Rashes common in babies and children

Dry and scaly rashes

Many times babies and young children have a dry skin. This can be the result of a number of conditions, for many which the exact cause is unknown. Here are a few from the more common ones:

Cradle cap: In cradle cap, scales are present on the skin of your baby's head, or on areas of it. This common condition is harmless and usually disappears by itself. Using essential olive oil or petroleum jelly can soften your skin, which makes the scales easier to wash off.

Infantile eczema: A rash affecting your baby's face or even the within the elbows or knees suggests an allergic condition called infantile eczema, which frequently disappears as your child gets older. For mild cases, ask your pharmacist for suitable preparations to soothe and moisturise your baby's skin. If the rash affects wider areas of the body or weeps, see your doctor or practice nurse to go over more treatment options.

Seborrhoic dermatitis: A dry and perhaps inflamed scaly rash affecting wider areas of your baby's body, such as the groin, armpits, face and neck, suggests an ailment called seborrhoic dermatitis. You do not necessarily need to deal with this issue when the rash is mild; be sure that you wash and dry the affected skin folds gently. You may want to ask your pharmacist for preparations that keep the skin nice moist. However, when the rash spreads or the skin begins to break or ooze, an infection may have set in and treatment is essential.

Nappy rash

Rashes round the nappy area are common. Your baby's poo and wee contain irritant substances that can inflame the skin around your baby's genitals and anus if they're in contact with your skin for too much time. Because of this, changing nappies quickly and regularly once they become soiled is important. Sometimes, though, a nappy rash can be cultivated even if you take all of the care in the world to keep your baby clean.

To minimise the risk of nappy rash, and to treat whether it does strike, make sure that you gently wash away any traces of urine or faeces during each nappy change with cotton wool and lukewarm water. Afterwards, apply protective creams for example zinc and using castor oil or petroleum jelly before placing a new nappy on your baby to help clear nappy rash. See your health visitor for advice.

Other rashes

A number of minor and more widespread rashes can impact your skin of your baby or young child. If your baby is otherwise healthy, feeds well and doesn't possess a fever, such rashes are often nothing to worry about and get better on their own. Allow a few days, and find your health visitor or doctor when the rash doesn't disappear.

If your child develops a rash that doesn't temporarily disappear whenever you press on it having a glass, includes a fever and is listless, drowsy or generally unwell, an uncommon and heavy underlying illness, for example meningococcal disease may be the cause.

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