Erythema Toxicum
June 27, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Babies have the most amazing skin. Unlike adults, the brand-new skin of a baby has not been affected by the damaging rays of the sun or environmental factors. Although the skin of a baby is soft and supple, it is not necessarily blemish-free. Babies often have rashes and blemishes that are quite common. Many of these skin conditions do not require special care and eventually correct themselves, but some do require special treatment.
This skin condition sounds rather serious, but it commonly affects up to 50% of all newborn babies. This skin condition is characterized by red flat blotches that appear on the trunk and face of newborns, generally before they are five days old, and it does not require any special treatment. These harmless blotches usually disappear on their own within seven days.
Milia, Cradle Cap, Acne
June 12, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Babies’ skin is supposed to be perfect, so how come your bundle of joy doesn’t look flawless? Newborns go through a lot to enter the world and most end up with some skin conditions. These imperfections shouldn’t alarm or bother you, they certainly aren’t bothering your newest addition (nor should they affect her later in life). Here are a few things that may show up:
Premature babies and even some full term can be born with a soft, fine hair (lanugo) covering the skin. This fur should disappear after a few weeks.
Any patchy, peeling or cracking in your newborn’s skin is normal and should improve over time. If it appears on her head it’s called cradle cap and should clear up on its own after several months.
Baby acne is very common, and doesn’t usually last more than a few months. Don’t try to treat the blemishes yourself with creams or over-washing, it’s best to just let it run its course — the acne will eventually go away.
Milia is another condition that is normal (and looks similar to baby acne) and harmless. The small white spots that occur on baby’s cheeks and nose should fade within a few weeks.
Any small red spots on her forehead, eyelids, lips, and/or neck are caused by stretched blood vessels, and should disappear by the time she is 18 months old.
In the case of your wee one’s skin conditions, patience is the best medicine. If you think your babe is experiencing something more serious (perhaps from an allergic reaction), contact her pediatrician.
