The appearance of a rash on the body of an infant becomes a cause for serious unrest. Rashes can be infectious, viral or bacterial in nature. In order for the trouble not to be taken by surprise, parents should know in advance as much as possible about this skin pathology.
Types of rashes
There are several types of rash in infants and babies. The causes, characteristic features and the place of its occurrence directly depend on the variety of pathology. Experts say that not every rash requires special treatment, it depends on the cause of its appearance. In this regard, the following types of skin rashes in infants are distinguished:
- hormonal rashes (acne);
- allergic rash;
- infectious pathology;
- contact dermatitis;
- prickly heat;
- atopic dermatitis;
- diaper dermatitis.
In newborn children , simple redness of the skin can often be observed, which should not worry parents. This is a common skin reaction to a new environment, due to imperfection of thermoregulation of the baby. Therefore, small peeling and redness on the skin of a newly born baby are not cause for concern and do not require any treatment.
Hormonal rash
A rash on the face and body of the baby, caused by hormonal changes, looks like small pink pimples with dense white contents. They are similar to ordinary eels. These rashes are characteristic only for infants, they appear on the 2-3rd day after birth. There are several names for the hormonal rash: acne, mile, neonatal pustulosis. The main cause of acne is the presence of maternal hormones in the body of the newborn, which affect the functioning of the sebaceous glands. The latter are not yet adapted to normal operation, therefore, cause a large accumulation of fat. This contributes to the formation of a rash, which spreads mainly on the face (rarely on the neck and body) of the baby. It is worth noting that the well-being of the baby does not suffer from this. Body temperature and behavior of the newborn remain normal. However, mom should remember that combing pimples can cause infection. Therefore, combing should be avoided, and open wounds should be treated with chamomile solution.
Allergic rashes
Such a rash on the body of an infant appears as a result of the development of an allergy. Some food products used by mom, medicines, milk formula, clothes, household chemicals, etc. can act as irritants. In this regard, allergies are divided into food, contact, respiratory and drug allergies. The main sign of the appearance of such a reaction in a baby is considered to be red rashes on the body.
Symptoms of food allergies are as follows:
- peeling of the skin;
- redness of the cheeks;
- itching
- the formation of scales from dry skin on the head;
- swelling of the mucous membranes.
The food allergen may be an adapted mixture, complementary foods or mother's milk. Respiratory allergies occur as a result of the body reacting to an inhaled allergen. Therefore, the main symptoms are: sneezing, copious secretion of nasal mucus, swelling. A secondary sign is the appearance of an allergic rash on the body of the baby (most often on the handles). If such symptoms are found, consult a doctor. To determine whether the rashes are allergic, a specialist will prescribe an antihistamine. If, as a result of its use, the rash decreases, then it was definitely caused by an allergen.
Separately, it should be said about allergies to drugs. These include:
- syrups;
- ointments;
- vitamins;
- vaccinations given.
The main symptom of such an allergy is the appearance of a red rash throughout the body in the baby. Over time, it merges into formations, which are very itchy and cause discomfort to the baby. With the cancellation of the allergen drug, the skin heals quickly enough.
Contact dermatitis
Allergies can be caused by contact with chemicals contained in washing powder, shampoo, soap, body cream, synthetic tissues, etc. If left untreated, the allergy will develop into contact dermatitis. It is characterized by the appearance of peeling on the skin and the formation of crusts. This type of allergy provokes the appearance of a rash on the body of the baby only in the place where the contact with the allergen occurred.
Hives
The name of the disease speaks for itself. A rash on hives looks like a large burn caused by nettles. The child experiences constant discomfort due to itching. If urticaria is not treated, then large blisters with fluid inside will appear at the site of the rash. They can be of any size and affect different parts of the body. Urticaria is considered a severe form of allergy and can cause Quincke's edema.
The causes of a rash in an infant throughout the body with urticaria are as follows:
- overheating or hypothermia;
- severe stress;
- infection;
- tight straps on a car seat or elastic bands on clothes;
- the presence of helminths in the children's body.
If parents suspected urticaria in an infant, they should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.
Infectious rash
Sometimes a large or small rash on the body of an infant can be caused by infection in the body. Then other symptoms are added to skin rashes: fever, lethargy, moods, digestive disorders, etc. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, so if the symptoms appear, you should contact the clinic. Infectious diseases, accompanied by the appearance of a rash on the skin of the baby, are as follows:
- Rubella and measles. These are children's pathologies that are under the age of three years are relatively easy to carry and have no consequences. With rubella, the primary symptoms are cough and sore throat, and occipital lymph nodes may become inflamed. The rash with such diseases merges into spots and may be accompanied by chills, fever, fever.
- Chickenpox. This disease is also better to get sick at an early age. A chickenpox rash gradually spreads throughout the body and looks like small red pimples with fluid inside. When the bubble bursts, a crust forms in its place.
- Scarlet fever. It is characterized by the appearance of a small red rash on the body of the baby (first on the face, and then spreads to the whole body). A distinctive feature is a clean nasolabial triangle. After the rashes pass, scaly spots remain in their place. At the same time, the baby has inflammation of the tonsils. Scarlet fever is a contagious disease, so the child will need isolation for 10 days.
- Thrush. This is a fungal disease characterized by the appearance of a rash on the mucous membranes. It looks like a white coating. The disease is treated only with antibiotics.
- Roseola (exanthema). For this exclusively pediatric pathology, rashes are characteristic, as with chickenpox. They are very itchy and peeling. At the same time, the child will have a high fever, which can last up to three days.
When a baby rashes, which are accompanied by alarming symptoms (fever, cough, fever, etc.), parents should call a doctor at home. This will prevent other children from becoming infected. Do not self-medicate, as improper or delayed treatment of any of the above diseases can cause serious consequences.
Prickly heat
A colorless rash on the body of a baby with a pinkish tint may appear as a result of improper skin care. Most often this happens due to excess wrapping up the baby. Thermoregulation in babies is still poorly developed, so more often than not prickly heat occurs in the folds of the body. Axillary, inguinal and lumbar areas are particularly affected. Rashes with sweating are small, round and dry. They do not cause the baby discomfort and do not carry any threat. To avoid sweating, it is necessary to timely process the folds, adjust the room temperature, conduct hardening procedures and not wrap the baby.
Diaper dermatitis
The appearance of a small-pointed rash on the body in an infant can be caused by a prolonged stay in a diaper or diaper. Natural bowel movements of a child often cause skin irritation and even the formation of small sores in the groin and in the ass. If the baby has a diaper rash, then it should be washed more thoroughly after each diaper change. It is also necessary to arrange air baths several times a day and pay attention to the quality of diapers. It is better to purchase diapers made of hypoallergenic "breathing" materials. Affected areas can be lubricated with a baby cream containing zinc oxide. The appearance of diaper dermatitis in a baby should not be ignored, since a bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment can join it.
Atopic dermatitis
This pathology can be caused by heredity or adverse environmental factors. Atopic dermatitis can also develop as a result of the reaction of the child's body to dust, animal hair, household chemicals or plant pollen. The description of the rash on the child’s body, characteristic of the pathology, is as follows: small bubbles with liquid, gradually merging into spots with a dense crust. The lesions are often the hands, knees and cheeks of the baby. Atopic dermatitis refers to a number of serious allergic pathologies. The disease is often accompanied by inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of the causes of a rash on the body of a baby is based on the appearance of the lesions, the location of their localization, as well as the analysis of the accompanying symptoms. Serious pathologies can develop against the background of the rash, so it can not be ignored. The alarming symptoms that require immediate medical attention are:
- increase in body temperature to high levels;
- the rash spreads quickly and is accompanied by severe itching;
- a sharp deterioration in the overall well-being of the baby;
- development of edema;
- the appearance of vomiting;
- headache;
- fever and chills.
A dangerous symptom will be the appearance of star-shaped hemorrhages on the skin in places of rashes. This may indicate meningococcal infection. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, monotonous cry of the child, the appearance of a petechial rash (minor hemorrhages). If you do not seek medical help on time, then there is a risk of developing sepsis (blood poisoning) and meningococcemia (pathogen getting into the blood). Such complications usually cause anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome.
The main treatment for rashes in babies is aimed at eliminating the causes of its appearance. If the rash is allergic in nature, then you need to eliminate the allergen, adjust the mother’s nutrition and, if necessary, undergo treatment with antihistamines. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs. Such a condition as acne does not involve treatment, after 2-3 weeks it goes away on its own. Diaper dermatitis and prickly heat require special skin care for the baby and certain temperature conditions in the house. In addition, it is possible to use ointments containing zinc oxide. To treat a rash caused by an infection, the doctor will prescribe antibacterial drugs aimed at eliminating the pathogen. In addition to drug treatment of a rash in a baby prescribed by a doctor, it is possible to use powders, drying creams and baths with medicinal herbs. However, it should be remembered that the use of even such harmless means can have negative consequences. Therefore, in any case, it is better to consult with a specialist first.
What to do is prohibited
If the baby has rashes on the skin, parents are strictly prohibited:
- touch pimples with your hands and squeeze them;
- open bubbles;
- abuse green stuff.
It should be remembered that any coloring matter penetrates quickly enough under the skin of the baby. Even a harmless, at first glance, green remedy can harm a baby if they lubricate a large area of the body. When a rash appears on the baby’s body, it is necessary to carefully monitor that he does not comb it. Any open wound is a direct path to infection. You can buy your baby special thin gloves and put on his hands during this period.
The appearance of a rash on the body in a baby can be both an independent phenomenon caused by changes in the internal environment of the baby's body, and a symptom of a serious infectious disease. Therefore, any rashes on the skin of an infant cannot be ignored. It is better to immediately consult a doctor who will conduct the necessary observations and prescribe adequate treatment.