Common Type of Skin Allergies to Infants
Babies have sensitive skin and are more delicate than the skin of older children or adults. It means they develop dry skin and rashes after coming into contact with various substances that may not bother other babies, such as dyes, scents, or soaps.
Babies can have an allergic reaction for a variety of reasons, including the following:
-
Baby Eczema
– it is also known as Atopic Dermatitis, a common skin condition that affects babies. Eczema causes rough, flaky patches on a baby’s skin to become itchy, dry and bumpy. The most common place for eczema symptoms to affect your baby is on their face, and then spread to legs and arms.
-
Diaper Rash
– it is also called Diaper Dermatitis or Nappy Rash, a common form of irritated skin that looks like patches of sore skin, usually found in the diaper area, which includes your baby’s bottom, upper thighs, and genitals. Often associated with skin sensitivity, rubbing or prolonged exposure to urine and feces.
-
Cradle Cap
– these are scaly patches on a baby’s scalp or forehead, but they are not that itchy and irritated. The cradle cap is not contagious, but it can cause thick crusting and white or yellow scales, and often appear on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids and eyebrows, and around their ears.
-
Heat Rash
– it is also known as Prickly Heat or Milaria Rubra, a common irritation that can appear on babies and usually appears in the first month of their lives. Babies have delicate skin and this type of skin condition appears as bumps or blisters on the baby’s skin and usually resolves on its own. A heat rash occurs because the sweat glands are blocked.
-
Hives
– it is also called Urticaria, a raised patch on the baby’s skin that may be red and swollen, and often very itchy. It may disappear within hours, days, or weeks.
-
Impetigo
– it is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on a baby’s body. It starts as a red, itchy sore and usually affects exposed skin, such as the nose and mouth.
-
Baby Acne
– it is also known as Neonatal Acne, a small, sore bump on a baby’s face, neck, back or chest.
-
Pityriasis Rosea
– this is a common skin condition that causes a temporary rash of raised red scaly patches on a baby’s body.
-
Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum (ETN)
– this is a skin condition in babies that looks like acne. A common, harmless rash seen in full-term newborns, and it usually appears in the first few days after birth and fades within 5 to 14 days.
-
Ringworm
– ringworm is a mild infection that can appear anywhere on the body, but can be more itchy or painful for babies.
Sometimes, parents and caregivers can treat allergic reactions in babies at home. However, in some cases, it is best to see a doctor. Seek medical advice from professionals if your baby’s skin allergies do not begin to improve within a week of starting over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams, or continue to worsen over time. This requires immediate medical attention and will need to be treated.
Facebook: Eden Grace Maids