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Baby rashes: A common occurrence or a cause of concern?

Baby rashes: A common occurrence or a cause of concern?
Parents can often get worried seeing rashes on the face and body of their little one. While some rashes like diaper rashes need not cause alarm, other rashes can be symptoms of severe diseases like hand, foot, and mouth disease or eczema. Depending on the location of the rash and its appearance, you can evaluate the seriousness of the disease. If you think that the rash is symptomatic of an underlying illness, you need to consult top pediatric doctor and get the disease treated right away. Some of the things that you should know about baby rashes are as follows:

1. Diaper rashes
Babies have developing immune systems. This means their bodies will react differently compared to the bodies of adults when it comes to clothes, fabrics, and even friction. So when you observe redness and rash in the diaper area, and it causes irritation to your baby, you can be assured that it is a diaper rash. This is usually caused due to wetness and acidity from the baby's urine and feces. To manage the diaper rash, you need to keep the genital area of your baby dry, and ensure that the diapers are not tied too tightly. If your baby has sensitive skin, then the diaper rash can be pretty significant, and you might observe red splotches in the genital area and on the legs, and it can spread to the stomach. In such a scenario, you will need to consult a pediatrician, and you might even need to give your baby a course of antibiotics.

2. Baby acne
This is a rash that occurs exclusively on the face of your baby. This usually occurs four to five weeks after the birth of your baby. If you find tiny red or white bumps occurring on the side of the face and cheeks of your baby, this is a clear sign of baby acne. But it is not something that you need to be alarmed about. In most cases, baby acne clears independently, and you shouldn't use any over-the-counter medication to reduce the rash. According to the Pediatric Specialists in India, the rashes will disappear in three to four months, and your baby's skin will become smooth. However, if the rash persists, you can consult a pediatrician and opt for skincare treatment.

3. Hand foot and mouth disease
When you consult experts, they will tell you that hand, foot, and mouth disease is not very common in India, although seen worldwide. However, it is one of India's emerging viral infections in babies. It is caused by an Enterovirus and is moderately contagious. In case of hand, foot, and mouth disease, you will find rashes and blisters in the palms of your baby's hands, soles of their feet, and even inside their mouth. The rashes are accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, irritability, and drooling. Since HFMD is a viral infection, it will clear up naturally in seven to ten days. After that, your pediatrician will prescribe pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain. The doctor can also prescribe syrups to relieve your baby's sore throat.

4. Impetigo
Impetigo is a disease that affects babies and adults. However, babies are more at risk of suffering from the disease caused by insect bites. Impetigo is caused by staph or strep bacteria. If an insect bites your child and scratches it, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the broken skin. This can lead to rashes and appear like sores or blisters with yellow crust. If your child suffers from impetigo, you need to consult a pediatrician immediately. They will prescribe antibiotics and topical creams or lotions to relieve the skin. Impetigo will live continuous treatment to ensure that the disease is completely cured.

5. Heat rash
Your baby can develop heat rash if they are prone to excessive sweating. Babies tend to have higher temperatures than adults, and hence, you need to ensure that your baby remains cool and prevents friction between the fabrics and your baby's skin. It is also essential that you not cover your baby with a warm blanket when they sleep. If your baby has sensitive skin, you must always make them wear clothes made of breathable fabrics like cotton. Heat rashes are like small bumps that appear on your baby's skin where his or her skin rubs against the cloth. The friction increases the heat and causes more rashes. Thus, instead of worrying about heat rashes, it is essential to check the clothes you have purchased for your baby and purchase loose fitted clothes. You should also try and ensure that you keep your baby cool.

6. Measles
A viral infection causes measles, and along with the telltale rash that appears on the body of your baby, it will be accompanied by fever and a runny nose. If you think your child is suffering from measles, you need to consult your doctor immediately. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications. Measles can be identified by a reddish-brown rash that spreads all over your child's body. The rash can last from five to six days. However, with proper treatment, the rash can disappear and it is important to consult a doctor the moment the rashes appear.

Thus, your baby can suffer different types of rashes, some of which can prove to be severe, while others can be harmless. In most cases, young parents feel that their babies need proper treatment at the appearance of the slightest rash on their child's body. But it is essential first to identify the location of the rash and check its nature. It is also important to remember not to use any over-the-counter medication to treat the rashes on your baby's body. This is because their developing immune system can react adversely to the chemicals in these medications. Therefore, if you feel that the rash is unusual and shows no sign of reducing in a day or two, you must consult top pediatric doctor immediately.
Baby rashes: A common occurrence or a cause of concern?
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Baby rashes: A common occurrence or a cause of concern?

Published:

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