When a baby is first born, it is hard to imagine that they aren’t as perfect as can be. This doesn’t mean that they won’t encounter problem with their skin. In fact, it is perfectly normal and can be expected. Here are some of the most common skin problems that may affect babies and how to alleviate them.
Bumps on the face
These bumps resemble the acne that commonly affects teenagers, but it is not the same thing. Babies have skin that is practically brand new, so it hasn’t been exposed to many things. This “baby acne” is nothing to be concerned about and often requires no treatment at all. It should go away on its own as long as you ensure that your child’s skin is kept clean and dry. If for some reason the problem doesn’t get better after a few months, consult with your pediatrician to make sure that something else isn’t going on.
Additionally, a baby may have a rash that looks like acne because they are getting too hot. If this is the case, you need to make sure that your child’s clothes are not too tight. Also make sure that their skin is able to breathe and that they’re not sweating or getting overheated in their clothes. You may even consider letting your baby wear less clothes around the house to prevent this from becoming a problem.
Peeling Skin
Again, this issue is totally normal and should clear upon its own. In the meantime, make sure that you don’t use any harsh soaps or detergents when you wash your baby, and their clothes. A newborn doesn’t really need to bathe very often, so wipe downs will be sufficient for quite a while.
Sunburn
There is no need to take your new baby out in the sun the first few months of their lives. It is unsafe and they don’t need to be outside for an extended period of time either. However, once they are old enough to get some sun, make sure that you use a safe sunscreen on them to protect their delicate skin from getting burned.
Diaper rash
Diaper rash is quite common in babies, due to the absorbent power of modern diapers. To keep your child from experiencing this problem, you should clean your baby’s bottom thoroughly after each diaper change, and make sure the area is allowed to dry fully before putting another diaper on them. If this doesn’t help, you may have to purchase a special cream to solve the problem. This type of rash usually doesn’t require medical attention. However, if it becomes severe, you may want to talk to your doctor about it.
General Tips
Keep in mind that anything you put on and near a baby may greatly affect it, due to their small size. Try to keep from using any chemicals or highly-scented products on your bundle of joy, especially if you have sensitive skin yourself. Babies whose parents have skin allergies, will likely have them too.