A baby's skin characteristics vary depending upon the length of pregnancy. An infant born prematurely will have thin, transparent skin while a full-term infant will have thicker, more pigmented skin. Baby's skin goes through a process of change after birth. A newborn's skin is prone to rashes and is easily irritated. However, most skin irritations that babies experience are harmless and go away on their own.
Newborn Skin
The Ohio State Medical Center reports that a healthy newborn has deep red skin and bluish hands and feet. Babies are born with vernix, a thick, waxy substance covering their skin. This substance serves to protect their skin from the amniotic fluid in the womb and washes off during the first bath. Additionally, a baby may be born with lanugo, which is a fine hair covering the scalp, forehead, cheeks and shoulders. It disappears within the first few weeks of life.
Changes in Skin
Medline Plus states that after birth, a baby's skin lightens and becomes dry and flaky. A newborn's skin is sensitive to temperature changes as it may turn red when the infant is warm or blue when the baby is cold. Additionally, babies can develop stork bites, or pale pink marks, on their face and neck. Mongolian spots, which are most commonly seen in dark-skinned children, are bluish marks on the lower back or bottom.
Rash Characteristics
The "Merck Manual" reports a number of known rashes which are likely to affect the sensitive skin of infants. The cause of a rash ranges from simple irritation to bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Symptoms frequently include bright red or yellow scales, itching, and pearly pimples, bumps or cysts. Skin rashes among infants and children are typically not serious and are not long lasting.
Common Rashes
The "Merck Manual" names several common infantile rashes. Diaper rash is a bright red rash caused by irritation from prolonged skin contact with urine or stool beneath a diaper. Cradle cap is a crusty rash that occurs on an infant's head. Milia are small, pearly cysts on the face. Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin, more commonly known as ringworm. Eczema is a scaly, dry rash that is most common where the arm and leg joints bend. It tends to worsen with cold, dry weather.
Potential Irritants
According to "Skin Care for Newborns," even products intended for use by infants can cause skin irritation. Soap, baby powder and bubble bath products based on detergents and artificial scents tend to destroy beneficial bacteria and cause itching. Shampoos that contain synthetic fragrances, artificial colors or preservatives often cause allergic reactions. Depending upon the amount of hair, gentle soaps can often be used in place of harsh shampoos.
Tips to Avoid Irritation
Healthy Child Healthy World states that when selecting a suitable skin care product, it is important to choose products designed specifically for babies and that are made from natural ingredients. Products containing fragrances and synthetic chemicals can emit volatile compounds which overwhelm the skin and respiratory system. Soaps based on olive, coconut or palm oil or calendula are recommended. Other helpful hints include applying lotion to replenish the natural oils, limiting sun exposure, dressing the baby in loose clothing to promote air circulation and using a clean wash cloth in place of artificial wipes.
