My baby has a rash
Parenting is a job that no one is fully prepared for, and even if you've had children before, there are always new surprises along the way, so there's never a shortage of worries. One such common concern is rashes, those mysterious rashes that appear from one moment to the next and you can never be quite sure what they are or what causes them and whether they should be an emergency or not.
If you've wondered about what to do when your baby has a rash or how to tell the difference between a harmless rash and a worrisome one, here you'll learn everything you need to know so you can sleep soundly and give your little one the attention he or she needs.
Types of rashes
When we talk about rashes, we are not talking about just one thing, but about several types of skin rashes that can be caused by various reasons, and can occur in several areas and in different forms.
In the first days after birth, it is normal for a baby to present acne-like rashes, with whiteheads and relief, and this is simply due to the increased passage of hormones from the mother to the baby just before birth, and it may disappear soon or be a regular occurrence for several months.
Another common rash is diaper rash, which occurs due to the wetness of the diaper if it is left too long without cleaning, and can be solved with creams from any drugstore specifically for this type of rash. Now, if the diaper rash is particularly red and bumpy, it may be caused by a fungus called candida, and this requires treatment with medication.
On the other hand, there are rashes that can appear due to heat and sweat, and this happens when the baby is being overdressed, sweating excessively and clogging his sweat glands. In these cases, the ideal is to make sure to dress your baby in breathable clothing and remove clothing if your baby is sweating excessively. These types of rashes can happen in any weather and time of year.
If your baby has dry, scaly, red and itchy areas, it may be eczema, a skin condition that is often hereditary and associated with allergies. If these rashes are persistent, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician to get creams or treatments to prevent these rashes and soothe the itching.
Now, if your baby has a rash that comes and goes on different parts of the body, it may be hives, its cause is uncertain and it usually goes away on its own. Other non-concerning rashes are those around the mouth, which are the result of drooling, and petechiae, the small blood vessels that rupture under stress during delivery.
When should I be concerned?
As a general rule, if a rash is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, vomiting or continued crying, a visit to the doctor for evaluation is necessary. Even so, if a rash is prolonged and you want to get rid of any doubts, do not think twice about going to the pediatrician, even if it is only to calm your nerves and to be able to go on with your life calmly and with the certainty that it is nothing particularly serious.
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