There are many types of rashes that attack a baby’s skin.
However, mothers don’t need to worry, they just need to be patient enough to make their little ones feel comfortable.
While most red rashes on baby skin are easy to treat, and rarely result in emergencies, there are also some skin problems that indicate serious illness.
Here are various types of rashes in babies from several trusted sources, complete with how to treat them and when is the right time for you to contact a doctor.
Causes of Rashes in Babies
Babies definitely don’t feel comfortable with rashes on their skin. This condition often makes them fussy, in pain, and even crying.
Actually, what causes rashes in babies, Mom?
Launching the pageHealthline, babies have skin that is still very new.
On the other hand, their immune system is also developing. This makes their skin very sensitive and susceptible to many sources of irritation or infection.
Generally, the causes of rashes on baby’s skin include:
- Hot air
- Allergy
- Friction
- Humidity
- Chemical material
- Fragrance
- Cloth
In fact, the dirt itself can irritate the baby’s skin and cause rashes, you know, Mom.
Likewise, viruses and bacteria can infect and cause rashes.
The skin parts affected by rashes are not only ‘covered’ body areas but also exposed ones. Such as:
- Face
- Neck
- Lower back (around the tailbone)
- Arms, especially the inner elbow crease
- Foot
- Hand
- Diaper areas such as the groin and buttocks
- Skin folds
Two Categories of Rash Types
The types of rashes in babies are divided into 2 types or categories which are indicated by their symptoms according toPregnancyBirth Baby , namely:
- Rash without fever or itching
- Rash accompanied by fever and itching
The types of rashes without fever or itching include:
- Milli
- Erythema toxicum
- Baby acne
- Diaper rash
- Erythema multiforme
- Keratosis pilaris
Meanwhile, the types of rashes that are accompanied by fever or itching include:
- Eczema
- Ringworm
- Prickly heat
- Impetigo
- Urticaria
- Pityriasis rosea
- Molluscum contagiasum
- Fifth disease
- Hand, foot and mouth disease
- Roseola infantum
Some of the most common types of baby skin rashes include:
- Baby acne, which usually appears on the face.
- Cradle cap.
- Diaper rash, which is caused by the wetness/moisture or acidity of the baby’s urine and feces.
- Drool rash, which occurs when saliva irritates the skin around the mouth or on the chest.
- Eczema , most often found on the face, behind the knees, and on the arms .
- Fifth disease , a “slapped cheek” rash that may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and sore throat.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) or hand, foot, and mouth disease.
- Heat rash, or prickly heat, is usually found in areas covered by clothing, such as the armpits, neck, chest, arms, torso, and legs and is caused by excessive heat.
- Itchy rash.
- Impetigo .
- Infectious rashes, such as measles, chicken pox, scarlet fever, and roseola.
- Miliamolluscum contagiosum.
- Ulcer.
Most babies experience a rash at one time or another, and the majority of rashes go away without treatment.
Otherwise, the rash is accompanied by fever, itching or other symptoms.
The following is a guide to several types of rashes in babies that parents need to know!
Various Types of Rashes in Babies and How to Treat Them
1. Milia
Up to half of newborns have small white spots called milia on their faces, especially on the nose.
It’s just a clogged pore caused by an oil gland, Mom, and it’s not itchy or contagious.
This rash usually resolves without treatment within a few weeks.
2. Toxic Erythema
Many newborns also experience a red, blotchy skin reaction called erythema toxicum, which can appear between 2 days and 2 weeks after birth.
These flat patches or small red bumps usually appear first on the face and spread to the rest of the body and limbs.
This red rash on a baby’s skin is not dangerous, not contagious, and will disappear after a few days or a week.
3. Baby Acne
Some babies experience acne on their cheeks, nose, and forehead in the first few months of life, namely at around 3-4 weeks of age.
This acne is not contagious, usually disappears within a few months without any treatment.
However, sometimes it can take up to a year as well.
Baby acne is caused by hormones that enter the placenta, helping lung development, and these hormones also stimulate the oil glands on the baby’s face, causing acne to appear.
4. Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is an inflammation of the skin in the diaper area that looks red, sore, and inflamed.
Diaper rash is caused by several things, including urine or feces that irritate the baby’s skin.
To avoid diaper rash, try to keep the diaper area clean and dry by changing diapers frequently and allowing baby to have diaper-free time.
Meanwhile, to protect baby’s skin, mothers can apply a protective cream containingzincor soft white paraffin every time you change his diaper.
If the rash has spread and is bothersome (persistent), do not treat it by sprinkling powder or antiseptic.
However, use a special medicated cream for baby rashes or an antifungal ointment if your baby has a fungal infection.
Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before deciding which medication to use.
5. Erythema Multiforme
Erythema multiforme is a rash triggered by infection, medication, or disease.
The red spots that mark the rash appear on the hands or feet before spreading to both sides of the body (over a day or so).
The spots usually do not itch, but may surface and/or blister.
It is possible that your baby may have been feeling unwell or had a mild fever before the rash appeared.
Erythema multiforme is not contagious, and usually resolves without treatment within 3 to 6 weeks.
6. Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris or also called chicken skin disease is a skin problem in babies that causes rough and bumpy skin that looks like permanently covered goose pimples.
Although it looks strange, this condition is not dangerous. ‘Lumps’ usually occur most often on the upper arms and thighs of babies.
7. Eczema
Eczema can cause a baby ‘s skin to become itchy , red, dry and cracked, especially in the folds of the knees and elbows.
Usually the doctor will treat it with corticosteroid cream to reduce inflammation, and moisturizer to prevent the skin from drying out.
Eczema is a long-term condition that can appear when a baby is only a few months old.
Certain triggers, such as viral infections, soap or detergent products and pool chlorine, can cause symptoms to appear.
This baby’s skin rash is caused by allergies. Eczema appears on dry skin, causing itching.
Bathe the baby with moisturizing soap, then give him eczema cream that is safe for babies.
Avoid using antibacterial soap or bubble baths as they can make the eczema worse.
8. Ringworm
Ringworm or tinea is a mild, contagious skin infection that causes a red , ring-like rash with a clear center.
It can occur almost anywhere on a baby’s body, the most common areas being the baby’s scalp, feet, and groin.
Ringworm is generally caused by a fungus, not a worm – despite its medical name ‘ringworm‘, and will soon heal after being treated with an antifungal cream – many are available over the counter.
In older children, transmission is usually highest in daycare or school.
9. Prickly Heat
Heat rash or prickly heat usually appears if the baby feels too hot in a humid environment.
The rash appears as small red bumps or blisters on the skin, which can be very itchy.
Cooling your baby and avoiding moisture is the best way to treat heat rash.
And this rash will usually disappear in 2 to 3 days without treatment.
10. Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin.
This causes red sores and blisters that form yellow crusts.
This rash is most common in children aged 2 to 6 years, and is generally not serious, but it can be dangerous for newborns.
This condition is also common in children who suffer from scabies.
If your child has impetigo, you should have him/her checked by a pediatrician.
Your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotic creams, ointments, or tablets. These medications will clear the infection within 7-10 days.
Especially for older children, keep them away from daycare or school and also younger children until the wound has dried.
11. Urticaria (Hives)
Mothers know it as hives . It is a red, itchy, raised rash that can appear anywhere on the body at any time.
However, it occurs more frequently in the chest, abdomen and back, as well as the throat and other limbs.
Hives usually go away within a few days without any treatment.
The medicine is sold freely in pharmacies. However, if the rash does not go away, check with your pediatrician.
12. Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a mild skin rash that sometimes appears after a sore throat, cold, or fever.
Usually only attacks children over 10 years old.
This skin problem starts with a single pink or brown patch on the chest or back.
Oval red patches then appear on the chest or back and limbs over the following weeks.
It can be itchy, and your little one may feel unwell.
The exact cause of pityriasis rosea is unclear, and health experts say it is not contagious and goes away within a few months without treatment.
If you are pregnant, pityriasis rosea can in rare cases cause complications.
Check with your obstetrician if you have had contact with a child who has pityriasis rosea .
13. Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a virus and spread through skin -to-skin contact or by sharing swimming pool water or towels.
Molluscum contagiosum spots look like pimples and grow into round, pearly white bumps, usually 2 to 5 millimeters in size, and are itchy.
It usually resolves without treatment within 6 months, but may take longer.
14. Fifth Disease
Or also called the fifth disease, which is a viral infection that attacks pre-school and school-age children.
It usually causes a bright red rash on both cheeks that spreads as a ‘lacy’ rash on the trunk and other limbs.
It is a mild illness that goes away in a few days without treatment. Some children also experience symptoms such as fever.
Fifth disease is contagious before the rash appears, but not after the rash appears.
If you are pregnant, try not to have contact with children infected with fifth disease because it can potentially cause your fetus to suffer from anemia and cause miscarriage .
15. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand , foot and mouth disease ( HFMD ) is a mild but highly contagious viral disease that causes a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Please note, this disease is not the same as foot and mouth disease that attacks livestock.
This disease is common in daycares and kindergartens – the virus can be spread through feces, so be sure to always wash your hands after changing your baby’s diaper.
Once infected, your baby will feel unwell, have a fever, and have blisters on the hands, feet, mouth, and diaper area, where these symptoms can last for 7 to 10 days.
Children with hand, foot, and mouth disease should be kept away from others to prevent spreading the disease until all the blisters on their skin have dried up.
HFMD usually goes away on its own without major problems.
But in rare cases it can be more serious, especially in people whose immune systems are not functioning normally or pregnant women.
These rare problems include infections of the brain and heart muscle and miscarriage in pregnant women.
16. Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum is a contagious viral infection that can cause cold-like symptoms and high fever.
The skin of children infected with roseola infantum will show signs of pink spots that start on the chest, stomach, and back areas, then spread to other limbs.
The disease is contagious before the rash appears, but not afterward, and the rash usually lasts 3 to 5 days.
While the child may experience a high fever for several days. There are also some children who experience febrile seizures.
17. Lyme
Lyme is caused by a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of an infected tick.
However, only about 8-10% of people bitten by blacklegged ticks develop Lyme disease .
It takes 24-36 hours for the tick to transfer the bacteria to human skin.
The rash caused by Lyme disease looks like a spider’s eye or a target ring and appears 1-2 weeks after the bite.
However, children can also get Lyme disease even if they do not show a rash.
Other symptoms that appear are fever, flu, and stiff neck.
Only through a doctor’s examination can you find out whether your little one has Lyme disease or not.
This disease is not contagious. Make sure to always check your baby’s entire body after going out of the house to see if there are any ticks on his body or not.
18. Measles
The cause of measles is a virus that spreads through the air.
This disease requires medical treatment to fully recover. Symptoms appear after 10 days of exposure to the virus.
Babies who get measles will have a high fever for 4 days. After three days a rash will appear all over the body.
Make sure your child receives the measles vaccine to prevent getting this disease.
19. German Measles (Rubella)
This disease caused by a virus has symptoms such as a runny nose and a red, raised rash.
Initially, the rash appears around the face and then spreads throughout the body.
Rubella can be contagious and very dangerous if pregnant women are infected with this virus.
Don’t miss the free rubella vaccine from the government to protect your child.
20. Chickenpox
Baby skin rash: eczema.
Babies who get chickenpox will experience fever and weakness.
Then his body began to appear with raised spots filled with water.
The spots are itchy and make the baby keep scratching.
Blistered spots may burst open when scratched.
Open wounds can lead to bacterial infections, which can make chickenpox more complicated and dangerous.
Chickenpox can be transmitted through the air and also through fluid from spots on the sufferer’s body.
People with chickenpox can be contagious for 24 hours before the rash appears, until the blisters turn into scabs.
When to Seek Help?
Many babies experience skin rashes in the first days or weeks of life because their skin is still very sensitive and adapting to a new environment.
Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own.
However, if your baby seems unwell or if you are very worried, take him to the doctor.
Especially if the baby has a fever for days, cough, runny nose or swollen neck glands, regardless of age.
The doctor will advise on the cause and necessary treatment.
If your little one’s skin problem could spread to others, keep them at home until the rash clears up.
Also keep him away from other children and pregnant women.
How to Prevent Red Rashes on Baby’s Skin
In addition, mothers can also prevent rashes in their little ones with several tips that can be done, such as:
- Routinely change baby’s diapers . Wet and dirty diapers for a long time will be a place for viruses and bacteria to gather which can cause skin rashes. Also, make sure baby’s skin stays dry and clean so that skin problems do not arise.
- Usediaper creamwhich is safe for baby’s skin on your little one’s damp body
- Moms can also consider changing the brand of baby diapers if their skin does not suit a particular diaper. Choose a diaper that fits the baby’s body, not too tight or too loose, Mom.
- Use skin care products such as shampoo, soap, or skincare specifically for babies.
- To clean your little one’s clothes, also use a special detergent formulated for baby clothes.
- Ensure personal hygiene before touching or changing baby’s clothes.
- Mothers are also advised to choose comfortable baby clothes , made from cotton and clothes that absorb sweat so as not to trigger skin problems in babies.
- Pay attention to your little one’s nutritional intake , give him nutritious food and avoid foods that can trigger allergies .
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That’s a brief explanation of rashes in babies that parents need to know and be aware of.
Get your baby fully immunized to reduce the risk of more serious skin problems.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
