Common Skin Ailments in Babies

An explosive dirty diaper. Fingernails that seem to grow an inch a day. An incredibly strong, vise-like grip. Just when you think your newborn has no more surprises for you, something unexpected appears on your baby's skin. Maybe your baby's once-flawless complexion has broken out like a teenager's. Or perhaps you noticed a flaking scalp that is worse than any dandruff you've ever had. Could this all be normal?

Most of the skin ailments that infants get are harmless and need no real treatment. Here's a rundown of the most common causes of skin rashes and irritation in babies:

1. Baby acne looks just like you'd expect: tiny pimples on your baby's face or back. It usually appears after the first week or two and goes away on its own before the baby is 6 months old. No treatment is needed. In fact, using creams or cleansers can irritate the skin and make it worse.
2. Cradle cap is marked by patches of flakes or greasy scales on a baby's scalp. Doctors don't know the cause, but the condition is harmless. You can rub a small amount of pure olive oil on the affected area to loosen the flakes. Then gently comb or brush it through before using a mild baby shampoo to wash all the oil away.
3. Heat rash, or prickly heat, consists of small red bumps that usually appear in places where baby's clothes fit snugly against the skin. You might notice the rash on your baby's chest, arms and buttocks and in the leg and neck creases. While the rash itself is usually not harmful, it's a sign your baby is overheated. Remove any extra layers to help cool him or her down.
4. Yeast infections occur wherever skin is moist, like the creases and folds in your baby's diaper area. If you notice a persistent red diaper rash that doesn't respond to over-the-counter diaper creams, talk to your child's doctor. You may need to use an antifungal ointment to clear the rash.
5. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an itchy rash that can appear anywhere on the body. The patches may be dry and scaly or red and oozing. The condition is not always caused by an allergy, but certain foods or substances - like soaps or detergents - may make an outbreak worse. To reduce irritation, dress your baby in non-irritating fabrics like cotton. Also limit baths, which can be drying.
6. Milia are tiny bumps found on a newborn's cheeks, nose and chin. They are harmless and will go away on their own in a few weeks.
7. Erythema toxicum can cause large red splotches on a newborn's body. Almost half of all babies have this harmless rash, which usually disappears after a week or two.