Common Skin Ailments in Infants

Infant's skin is very thin and delicate which leaves it susceptible to a variety of skin conditions. Many of these conditions are highly treatable, and with a little knowledge and care will heal themselves. There are a few skin ailments that will need to be diagnosed by your pediatrician, and if you ever are concerned a trip to the doctor's office should be made. I'll describe some of the most common skin concerns parent's have and simple ways to remedy them.

Almost all newborn babies deal with milia at some point. Milia are small white bumps that resemble white heads in older kids and adults. They are completely harmless and are caused by dead skin being sloughed off. The skin cells may become trapped and form a small white bump. The skin will eventually fall off and the milia bump will go away. You don't need to treat milia in any certain way; washing with water to help keep the skin will maintain a clean surface on your baby's skin though. Milia are most commonly found on the infant's nose, chin and cheeks.

Another skin condition newborns suffer is infant acne. While an infant is in its mother's uterus, the mom's hormones transfer into the baby. Because of this, after birth the hormones will be changing in your infant's body. These changing hormones may result in a case of acne in your newborn baby. The acne usually appears at about 3 weeks, and may last until the infant is 2-3 months old. Washing the face with gentle soap daily will help keep the skin clean so that the acne can resolve itself. Keeping the infant cool and dressing him or her in light clothes can also decrease the severity of the acne. Very severe cases may need to be treated with a 2.5 % benzoyl peroxide cream, but this should only be done under the supervision of your pediatrician. Very few infants need any treatment.

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is very common in young infants. You may notice raised red patches throughout the infant's body. These patches are most commonly found around the face, back, elbows and behind the knees. Keeping the infant's skin moist is essential to controlling eczema. Keep baths to 5 minutes or less and apply a thick moisturizer such as Eucerin or Vanicream immediately. If patches are very red and broken you may need to apply some hydrocortisone cream, but be sure to consult your pediatrician first. Eczema may be a life-long skin condition, but for many infants they will outgrow the condition shortly after their first birthday. An eczema out break may also be caused by an allergen in your infant's body. Pay special attention to diet to see if there is a link between any food and the onset of eczema patches. Also pay attention to any chemicals that may come in contact with your infant's skin such as laundry detergent, dryer sheets or even the lotion you use on your hands. Infant's with extremely sensitive skin have been known to be susceptible to eczema reactions from may sources.

Miliaria is another common infant skin condition. It is commonly known as heat rash or prickly heat. Miliaria causes small fluid filled pimples that may be surrounded with red spots. This condition is simply the way an infant's skin reacts to overheating. Be sure to keep your infant cool during the heat and dress him or her is loose clothing. Bathing your infant more often may help prevent any flare ups during the hot season. Miliaria is most commonly found around the folds of the infant's neck, and any other spot where the skin is tightly folded and heat is trapped in the skin.

This is a list of the most common skin conditions that infant's are susceptible during their first few months of life. As the skin matures, it will have a better method of protecting itself and most often these conditions completely disappear altogether. If you ever notice an unusual rash on your infant, be sure to consult your pediatrician for proper diagnosis.