SKIN The skin of a newborn may exhibit a variety of bumps and rashes.  These are normal and most will clear spontaneously. 

 Milia: You may notice little white bumps on the baby’s face especially on the forehead, nose and cheeks. These are milia and are composed of normal skin cells. They will clear spontaneously and require no treatment.

Dry, scaly skin: Normally, a newborn’s skin may be dry and peeling, especially around the wrists, ankles and other creases. This usually 24 clears within three to four weeks and requires no treatment. 

Heat rash: Small red bumps on your baby’s skin folds are probably due to heat. Heat rash may be treated by providing a cooler environment and loosening tight clothing under the neck and arms. Powders tend to cake in these areas and are not helpful. Ointments and creams should also be avoided since they tend to block the pores. 

Acne: Your baby is exposed to your hormones before birth and may exhibit a mild case of acne, usually between 3-10 weeks of age. This also clears spontaneously and requires no treatment. 

Diaper rash: Factors that tend to encourage diaper rash include continuously wet diapers, plastic pants, and disposable diapers with plastic coverings. Prevention of diaper rash includes frequent changing, washing the area with water, patting dry and then air drying well before using a lubricating cream such as A&D, Desitin or Balmex. Limit the use of plastic pants and test your baby’s reaction to disposable diapers. If you are using cloth diapers they should be soaked in a solution of Diaperene or Borax (1/2 cup to 1 gallon of water) prior to washing. Use a mild soap to wash the diapers. Detergents and water softeners should be avoided. Rinse the diapers twice and to the last rinse add a ½ cup of vinegar; this may help counteract the irritants present in normal urine. We should be contacted if blisters develop, if the rash seems to be more prominent in skin folds, if the rash extends beyond the diaper area or if it is persistent or unresponsive to diaper creams.

“Birth marks”: Many babies are born with red patches at the nape of the neck, forehead, or over the eyelids. These are normal and will fade over the next several months. You may have heard of them referred to as “stork-bites”. You may also notice a dark discoloration around the baby’s buttocks, called “Mongolian spots”, usually seen in dark-skinned infants.  Other birth marks tend to develop in the first several weeks of life. 

Cradle cap: Many children develop cradle cap during the first few months of life, a yellow, greasy appearing, scaly rash over the scalp. To remove this scale, simply shampoo as usual using a mild pH balanced shampoo and brush the scalp with a soft baby brush in circular motions to loosen the scale. If needed, to loosen the scale further, rub a small amount of mineral oil into the scaly area, allow to sit for 5 minutes, then wash as usual. If this is ineffective you may try a dandruff shampoo such as Head and Shoulders or Selsun Blue. To keep it out of the baby’s eyes, first moisten the scales with a damp warm washcloth but do not let water drip on the baby’s face. Form a small amount of thick lather with the shampoo on your fingers, apply on the scaly portion of the scalp, and allow to sit for 5 minutes; wash as usual and brush firmly to loosen the scale. This will often take several treatments over several days but is usually effective. If the cradle cap is still resistant to this treatment, or is more widespread (in eyebrows, behind neck, in armpits, on chest, and in diaper area) or if it seems to be weepy or infected please call us for an appointment.