Kids & Sensitive Skin
When your baby is born, their skin will often be reddish-purple in color. As they start to breathe air on their own, their skin should transition to more of a red color, which will then fade during the first day after birth.
Babies naturally have skin that’s more sensitive than older children and adult’s skin, which makes it harder for parents to spot when their baby has certain sensitivities.
Common skin irritations & causes
Rashes
From spit-up, drool, or heat. These are very common and can occur anytime during infancy.
Baby Acne
Acne is very common within 2 to 4 weeks after birth.
You can use lukewarm water to clean their face and affected areas but don’t apply acne creams or ointments. The acne will generally clear on its own without formal treatment.
Milia
These are tiny white bumps that appear on the face. Around 40 percent of babies will have milia at birth.
Eczema
Eczema is a common, chronic skin condition. On babies, it often appears on the cheeks first and then spreads to the rest of the face, legs, and arms. Typical treatment includes applying unscented, dye-free moisturizers to the affected area at least twice a week, especially after bathing.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap causes a greasy, scaly rash to appear on your baby’s scalp or forehead or around their ears. It’s not contagious and doesn’t require medical treatment in most cases.
To treat cradle cap, wash your baby’s scalp and gently scrub the scales to remove them. If it doesn’t get better with bathing or if the rash spreads, talk to your baby’s doctor.
Heat Rash
Heat rash is a common irritation that can appear on babies at almost any time of year. It usually appears on the folds of your baby’s skin or where clothing is tight. A heat rash occurs because the sweat glands are blocked.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction on the skin. It can present as a rash, swelling, oozing, or hives. The reaction occurs because your baby came in contact with something that irritated their skin.