Rashes are a common infant ailment. Usually harmless, most infant rashes are the result of irritation or are viral, bacterial or fungal in nature. For many of these conditions there are measures parents can take to alleviate symptoms or prevent them altogether.
Diaper rash
Diaper rash caused by prolonged contact with urine or stool usually appears on a baby's bottom or genitalia. When caused by the fungus candida, however, this rash usually appears in skin creases, according to Merck Manuals. Parents can alleviate or avoid diaper rash altogether by choosing diapers made with an absorbent gel and by changing diapers as soon as they get soiled. Parents who use cloth diapers should temporarily skip using the plastic pants that go over the diaper, as they can trap moisture and exacerbate diaper rash. When it's practical, you can also allow the baby to go diaper free.
Wash irritated skin with mild water and soap, and follow up with a moisturizer and barrier ointment such as zinc oxide, petroleum jelly or diaper-rash cream. Many doctors prescribe an anti-fungal cream after diagnosing a candida diaper rash infection.
Eczema
Eczema or atopic dermatitis affects almost 20 percent of infants and young children, according to the Baby Center website. Symptoms include patches of red, scaly and dry skin on arm and leg creases. Although the cause of this skin condition remains unknown, many doctors think it's related to heredity and allergies.
For infants older than 6 months, a 10-minute soak in a tub filled with water and a half cup of bleach can relieve the itching of eczema, according to a study initially published in the 2009 "Pediatrics" journal and reported in the April, 2009 issue of "Time" magazine. Other eczema treatment options safe for babies include frequent skin moisturizing and the use of a humidifier to help the skin retain moisture. Parents should try to avoid food or environmental triggers that can cause eczema and select soap and detergents labeled allergy free. Last, parents should dress their baby in loose clothing made from breathable fabrics such as cotton, because coarse fabrics can exacerbate eczema.
Cradle Cap
Like eczema, the cause of cradle cap is unknown. Symptoms include a crusty yellow or red rash on the scalp. Parents can treat this harmless condition by shampooing and massaging petroleum jelly or mineral oil into the scalp, according to the Merck website. When these efforts fail, doctors may recommend a shampoo with selenium or corticosteroid cream. Most cases of cradle cap resolve themselves by the time the child reaches 6 months of age.
Milia
Almost half of all newborns experience milia, according to Dr. Alan Greene of DrGreene.com. Most often on the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead, these small white bumps do not require treatment and usually disappear by the age of 3 months. Milia occur when skin cells get trapped in the facial glands. Parents should avoid pinching or scrubbing the bumps, which will only exacerbate this condition.
Baby Acne
Baby acne appears as red or white bumps on a baby's forehead or cheeks and is usually caused by exposure to pregnancy hormones in utero. Parents can wash their baby's face once a day with water and mild soap, taking care to avoid scratching or scrubbing. Baby acne usually appears after the first month of life and disappears within three months, according to the Mayo Clinic.
