Body Rashes in Babies

From diaper commercials to baby food packaging, we are used to seeing clear-skinned chubby infants. However, many babies have some sort of rash within their first year of life. The good news is, rashes are rarely a sign of a serious illness, and many times they are preventable.

Cradle Cap

• Cradle cap--when the scalp appears flaky, greasy, scaly or crusty--is extremely common in babies. It isn't usually bothersome to infants, and most outgrow it within a few months. In a few, cradle cap lasts until toddlerhood.

  Massaging some baby oil onto the infant's head then brushing flakes away takes care of this cosmetic problem. In severe cases of cradle cap, pediatricians sometimes prescribe an antifungal shampoo or lotion.

Diaper Rash

• Diaper rash is also common in babies and is the result of wetness against the skin. Diaper rash is often quite red and can be painful. Help prevent diaper rash by changing your baby's diaper frequently--as soon as it becomes wet, if possible. Diaper rash cream or Aquaphor can be applied to the skin at every diaper change. For prevention or in milder cases of diaper rash, a baby-powder cream (not baby powder) may be used instead.

  If diaper rash persists or is especially painful, talk to your pediatrician. She may prescribe a special antifungal cream.

Eczema

• Infant eczema creates light red or tan-colored patches of rough or scaly skin. As it progresses, the patches become more red and itchy. Some patches may even ooze and crust over.

  It's a good idea to talk to your pediatrician if you suspect eczema. Some eczema might be prevented by dietary changes. (For example, by having a breastfeeding mother remove milk products from her diet.) Occasionally, laundry soap is the culprit.

  Pediatricians also usually recommend using a gentle soap (like Dove) only as needed, slathering the baby's wet skin with a good lotion (such as petroleum jelly or Aquaphor) and keeping the baby cool. In some cases, doctors may prescribe a steroid cream to treat the rash.

Heat Rash

• Creating red or clear spots all over the skin, heat rashes are most commonly found on the face or in folds of the neck, chest and arms.

  Heat rash is preventable by dressing the baby in cooler clothing (or just a diaper) during hot weather. Air conditioning, staying in the shade and sponging with cool water help, too.

Newborn Rash

• The term "newborn rash" covers a wide range of common skin conditions found in newborns, including milia (white pimples on the chin and nose), erythema toxicum (blotchy red areas with raised yellow or white centers), neonatal acne (which looks like teenage acne) and heat rash. All go away within weeks of birth, without treatment.

Yeast

• Yeast infections can look much like a diaper rash and are often found on the bottom or in the folds of skin. An antifungal prescription is needed to clear up a yeast rash.