Don’t get alarmed if your baby is developing rashes, it is quite common. Though not very serious, it can be quite uncomfortable and might irritate your baby. But at the same time, you must be aware of the most common rashes that your babies might be affected by. The most common being Eczema, also known as Atopic Dermatitis [AD]. It shows up as flaky patches on the baby’s skin, and as crusty. However, eczema is not contagious.
How do you know it is Eczema?
Eczema differs from child to child. For those with lighter skin, it shows up as patches of red skin, while in dark skin children, the rashes look greyish, brownish, or purple. Sometimes it cannot be seen on dark skin. These patches are itchy, rough, and dry. Though this condition can be anywhere on the body of the kids, most often it is their cheeks and the joints of their legs and arms.
Causes for the rashes
A complex interplay of a child’s environment as well as genetic predisposition, from climate to possible allergens, many factors cause eczema. Also, the rashes are even caused when it runs in the family. Parents with eczema are known to have passed on the irritation to their babies too. The weather, cold and hot also causes these rashes. It becomes severe during winter, also some children have a harder time during summer too.
Tips and tricks to prevent Eczema
While there is no known cure for these skin rashes, but there are ways so that your child feels better. With proper care and precautionary measures, you can also avoid eczema flare-ups. The baby skin care products that you find in the market usually help to soothe the most common problems: itching, dryness, infections, and inflammation in the skin
- Always put on loose clothing on your baby. Rashes and itching happen when your baby is wrapped in tight outfits. Such outfits trap sweat against your baby's skin. At night, wrap them in a cotton blanket for a comfortable sleep.
- You should be adept at gentle daily skin care. Give a bath to your baby in lukewarm water with a gentle cleanser free of soap. If there is irritation, then don’t scrub. Soak your baby in the water for a few minutes. Lightly pat your baby’s skin dry. Then apply some good baby skincare products.
- Moisturise your baby’s skin at least twice a day, to soothe itching and dryness.
- Avoid triggers that result in Eczema such as fragrances, dust mites, insect bites and stings, pollen, tobacco smoke, wool, and synthetic fabrics, and even some foods too.
- Even saliva that comes out of the baby’s mouth during eating and sleeping is known to create rashes. Create a barrier between the saliva and the baby’s skin by applying an
- Maintain a food diary. This diary will help you to keep a track of the food items that might trigger the rashes in your child. It is helpful to vary the diet of your child so that the food that has been inducing eczema in your child could be identified. Remember to list out every drink and food that you give to your child.
- Developing eczema in the child is traced to their parents who had suffered any of these conditions- asthma, atopic dermatitis, or hay fever. Hence, develop a skin regime and opt for baby skincare products.
- When your baby develops rashes chances are that they might want to scratch, hence buy mittens. This when put on your baby’s hand can stop them from scratching themselves. Also, keep your baby’s fingernails short and file them with an emery board so that is blunt.