MM Baby’s skin
Itchy and scratchy
There’s nothing as beautiful as a baby’s soft, blemish-free skin, is there? But sometimes babies can experience minor skin irritations. MM takes a look at the most common complaints…
Unfortunately, babies are prone to a range of completely benign spots, blemishes and birthmarks. We’re going to look at some of the most common mild irritations, but if you have any concerns about blemishes on your baby’s face or body, then have them checked out by your GP or midwife.
Dry skin Just as with adults, babies can experience dry skin. In fact, because young skin is more delicate, your child’s skin is actually more susceptible to becoming dry. If you find that your baby is prone to patches of dry skin, then cut back on the amount of time he or she spends in the bath, as this tends to remove the skin’s natural oils. You don’t have to cut out bathing completely but, instead of a twenty-minute bath, cut bath time down to about ten minutes. Use warm water and a fragrance-free, soap- free cleanser, as this will be much less harsh than regular soap. Bath oils may seem like the perfect solution to dry skin, but they can make the bath dangerously slippery, so it’s better to apply some type of emollient or moisturising cream after the bath.
Cradle cap Cradle cap is a crusting and scaling rash, which is found on the scalp of many healthy babies. As adults, we are constantly ‘making’ new skin cells at about
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the same rate that we lose old, dry skin cells. In many healthy infants, however, the skin cells on their scalp grow faster than they fall off, leaving a layer of somewhat crusty, extra skin. If your baby develops cradle cap, patchy scales will develop on the scalp or around the ear or eyebrows. These scales can appear cracked, greasy or even ‘weeping’. Treatment is generally not required, but, if you find that your baby is itching or scratching the affected areas, then simply rub a small amount of baby oil into the patch and brush the loosened scales away with a soft brush or a washcloth.
Milk spots Milk spots are tiny white spots, which appear on the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead or around the eyes. They are extremely common in newborns and normally appear a couple of weeks after birth because the oil glands on the face are still developing. Your baby’s milk spots won’t cause him or her any pain or discomfort beyond a mild itchiness and they should clear up on their own within a month.
Baby eczema Eczema is a term used to describe a range of skin conditions which are characterised by very dry skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but, in babies, it mainly manifests
itself on the scalp, forehead or chest. At its most severe, eczema can be incredibly itchy and irritating for your baby. Try to keep his or her skin moist by generously applying a moisturiser several times a day. Also, bath your baby in lukewarm water rather than very warm, as this will help his or her skin to retain moisture and stay hydrated, and avoid using soap- based bath products. Opt instead for those designed for babies with sensitive skin.
Baby acne Shortly after birth, or usually within a few weeks of birth, you may notice a rash on your baby’s face that resembles acne. It’s actually baby acne, but the causes are quite different in nature from common adult acne. Baby acne is most commonly present on the cheeks of a newborn, but can also be found on the forehead, chin, or even the back. The outbreaks resemble small whiteheads ringed by reddish skin. Although baby acne is quite common, affecting almost 20 per cent of all newborn babies, an exact, proven cause has yet to be discovered. The best course of treatment is to wash your baby’s skin once a day with a mild soap and clean, warm water. Don’t scrub the area or use medicated soaps, as both of these techniques will make the condition worse and aggravate the skin.
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