Advice: Baby Rashes and How to Treat them

Different rashes are very common in babies. Like what I always said, I have this on-going battle with getting rid of my baby's irritating rashes. But at least, I am handling it well. Rashes could be normal or it could be bad but never under-estimate this harmless symptoms because you will never know the worse. FIY, I could have wanted to add in pictures but after googling them, Nevermind!

Top 5 Rashes and Treatments for Babies:

1. Diaper Rash - Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom. Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers.

Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics. Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies.

To prevent diaper rash

• Change diapers early and often. Too much moisture, too little air, and prolonged contact with pee and poop are a sure-fire rash recipe.
• Clean and pat (don’t rub) your baby’s bottom until it’s completely dry before you put on diaper cream — adding ointment to an even slightly damp bottom locks in moisture and ups the odds of a rash. And opt for a fragrance-free cream.
• Work a little bare-butt time into your darling’s day. Every few changes, put your baby on a waterproof pad, sans diaper, and play with him while his backside gets a breather.
• Limit acidy foods and drinks. Citrus fruits and juices often cause explosive (and smelly) poops that sting your tot’s tush. If you’re nursing, watch your own intake of citrus, tomatoes, and other acidic foods.

Treatment for Diaper Rash - Remember to apply barrier cream every after nappy change (e.g. sudocrem, desitin blue). Put a healing ointment if rashes break out. (e.g. bepanthen, desitin purple). Barrier creams and Healing ointments works differently so address each nappy change carefully or your baby will immune and rashes will keep coming back.

2. Heat Rash - Heat rash (prickly heat) is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered by clothing. It can develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. This is the most common rash in babies. 

In babies, heat rash can be caused by well-meaning parents who dress their baby too warmly, but it can happen to any baby in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed as an adult would be to be comfortable at the same temperature and activity level. Babies' hands and feet may feel cool to your touch but that does not mean they need to be dressed too warmly in hot weather.

Heat rash looks like dots or tiny pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, and, in rare cases, a secondary skin infection may develop.

Treatment for Heat Rash - Moisturise your baby after bath and apply prickly heat powder after mid day when the heat is up. Products that works best for me: California Baby and Bepanthen. Remember to dress your little one in loose, lightweight clothes, and remove layers if he seems too warm.

3. Eczema - Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema (the most common form of eczema). Atopic eczema mainly affects children, but it can continue into adulthood or start later in life. 

Eczema is a chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, reddened, cracked and dry.

Treatment for Eczema - Steroids are prescribed when eczema is at its worst but you know there are side effects to it right? Topic creams are available like California baby and Mustella that you could buy off the shelves rather than risking side effects.

4. Baby acne - Baby acne is acne that develops on a newborn's skin. Baby acne can occur anywhere on the face, but usually appears on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Baby acne is common — and temporary. There's little you can do to prevent baby acne, you just have to be patient and treat it.

Treatment for Baby acne - You can pat some breastmilk over the area that is affected. I tried California baby and it worked wonders!

5. Milia - Milia are tiny white bumps that most commonly appear across a baby's nose, chin or cheeks. Although milia can develop at any age, these tiny white bumps are common among newborns. In fact, up to half of all babies develop milia. You can't prevent milia, but the good news is that milia usually disappear on their own in a few weeks.

Preventing Baby Rashes

• Use a gentle, baby laundry detergent. Harsher products intended for grown-ups can irritate sensitive baby skin.
• In the bath, clean up with a gentle, hypoallergenic cleanser (not standard soap) — and use as little of it as possible. Also keep baths relatively short.
• Use warm and not hot water. The best water to use if your baby is senstive is cooled boiled water rather than tap water. 

Natural Baby Rash Treatments

• Cool compresses can cut crankiness. Soak a clean washcloth in cold water, wring it out, and lay it over the irritated area for up to ten minutes at a time. Repeat as often as you like.
• Adding bath oil or colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath is an easy and effective baby rash treatment. You could also raid your pantry: Wrap a cup of edible oatmeal in a clean washcloth, twist close, soak until thoroughly wet, and then drizzle the oatmeal-infused water gently over your sweetie’s skin — or just swish oatmeal through the bathwater.
• Do not use baby wipes for a while. Switch to plain water on a washcloth or cotton balls for cleanups.
• Diaper-free time is both a rash-prevention practice and a natural baby rash cure. Let your baby air out his rear end for a few minutes at a time as often as possible.

Other Rashes 

• Erythema toxicum - Half of all newborns will develop a blotchy red skin reaction called erythema toxicum, usually at two or three days old. It is a normal newborn rash that won't bother your baby and will soon clear after a few days
• Ringworm - Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that causes a ring-like red rash almost anywhere on the body (the baby's scalp, feet and groin are common areas). It is usually easily treated using over-the-counter creams.
• Impetigo - Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the surface layers of the skin, which causes sores and blisters. It is not usually serious but you can visit your GP for a prescription of antibiotics, which should clear the infection within 7-10 days.
• Hives - Hives (also known as urticaria) is a raised, red itchy rash that appears on the skin. It happens when a trigger (such as a food that your baby is allergic to) causes a protein called histamine to be released into their skin. The rash is usually short-lived and can be controlled with antihistamines. However, if your baby gets hives repeatedly, it's important to see your GP, as your baby may be allergic to something they are being fed frequently, such as cow's milk.
• Slapped cheek syndrome - Slapped cheek syndrome (also known as fifth disease) is a viral infection that is particularly common in children and babies. It typically causes a bright red rash on both cheeks and a fever. Most babies will not need treatment as slapped cheek syndrome is usually a mild condition that passes in a few days.
• Erythema multiforme - Erythema multiforme is a skin reaction triggered by medication, an infection (usually the herpes simplex virus) or an illness. Red spots develop on the hands or feet before spreading across the body. Your baby will probably feel unwell and may have a fever, but you should be able to treat these symptoms with over-the-counter medicine. It may take two to six weeks before your baby feels better.
• Hand, foot and mouth disease - Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common, mild viral illness that causes a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Your baby may feel unwell and have a fever. Treatment is usually not needed as the baby's immune system clears the virus and symptoms go away after about 7 to 10 days. If you're worried, see your GP.
• Keratosis pilaris ("chicken skin") - Keratosis pilaris is a harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples. There's no cure for this skin complaint, but it shouldn't bother your baby.
• Meninigitis - It's important to be aware of the warning signs of meningitis in your baby. If you think your baby has these symptoms, bring her to nearest clinic or hospital. Warning signs include:
• becoming floppy and unresponsive, or stiff with jerky movements
• becoming irritable and not wanting to be held
• unusual crying
• vomiting and refusing feeds
• pale and blotchy skin
• loss of appetite
• staring expression
• very sleepy with a reluctance to wake up
• Some babies will develop a swelling in the soft part of their head (fontanelle).


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Trust your instincts. If you think your baby has Rashes that is alarming to you , see your GP immediately or go to your nearest hospital A&E.

Has your baby experienced Rashes? How did you get rid of it?