What Causes Rashes on Baby Skin?

Rashes on a baby’s skin may be caused by miliaria, baby oil or soaps, viruses, bacteria, fungi, excessive dryness, moisture, insect bites, food allergy, and exposure to heat and sun.

A baby’s skin is delicate and can easily break intorashesin response to various surrounding irritants. Most of theserashesdo not need treatment. These go away on their own or with the application ofover-the-countercreams.

Rashes on a baby’s skin may be caused by any of the following

• Miliariaor sweatrash
• Sensitivity to baby oil or soaps
• Bacteria
• Virus
• Fungi
• Excessive dryness
• Moisture
• Insect bites
• Food allergy
• Exposure to heat or sun

The most common disorders that occur with arashin a baby include the following:

• Erythema toxicum:This is a commonnewbornrash. The cause is unknown. This rash doesn’t need any treatment and it disappears within a few days.
• Diaper rash:Diaper rashcan be recognized by red areas formed on the baby’s bottom. Clean the area every time thediaperis changed and wipe it dry. Over-the-counter creams can help soothe the rash.
• Cradle cap:Seborrheic dermatitisis a condition that occurs in newborns often due to the transfer of maternal hormones to thebabies. In babies, it is referred to as cradle cap. Cradle cap is characterized by greasy, yellowish crusts on thescalp. Additionally, the rash may also be found on the face, behind the ear area, and neck. This condition needs medical treatment.
• Neonatalacne:Acnecan affect not onlyteensand adults but also babies. Exposure to maternal hormones in the womb is the most likely cause. It does not need treatment and it usually subsides on its own within a few months.
• 昆虫咬伤:Bites of insects, such as mosquitoes, bees, andbedbugs, can produce a rash that can beitchy, painless, or painful depending on theinsect bite.
• Food allergy:The baby may beallergicto foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, andsoy.
• Baby milia:Baby milia is a common skin rash that affects about 40 to 50 percent of newborns. The rash is in the form of multiple tiny white or yellowbumpsthat are about one to three millimeters in size. They are typically found on the face, particularly around the eye and nose. They are caused by blocked oil glands.
• Eczema:Eczemais characterized by red,itchypatches that develop anywhere on the trunk and lower and upper limbs. It is caused by dry, sensitive skin. The doctor will evaluate the baby’s rash and prescribe medication, such as moisturizer and steroid cream.
• Prickly heat:Also known asheat rash,prickly heatlooks like small red bumps. Typically, areas that are prone tosweatingget this rash. The neck, diaper area, and armpits are the most common areas. To prevent the rash, dress the baby in loose-fitting clothing and always keep the baby in cool and comfortable surroundings.
• Fifth disease(orerythema infectiosum):Fifth diseaseis a viral illness that causes rash andfeverin children, including babies. The rash is often red and typically appears on the cheeks. Additional signs and symptoms includerunny noseandheadaches.
• Candidiasis:Candidiasis is a fungal infection that can develop anywhere in the body, especially in moist or hidden areas, such as the groin region. It can also be found in the mouth (oral thrush) and look like dried milk.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease:Hand, foot, and mouth diseaseis a common rash that appears in children younger than 5 years of age. The red rash appears on the skin near the hands,feet, or mouth and mayblister. Othersymptoms of hand, foot, and mouth diseaseinclude
  • Fever
  • Mouth sores
  • Soreness in throat
  • Loss of appetite
• Sixth disease(or红疹):Roseola is a self-limiting viral infection that most often affects kids 6 months of age to 2 years old. The condition is highlycontagiousand spreads throughcoughing,打喷嚏, or touching infected surfaces.

Other less common causes of rash in babies include the following:

• Impetigo
• 麻疹
• Chickenpox
• Sunburn
• Scabies

If the baby develops a rash with other symptoms, such as acold,sore throat, poor feeding, lethargy, and swelling of the face and hands, visit the doctor as soon as possible to get diagnosed and treated early.