The delicate skin of newborns, like all other organs of the baby, for some time adapts to life in the external environment after the baby is born. She is sensitive to any irritating factors, so a rash on the face of a newborn is a common occurrence. In most cases, this rash is harmless and quickly disappears. But for the safety of the child and his own peace of mind with any type of rash, you need to see a doctor to find out the cause and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
Causes of a rash on the face of a newborn - what to do
The rash may look different and manifest itself in various forms: spots, spots, blisters, blisters, papules, blackheads, pustules.
The causes of a rash on the face of a newborn are varied - what to do if it appeared suddenly, the doctor will determine. By the appearance of the rash, the child is sick or, on the contrary, the rash is a physiological manifestation of growth and cannot be treated - such a conclusion will be made by the pediatrician during the examination.
The most common causes:
I. Growth and adaptation of the body to external conditions.
1. Milium is a small or white rash of a small yellow rash that occurs in almost 50% of newborns. It is associated with the immaturity of the sebaceous glands. Passes on its own in about a month. No treatment required.
2. Acne of newborns (neonatal childhood pustulosis, or hormonal rash) - colorless or red, indicates hormonal changes in the body. It does not cause any discomfort. Within two weeks, disappears without treatment.
3. Irritation - with increased salivation or regurgitation, a small point rash appears on the skin of the chin.
4. Seborrheic dermatitis is a rash in the form of oily and dense scales on the face and head of a yellowish color. Within a year, the skin is cleansed.
II. Improper care.
Sweating - when overheated, small white pimples appear on the baby's neck. In the future, they move to the face and all the natural folds of the body, if the child continues to be in conditions of overheating. When a normal temperature is created, the rash disappears. Special treatment is not required, enough hygienic rubdowns.
III. Allergic reactions.
1. Allergic dermatitis and urticaria - a flaky white rash on the skin of the face, gradually spreading to the limbs, trunk. The reasons:
• mother's nutrition - the presence in the diet of seafood, peanuts, strawberries and other allergenic products;
• dust and hair of domestic animals;
• powder or other detergent with which the child’s clothes are washed;
• the presence of allergens in complementary foods;
• medications.
2. In case of lactase deficiency (a deficiency in the child’s body of lactase, an enzyme involved in the breakdown of milk protein), a colorless allergic rash appears.
3. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) - is a red rash on the skin of the face, scalp, and later on the body, causing painful itching. Often occurs before the age of 6 months. In most cases, it is associated with an allergy to egg or milk protein in the diet of both a nursing mother and a baby.
IV. Infections
1. Impetigo is a highly infectious skin disease that affects infants. It manifests itself as painful red spots on the face, and may be on the arms and legs of infants. It is treated with antibacterial drugs.
2. Children's roseola (three-day fever) - a disease exclusively of childhood. It develops in children under 2 years old. It is characterized by sudden high fever for no apparent reason, which lasts exactly three days. Then a red - pink rash appears, which is located on the skin with foci and disappears from the 4th to the 7th day. The causative agent is the herpes virus type VI and VII. Specific treatment is not applicable. At high temperatures, paracetamol and other NSAIDs are used, allowed for children of this age.
3. Measles - characterized by the appearance on the 5th day after a persistent increase in temperature of a large bright red rash on the face. Fever is accompanied by intoxication, cough, runny nose. Initially, the rash affects the face and ears, then the hands, neck, buttocks, legs. The appearance of a rash is a positive sign that indicates that the disease is going to resolve and recovery will come soon. As soon as the spread of the rash stops, the temperature normalizes, the disease soon passes.
4. Chicken pox - manifested by the appearance of red spots, quickly transforming into bubbles filled with liquid, itching. The bubble, bursting, turns into an abscess. After healing, a crust forms in its place. The number of rash elements is from units to hundreds. The rash is combined with high fever, severe intoxication with loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pain.
5. Scarlet fever - a thick bright - scarlet rash appears on the back, chest, then spreads to the face, leaving only the nasolabial triangle free. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor, antibiotics are used.
6. Rubella - characterized by the appearance of a rash on 3-4 days after an increase in temperature. At the same time, the occipital lymph nodes increase. The rash is sparse, not as clear as with measles, spreads to the face, legs, arms, trunk.
What to do if there is a rash on the face of the newborn
In all cases of a rash on the face of a newborn, a pediatrician is required to clarify the cause and treatment. What to do if a rash is on the face of a newborn, the doctor decides when examining the child. After establishing an accurate diagnosis and prescribing therapy, it is necessary to take certain measures at home. They are as follows:
• eliminate all allergens;
• wash hands thoroughly before and after hygiene procedures with the baby;
• change diapers sazu after they get wet;
• wash the child with warm water without soap or wipe with a damp cloth without smell and sleep;
• wear a clean diaper only on dry skin;
• After bathing, thoroughly wet the skin of the child (do not rub!);
• at normal air temperature, it is necessary that the child takes air baths and his skin "breathes".
What can not be done
In order not to provoke complications, you can not:
• lubricate the elements of the rash with coloring antiseptics - "green stuff", fucorcin, iodine, etc .;
• wipe with a lotion or alcohol rash elements;
• squeeze acne;
• open bubbles;
• refuse the treatment prescribed by the doctor;
• self-medicate.
A rash on the face of a newborn - what to do to prevent it
To minimize the appearance of a rash on the face of a newborn, you must follow a few simple but important rules.
1. Hygiene.
To exclude the appearance of a rash after regurgitation, salivation, food debris, you need to keep your face clean using wet wipes without alcohol and odor or clean water. To prevent diaper rash, it is imperative to wash with clean water after each stool, and dry the skin dry. More often give the child the opportunity to take air baths.
2. Maintain a comfortable temperature in the child’s room (18 - 220 C), do not wrap it up unnecessarily - newborns are much easier to tolerate cool weather.
3. Bathing the child no more than once every two days. It is better to do this with soap-free water, so as not to wash off the protective layer and cause irritation. After water procedures, gently pat the skin, not wipe it off.
4. Keeping clean:
• wet cleaning in the apartment, airing, bathing pets - mandatory procedures if the house is newborn;
• washing even new children's clothes, despite the assurances of the person who gave them that they have already been washed with the best means.
5. To protect the newborn from allergies, a nursing mother should:
• follow a certain diet - exclude potential allergens from the diet (whole milk, sea fish and other seafood, some berries (strawberries, raspberries), chocolate, nuts);
• wash the baby’s underwear and take care of the baby’s skin only with specially designed products;
• carefully choose diapers, baby food, correctly enter complementary foods;
• The clothes of the newborn should be made of natural fabrics.
6. Vaccination
In order to avoid infectious diseases that occur with a rash on the face and not only, and in severe cases, cause complications up to death, it is necessary to vaccinate the child in a timely manner. This will help protect it from negative consequences.
Basically, a rash, if it does not cause discomfort and does not create discomfort, as a rule, does not threaten the life of the child.
If rashes occur, accompanied by a sudden increase in temperature and intoxication, it is imperative to consult a pediatrician. After examination, the doctor will determine the cause and prescribe adequate therapy. Self-treatment of a child can lead to unpredictable results.
