Many babies will have a rash of some type during their first year of life. Rashes are different than birthmarks. Most of the time rashes go away by themselves and do not need treatment. You may notice some of the following rashes on your baby.
Milia are small white or yellow pinpoint sized spots that appear on a baby's face, usually the nose or chin. They are blocked skin pores. They will disappear on their own during the first few months of life. Do not squeeze or apply any special creams or lotions.
Erythema toxicum is a common rash that begins within the first week after birth. It then goes away without treatment during the second week of life. It appears as small blotchy red areas with raised white or yellow centers. There may be many blotches, especially on the trunk.
Newborn acne is a rash that looks very much like acne. It appears as small red bumps on the cheeks, chin, and forehead. It is thought to be caused by hormones and appears 2 to 4 weeks after birth. It typically goes away on its own within a few months without treatment.
Cradle cap appears on the baby's head and begins the first week of life. Hormones that cross the placenta before birth probably cause cradle cap. There may be yellow crust on the scalp. Baby oil or olive oil applied to the scalp one hour before washing the baby's hair will help to soften the crust. Be sure to wash all the oil off and use a soft brush or washcloth to loosen the scaly crust. Shampooing with a non-prescription anti-dandruff shampoo will cure mild cases of cradle cap. Once the cradle cap has cleared, use a regular shampoo twice a week. If the cradle cap lasts more than 2 weeks with treatment, call your health care provider.
Miliaria or heat rash appears on the head, neck, upper chest, and in the skin folds. The rash looks like very small pink bumps, or sometimes tiny blisters with clear fluid. It will go away on its own. You can prevent heat rash by reducing you baby's exposure to heat and not dressing your baby in too many clothes or in clothing that is too tight.
Eczema is a rash that starts as an itchy, red area on the cheeks, outer elbows, wrists and knees. It may develop into small sores or blisters. Children with eczema have dry skin. Eczema is a sign of an allergic reaction. Foods or exposure to fabrics, rugs, soaps, or laundry detergents can cause eczema. If your baby develops a rash on his face, wash the area with cool water and no soap. Immediately after a bath, use non-perfumed skin creams to decrease dryness. Use soft clothing made from cotton fabrics on the baby. Keep the baby's nails clipped to prevent damage from scratching. Your health care provider may be able to help identify what your baby is allergic to. The provider may suggest a steroid cream.
A rash may also be a sign of many common childhood diseases. Rarely, a rash may be a sign of a serious infection or other condition. Any true blisters or pimples, which are bumps containing fluid or pus that occur during the first month of life (especially on the scalp) should be examined by your health care provider.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File CHL3759F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
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