Rashes are common infant maladies that manifest in nearly 95 percent of neonates. Most skin conditions are relatively benign and can easily be prevented by things such as proper hygiene, vaccinations and vigilant elimination of allergins, while others can be quickly treated with proper antibiotics and antifungals. The type of rash and its treatment depend on its specific cause.
Hygiene
According to the "Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology," diaper rash can be prevented by more frequent diaper changes. The causes of diaper rash include the ammonia in urine, enzymes in feces, constant moisture, candida albicans yeast and friction of the diaper against the child's delicate skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap, is a crusting and scaling of the scalp that can be prevented by shampooing. MayoClinic.com offers a variety of possible causes for this condition, namely a fungus known as malassezia and bacteria growing in the oily secretions of the child's scalp.
Immaturity
Milia and miliaria are conditions that arise from the keratin plugging of immature infant pores. Both are superficial bumps on the skin, yet milia presents on the face, while miliaria appears in truncal sweat glands when the child is hot. Both are benign conditions and resolve after the child has matured.
Cutis marmorata is a reddish-blue mottling of the skin in response to cold temperatures. A normal condition, this rash occurs when skin capillaries dilate in an infant's immature physiological response to cold. It is especially prevalent in premature infants and resolves after one month of age.
In Utero Hormones
A common skin ailment, neonatal acne results from an increased stimulation of maternal androgens during the two months of pregnancy before birth. This form of acne is similar in nature to its adult counterpart in that it presents as pimples on the face, chest and back. This is a self-limiting condition that resolves after the eighth month of life.
Allergies
Foods such as strawberries, peanuts, eggs and shell fish, among others, can result in a welting type rash. Mold, dust, and pet dander also can result in a widespread erythematous rash.
Other rashes such as contact dermatitis can result from allergies to diapers, nickel, formaldehyde found in paper products, topical antibiotics like neomyocin and Rhus genus plants such as poison oak, poison ivy and sumac. Allergic rashes appear anywhere from 48 to 72 hours after exposure. Extremely itchy and red, these rashes can be treated by removing the allergin and applying topical hydrocortisone cream.
Pathogens
Pathogenic causes constitute the largest group of rashes. Viral rashes are known as exanthems, which is a rash accompanied by fever and illness. The conditions included in the viral group are hand-foot-and-mouth disease or coxsackievirus, Fifth disease or "slapped cheek" syndrome caused by the parvovirus B19, chickenpox, which is the varicella virus, and rubella virus.
Bacterial causes include Streptococcus pyrogenes, or the bacteria that causes scarlet fever, and Staphylococcus aureus which is a common cause of impetigo.
Most fungal rashes are caused by Candida albicans. This yeast causes a variety of skin morbidities including diaper rash, ringworm, tinea capitus and cradle cap.
References
- "Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology" 2nd ed.; John Harper, M.D., et al., eds.; 2006
- "Pediatric Dermatology" 3rd ed.; Lawrence Schachner, M.D., and Ronald Hansen, M.D., eds.; 2003
- "Color Atlas & Synopsis of Pediatric Dermatology"; Kay Shou-Mei Kane, M.D., et al.; 2002
- "Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology" 5th ed.; Klaus Wolff, M.D., et al.; 2005
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" 17th ed.; Anthony Fauci, M.D., et al., eds.; 2008
