examples include Desitin Overnight and A+D Ointment (see Reference 2).

    Eczema

    • Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is caused by an immune disorder in your infant's skin, not necessarily an allergy. Use mild soap and lukewarm water during bath time. Apply a baby moisturizer afterward, such as Aquaphor. If the rash does not clear up, see your doctor for a prescription ointment (see Reference 3).

    Erythema Toxicum

    • Erythema toxicum is a type of skin rash that is common among infants who are a few days old, according to drgreene.com. This rash comes in the form of red blotches with bumps in the middle. Erythmea toxicum clears up on its own after several days without treatment (see Reference 2).

    Prickly Heat

    • Prickly heat is also known as heat rash or miliaria. Sweat from excessive body heat develops into a rash in the folds of his skin, where the moisture is trapped. Refrain from applying too much moisturizer, as this makes prickly heat worse. Do not overdress your infant, and makes sure that your home has a comfortable temperature (see Reference 2).

    Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

    • A staphylococcal infection is life-threatening and is characterized by a blistering red rash that is accompanied by fever, chills and massive skin peeling in your infant. If you suspect staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, call your doctor immediately. Treatment usually involves hospitalization as well as antibiotics (see Reference 1).

    Yeast Infection

    • A yeast infection looks similar to a diaper rash but does not go away with typical diaper rash treatments. Also, unlike diaper rash, yeast infections tend to occur in the creases of the skin, such as the thigh. A yeast infection can also develop in the lower stomach. The rash might have pimples in it. Ask your pediatrician about using an over-the-counter ointment, such as miconazole or clotrimazole. If the yeast infection is severe, your doctor will likely recommend a prescription, such as nystatin (see Reference 2).

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