Skin Irritation in Babies: What to Do
Allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema and pimples are very common during babies’ first few months. Their skin is very delicate, so it’s important to be aware of what causes skin irritation in babies.
Depending on the type of rash, the treatment will be different. Learning to recognize them and treat them will be very useful.
Skin irritation in babies: what are they?
There are several types of skin irritation in babies. Each treatment is different for every type. The most common ones are burning and itching, rashes and bumps. This is known as eczema.
Heat rash: how to treat it
Heat rash is one of the most common skin irritations in babies. This condition happens because babies’ sweat glands are immature in the first few years. Therefore, babies can get this when they’re wrapped up in too many jackets so they don’t get cold.
These irritations also happen when it’s the opposite of cold. That is, when children are in extremely hot environments with high temperatures.
Usually, heat rash goes away on its own, and there is no need to apply any treatment. In those cases, it’s important to remove or take off anything that makes the baby too hot.
When the irritation gets deeper and more intense, and if the inflammation spreads, you can apply an astringent cream. For more extreme cases, we recommend visiting a dermatologist or pediatrician. There, they’ll apply a topical corticosteroid.
Eczema: what is it?
When children have rashes, itchiness, and bumps, they probably have eczema. It’s one of the most common types of skin irritation in babies. Additionally, it’s most common for babies in their first few years of life.
In most cases, it’s very important to consult a specialist if your baby has eczema, either a dermatologist or pediatrician. Usually, they’ll prescribe a topical corticosteroid.
Keep in mind that unlike other skin diseases, eczema isn’t contagious. It mainly occurs in skin types that react easily to the outside world or break out easily. However, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible.
How to treat eczema
The treatment for eczema is individualized, and it all depends on the severity that your baby has. There are times when eczema is very mild and all your baby needs is to stay hydrated. In other cases, the best treatment is a topical corticosteroid.
In more extreme cases, when that treatment doesn’t work, doctors will prescribe immunosuppressants to take by mouth. Any treatment that you give to your baby should be controlled and watched by a specialized medical professional.
Recommendations to avoid skin irritation in babies
First, you need to identify what triggers outbreaks. That’s important to know so you can prevent further outbreaks. Therefore, try to find the triggers, like dry skin, stress, infections or other irritants.
You also have to think about the kind of clothes your baby wears. This is a very important aspect. Generally, clothes that are tight, rough and irritating, like tissues and synthetic materials, aren’t good for sensitive skin.
“Unlike other skin diseases, eczema isn’t contagious. It mainly occurs in skin types that react easily to the outside world or break out easily.”
It’s best to dress your baby in cotton clothing to prevent outbreaks. Also, don’t put your baby in too many layers because it could cause rashes.
When you wash his clothes, it’s best to use a mild soap or detergent. In addition, drying them well and not using too much fabric softener is best. That way, the clothes won’t cause any type of reaction or allergy.
At home, avoid exposing him to too much dust, because that can also cause eczema. For babies with fragile skin, we recommend keeping pets out of the house because their fur can cause allergic reactions.
In summary, skin irritation in babies is more common than many people think. It’s always good to know about them and what you need to do to treat them.