Contents
What is a rash
To begin with, let’s figure out: what can be considered a rash, and what is not.
– A rash is a change in the skin. The skin itself can be dry or too wet, can change color: be icteric or reddened – but this is not a rash, says pediatrician, author of the book “Healthy Baby”, head of the project “Pediatricians at home” (Lahta Clinic) Nikolai Komov.
But the rash is already much more diverse. To begin with, the elements of the rash are divided into primary and secondary.
– Primary – this is when there was clean skin and these elements appeared out of nowhere. A spot is a localized discoloration, such as a hyperemic (reddened) spot. The tubercle is a papule. If the papule affects the subcutaneous regions, this is already a node. It happens that fluid accumulates at the site of the tubercle and this is already called a vesicle. If the contents are purulent, we are dealing with a pustule. And if the vesicle is large, it is already a blister, explains Dr. Komov. Secondary elements appear in place of primary ones. For example, there may be scales, ulcers, cracks, scars, excoriations (that is, scratching at the site of the rash). Next – lichenification – when the skin becomes rough, thick, hyperpigmented.
Causes of a rash on the face in newborns
Many parents are sure: if a rash appears, it means that the baby ate something wrong. Or maybe it’s an allergy. In fact, there are many more reasons for the appearance of a rash on the face of newborns.
“The causes of the rash are divided into exogenous (factors from the outside) and endogenous (internal causes”), says our expert. – When we talk about exogenous factors, we most often mean contact dermatitis – inflammation of the skin from mechanical contact, exposure to cold or chemical irritants. Dermatitis is also caused by the influence of pathogenic flora and microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi. Endogenous factors include allergic causes, internal hormonal fluctuations, and factors with an unexplained pathogenesis (for example, in the case of toxic erythema).
According to the pediatrician, often several factors potentiate each other, that is, one and the other add up, as a result we get a rash.
Treatment of a rash on the face in newborns
Particularly anxious mothers, when even a slight redness appears on the cheeks of the child, run to the doctor. And there are those who do not even immediately pay attention to any changes. Is it necessary to treat a rash on the face in newborns? And how to do it right?
– Often, it is not necessary to treat a rash in infants. In 80% of cases, this is a rash that goes away on its own, says Nikolai Komov. – For example, infantile acne, toxic erythema, which needs only observation, seborrheic dermatitis, which also needs only observation and use of local therapy. Only in certain cases it is necessary to prescribe a specific treatment.
And by the way! There’s no one-size-fits-all way to “treat skin blemishes,” our expert says. Simply because these very “specks” can be caused by completely different reasons. And in order to understand whether treatment is needed and if so, what kind, diagnostics are necessary.
Diagnostics
“As part of the diagnosis of dermatological diseases in children of the first year of life, a routine clinical examination in good, preferably natural light, sometimes using a dermatoscope, is usually sufficient,” notes Dr. Komov. – That is, we are talking about a careful study of the affected skin, examination of the entire skin of the child and the conclusion of an experienced specialist with a trained eye. If this does not work, we can do a skin scraping to look under a microscope for any microorganisms, or to do a sowing on the microflora of the rash element, if we are talking about a persistent infection, in order to clarify which pathogen we are dealing with.
There are also methods that are not very relevant if we are talking about a rash in a newly born baby, but are used in children aged closer to 1 year. This is an examination using a fluorescent lamp, which allows you to diagnose fungal infections.
Modern treatments
And yet, how to be treated if it is definitely not a blush after a walk in the frosty air?
“The treatment is based on the use of emollients, that is, moisturizing preparations that help protect the skin from overdrying and injury,” notes Nikolai Komov. – In the case of their use, even an allergic lesion fades due to the fact that sufficiently moistened skin is prone to recovery.
But it is not always possible to limit oneself to some kind of cream or ointment. However, in this case, it is not the rash itself that needs to be treated, but rather the causes that caused it. If it is a fungus, the doctor will prescribe antifungal agents, and if, for example, an infection, then the treatment will be radically different.
Prevention of a rash on the face in newborns at home
– The first is the normal microclimate in the house. It is necessary to maintain the optimal temperature, up to 22 degrees, and adequate humidity – so that moisture does not evaporate from the surface of the skin, does not lose elasticity and protective properties. At home, you need to have a humidifier – especially during the heating period, recommends Dr. Komov. – The second is air baths. 3 – 4 times a day, you need to leave the child completely undressed for at least 5 – 10 minutes, so that there is no effect of swelling, overheating of the skin.
But is this enough?
“Our task is not to harm,” emphasizes our expert. – Therefore, there is no need to use any lotions, fragrances and creams for prevention. It is better to purchase some specific bathing products from cosmetic lines, which are presented in pharmacies in a wide range. Those that do not dry out the skin and do not wash off the protective fatty layer.