There is nothing as smooth and soft as the delicate skin of an infant. And there is nothing more upsetting than a cranky baby irritated by cradle cap, diaper rash, or any other skin condition. Babies have the most delicate skin and therefore, their skin is prone to irritation in the initial months. These skin problems are common and there is nothing to panic. Most of these rashes are harmless and go away without medication.
How to keep the infant’s skin healthy?
Here are some tips to deal with all types of skin conditions at home:
- Diaper rash and its remedies:
If your baby’s skin in the diaper area has reddened, it’s diaper rash. Diaper rashes are quite common and happen when:
- Diapers are tight
- Wet diapers are not changed for long hours
- The brand does not suit your baby
So, you can avoid these rashes by:
- Changing the diapers frequently
- Giving chance to the soft skin to air out for some hours each day
- White bumps or milia
White bumps or milia are again extremely common in newborn babies. They appear on the face and nose and are caused when skin flakes block the oil glands. As those glands open up on their own after some weeks, the white bumps disappear on their own.
- Whiteheads and Pimples:
Babies also have acne, but this acne is quite different from the acne that teenagers have. Studies have revealed that pimples on an infant’s cheeks and nose do not require medication. They vanish on their own in a few weeks. So, there is no need to apply lotion unless your doctor suggests otherwise.
- Yeast infection
One reason behind yeast infection is taking antibiotics to treat an ailment. They appear in different areas. If you notice thrush on the mouth or tongue and it looks similar to dried milk, it can be yeast rash. Yeast diaper rashes, on the other hand, are bright red in color, often with pimples at the edges. It is better to talk to the pediatrician who’ll give you an anti-yeast medicine to apply on the infected areas.
- Irritated skin due to prickly heat
Prickly heats are pinkish-red bumps that appear in areas prone to sweating, such as:
- Neck
- Armpits
- Diaper area
- Skin folds
Loose-fitting clothes and cool environment are all your baby needs to get rid of prickly heat.
- Birthmarks
Birthmarks are marks that lots of babies are born with. Birthmarks are areas with skin discoloration and they do not require treatment. But, it if worries you, you can show it to your baby’s doctor.
- Sunburn
If there is sunburn due to exposure to the sun, use hats and baby sunscreens. However, it is better to stay away from direct sunlight in the first 5-6 months.
Conclusion:
This was all about the common skin conditions in infants. Another important area is shopping for skin care products like soap, powder, lotion etc. Always consult your pediatrician before purchasing any product for your baby.
