When your baby's sweet, delicate skin is plagued with a bumpy, red rash, you're right to be concerned. Although a skin rash is pretty common in babies, it doesn't mean it might not be causing your little one some discomfort. You'll need to take a careful look at your baby's skin to figure out what type of rash is bothering her so you can figure out what you need to do about it.
Step 1
Look for signs of diaper rash. This common rash occurs beneath a baby's diaper and occurs when a damp diaper soils the skin. Diaper rash is red and irritated and may look scaly. If it's more severe, the skin may even blister and spread the rash to the skin outside the diaper.
Step 2
Check baby's scalp. Cradle cap, or seborrheic dermatitis, commonly appears before 3 months of age. It only appears on the scalp and looks like scaly patches of crusty skin, which may also appear greasy.
Step 3
Check for baby acne. Baby acne is very common in newborns, and it looks like tiny red bumps or pimples that pop up on the face. The red bumps often have small white centers.
Step 4
Examine the skin for eczema. This skin condition has a genetic link, so if a parent has it and you see a rash on baby's skin, it could be eczema. On babies, eczema looks like dark red patches of dry, scaly skin that cause the baby discomfort because they itch. After a while, the skin may become thickened.
Step 5
Learn to spot heat rash. If the baby is too hot, tiny blisters or little red bumps may appear when baby's skin becomes clogged with too much sweat. Babies can sweat to release heat, but their pores can become clogged up if they sweat too much, and a heat rash can result. This type of skin rash is most common during hot and humid weather.
Step 6
Look for signs of hives. A baby may get hives, which often signal an allergic reaction. But it's not understood what causes hives in babies. Hives look like raised red bumps all over the body, and may last several weeks.
Tips and Warnings
- Figure out what's causing your baby's rash, and how to appropriately treat it. For instance, keep baby's bottom clean and dry if diaper rash is the problem (see Resources).
- If your baby seems ill or uncomfortable don't hesitate to call your pediatrician.
