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Baby Skin Basics
Looks like: A red, inflamed, itchy rash that may be scaly, crusty, or oozy. Eczema usually shows up around the three-month mark as dryness on the cheeks, and over the course of several months it may move to other parts of the body, like the folds of the neck, arms, and legs. "Once your baby starts crawling, the friction of her skin against the carpet can set it off on her kneecaps and elbows," says Nanette Silverberg, M.D., director of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, in New York City.
What's going on: Eczema is an inherited form of skin sensitivity that causes extremely dry skin. "Recent studies show that as many as 30 to 40 percent of babies with eczema have a genetic mutation in the skin proteins that normally work to keep moisture locked in and allergens locked out," says Parents advisor Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital, in San Diego. Although having eczema puts your child at a higher risk of developing food and/or respiratory allergies and asthma, it's pretty rare for a baby's eczema to be caused by a particular allergen.
How to help: Keep your baby's nails trimmed to prevent her from scratching at the rash. Make bathtime short (but don't avoid it), use lukewarm water and gentle cleansers, and apply a fragrance-free cream or ointment afterwards. Messy feedings and drool can further irritate sensitive skin, so dab on a bit of petroleum jelly before her meals and at bedtime.
If the itching is keeping your baby from sleeping, your pediatrician might suggest clearing up a bad rash with an antihistamine and a low-strength, OTC topical steroid, such as a cream containing .5 to 1 percent hydrocortisone. For severe cases that don't respond to treatment, the doctor might recommend allergy testing to rule out triggers and suggest giving your baby diluted bleach baths, which can kill bacteria that may further irritate the skin. "Luckily, eczema tends to improve as children grow, in part because older kids have thicker skin and become less sensitive," says Dr. Silverberg.
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The best diaper rash treatment I know is to get the store brand of ointment and add a few tablespoons of malox or a similar liquid acid reducer and apply liberally. It will be gone in a day.
1/25/2012 03:31:27 PM Report AbuseAs recommended by a pediatrician to avoid using steriods, try Arbonne International Inc., (a 100% Vegan Certified company) ABC baby line for babies with sensitive skin (or for anyone else for that matter). The ABC Baby oil does NOT contain mineral oil (mineral oil does not allow the skin to breathe), followed by the ABC Baby Lotion. Check the shop onine tab www.Gratitude4.myarbonne.com for pricing and other products from the ABC line on the "shop online" tab.
1/23/2012 04:56:40 PM Report AbuseOur son is now 12, when he was a baby besides using the baby powder with cornstarch we used a diaper rash cream recommended by a dear Dr friend who is now deceased. He swore by Benson's Bottom Butt Paint, it worked amazing and did what Desitin never did within just a few hours. You can find it online, it is made in Michigan and always has been. www.bensonsbottombuttpaint.com reasonable price great AMERICAN product
1/23/2012 11:58:06 AM Report AbuseDiaper rash can be a nightmare for little ones. My parents are old school and taught me to use pure cornstarch. Not baby powder with cornstarch but just good ol' cookin cornstarch. I just dab a bit with a cotton ball after each diaper change. My baby who is 10 weeks old has never really had diaper rash. Cornstarch combined with frequent changing works and keeps your little one comfy!!
4/9/2011 01:19:46 PM Report AbuseMy son had eczema really bad when he was a baby. My mother saw 100% Pure Olive Oil Soap made by Olivella advertised on QVC. I began using it on him and it cleared it up wonderfully. Now, he only has occasional outbreaks with the season changes. I purchase my soap online from vitacost. It is a little pricy, but it works!
3/1/2011 06:48:27 PM Report AbuseFor cradle cap use a little bit of Dawn dish soap. massage onto the scalp with a washcloth and rinse. Be sure not to get it into babies eyes. You will be amazed at how it goes away! I thought the person who told me was crazy but I couldn't believe how well it worked.
11/5/2010 03:10:48 AM Report AbuseYes, Johnson & Johnson white baby powder with pure cornstarch works great to prevent diaper rash especially in the summer hot months! When my baby has a rash I stop using wipes and wash her with water over the sink instead then I use Desitin overnight along with the baby powder. It clears up within a couple days.
11/4/2010 05:58:16 PM Report AbuseMy daughter has severe eczema. The BEST plan, as recommended by our derm, is a long bath and to avoid soaps. If you pick a soap, use DOVE unscented or cetaphil, NO IVORY! After the bath, if you do not have creams or ointments prescribed, use Vaseline. Apply this to the dry areas within minutes of getting out of the bath. Apply twice daily and this will help keep the moisture in. My son is younger and has the dry cheeks starting, I use Balmex and it clears the dryness up nicely!
11/4/2010 03:39:08 PM Report AbuseRegarding Diaper rash, I am a mom of 2 and my second is a girl. She started getting diaper rash since she was a few weeks old. It drove me nuts, I visit the pediatrician often about this. I got some prescription and it made it worst. Then a family friend told me to use JOHNSON&JOHNSON WHITE BABY POWDER WITH PURE CORNSTARCH. It was amazing, her rash was gone in 24hrs. She is one and she still gets it and I am still using it. Try it moms "IT WORKS" Hope this was a helpful tip.
11/4/2010 10:21:12 AM Report Abuse