Newborn Care: Rashes, Skin Conditions, and Birthmarks

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No baby is born with perfect skin. Most newborns have normal rashes during the first weeks of life, however, if the rash is blistering, crusty or spreading, it should be checked by your pediatrician.

Baby Acne: Some newborns develop small red bumps on their faces around 3 to 4 weeks of age. This can last until 4 to 6 months of age. The cause is believed to be the transfer of maternal hormones to the baby just before birth. When the baby rubs her face on her blankets, the baby acne might get worse. Since the condition is temporary, usually there is no need for treatment. Call the pediatrician’s office if the baby acne gets severe. Never use adult acne medication.

Cradle Cap: Though not a rash, cradle cap is a skin problem, usually appearing as scaly patches on the scalp. Washing the hair and brushing out the scales daily help control this condition. It usually disappears on its own within the first few months. It can also be treated with a special shampoo. Ask your pediatrician.

Diaper Rash: The first signs of diaper rash are usually redness or small bumps on the lower abdomen, buttocks, genitals and thigh folds – all surfaces that have direct contact with the soiled diaper. Diaper rashes may be prevented by frequently changing soiled diapers and cleaning the diaper area. Rashes that appear will usually go away after letting baby go without a diaper as much as possible and applying soothing creams (such as Desitin, Vaseline or A&D ointment). If the diaper rash does not respond to these measures, call the pediatrician’s office for further advice.

Drooling Rash: When a rash appears on the chin, cheeks or neck, it is often caused by contact with the milk and acid that the baby spits up. Rinse his face with water after all feedings, wet burps or when he spits up.

Erythema Toxicum: This rash looks like small (1/2 to 1 inch) red blotches around tiny white lumps and resembles insect bites. The cause is unknown, but the rash is harmless and usually disappears by 2 weeks of age.

Milia: These are tiny white bumps that appear on the nose and cheeks and sometimes on the forehead and chin. Milia might at first look like pimples. They are blocked skin pores which will open up and disappear by 1 to 2 months of age. Never squeeze them.

Birthmarks: Birthmarks frequently show up on a baby’s eyelids, neck and forehead. Most will soon disappear. Many babies have blue-colored birthmarks on the lower back and buttocks and sometimes on the arms, legs and shoulders. They usually fade but don’t disappear completely. Your baby’s pediatrician can help you understand the origin and type of a birthmark.

Hemangiomas: Blood vessel malformations on the skin are called hemangiomas. When the condition involves only the capillaries (small vessels near the skin surface), the birthmark that develops is called a strawberry hemangioma. When the blood vessels are full-sized veins or a mixture of capillaries and veins, it may be a different type, such as a port wine stain. All types of hemangiomas should be checked by your pediatrician as your baby grows. Though the spots are not usually a health problem, they can worry parents.