Baby Skin Care Centre

Common baby skin care problems

It can be distressing when your baby develops a nasty looking rash. Most infant and baby skin problems are common though, and can be easily identified and treated. Here's a look at a few of the more common complaints.

It's all in the nappy...

Nappy rash is a very common problem, and most babies will get it at some point.¹

It's usually caused by delicate babies' skin coming into contact with urine and faeces, which can turn into ammonia if baby sits in a soiled nappy for a long period of time. Ammonia irritates a baby's skin, which makes it sore and inflamed.²

Sometimes the friction from a nappy can also cause irritation.

Thankfully, most cases of nappy rash are mild. You'll spot a pink rash, usually made up of small spots or blotches, and covering less than 10% of the nappy area.² It will sting, especially when they fill the nappy.²

More severe nappy rash covers over 10% of the nappy area, and there can also be bright red spots, broken or cracked skin, ulcers and blisters.² In some cases this can spread down the legs or up as far as the abdomen. It can be very painful, and you should contact your healthcare provider if there is a fever, any signs of infection or severe inflammation.²

Another cause of nappy rash is fungal infection. The warm, damp conditions in a baby's nappy can cause a fungus called Candida to grow, and this can irritate their skin too.³

Using a gentle barrier ointment after every change can help protect from the causes of nappy rash, as it prevents the chemicals penetrating into the skin, without drying it out. Look for a clinically proven ointment that doesn't contain any fragrances, preservatives or unnecessary antiseptics, to avoid irritation of what's already a sensitive area of your little one's anatomy.

Atopic Eczema

Atopic eczema usually develops in babies and young children. In fact around eight in 10 cases of atopic eczema will crop up before the age of five, and many babies develop the condition before their first birthday.⁴

Symptoms of atopic eczema can include:

• red, inflamed skin
• dry, cracked skin
• itchy skin
• small blisters, especially on baby's hands and feet, which can become wet and weepy if it's infected⁶

It usually starts as a red rash on a baby's cheeks, which can then spread down to their neck and sometimes to the nappy area. It's important to consult your healthcare provider if you suspect that your baby has eczema They may prescribe steroid creams, which can help. Try to use cotton bedding and clothing to avoid irritation and more itching, and also keep your baby's nails short and clean so that if they do scratch it avoids infection.⁵

Nobody really knows exactly what causes atopic eczema but there can be a genetic link.⁶

Some of the triggers that can set off eczema include:

• detergents, soap or shampoo
• pollen, dust mites, mould or pets
• high or low temperature or humidity
• rough fibres, such as wool⁶

Allergic dermatitis

Sometimes, babies can develop rashes caused by an allergic reaction. A substance, called an allergen, can make your baby's body's immune system react abnormally, which causes irritation.³

Some of the more common allergens include:

• soap
• fragrances
• detergents
• oils and powders

If a reaction occurs, it's often simple to work out what's caused the problem. For example, the rash may have developed after using a new cleansing product. Sometimes it might take some trial and error.³

Sometimes if you can't trace the cause, your healthcare provider might refer your baby for allergy testing, where they are tested for reactions against very small amounts of common allergens.³

Cradle cap

If you notice yellowish greasy or scaly patches on your baby's scalp, it could be cradle cap. It's a harmless and very common condition, and shouldn't cause any problems for your baby. It usually develops in the first three months of life but it shouldn't last more than a few months.⁷ It usually starts on the scalp and can spread behind the ears.⁸

It's not clear what causes cradle cap, but one theory is that it's linked to overactive sebaceous glands, the glands which produce sebum. Babies still have some of their mother's hormones in their systems for some time after they are born, and it's possible that this makes the sebum producing glands more active. The extra sebum causes the dead skin cells to stick to baby's scalp when they should just dry out and fall off.⁷

In some cases, scaly patches may start to show up in other areas, like the groin, armpits, nose or behind the knees. If this happens, it's not cradle cap, but is more likely to be seborrhoeic eczema (dermatitis).⁸

You can find further useful information about nappy rash at www.nhs.uk/conditions/nappy-rash or speak to a healthcare professional.