Journal of Pediatric Care

Description

The skin is a vital barrier that protects the body from excessive fluid and mineral loss. It safeguards against infections and prevents hazardous compounds from being absorbed. It also contributes in the regulation of body temperature. Heat, cold, fungus, bacteria, drooling, allergies, or extended contact with a wet nappy can all contribute to baby skin disorders. Fortunately, most new-born skin disorders are transient and will go better on their own. Creams and ointments, topical steroids, and oral medications may be required in more extreme situations. The most common skin conditions in new-borns include desquamation, cradle cap, milia, malaria, newborn acne, erythema toxic and transient pustular melanosis. In neonates, rashes are pretty prevalent. The neonatal period involves a variety of treatment of skin disorders throughout the first four weeks of life. The majority of them are harmless and fleeting. However, major infectious disorders, congenital skin problems, and malignant tumours should also be considered.

Common skin conditions in babies

Heat rash consists of the following symptoms: Heat rash, also known as prickly heat or malaria, is a rash that develops in newborns due to their underdeveloped sweat ducts, which are readily obstructed. Small, red to clear, pin-pointed lumps appear on the back and buttocks, frequently over covered areas. Excessive perspiration due to hot weather, dressing a baby excessively warmly or using heavy swaddling, etc. are some of the reasons.

Nappy rash, often known as diaper dermatitis, affects 35% of babies throughout the first year of their lives. Its prevalence rises between the ages of 9 and 12 months. A red, scaly rash appears over the parts of the skin covered by diapers. Long-term exposure to urine and faeces, excessive wetness from diaper use, friction from fabric or adhesive tapes, secondary infection from bacteria or fungus/yeast.

Desquamation or skin stripping, is something that influences most infants in the initial not many long stretches of life, particularly in case they are brought into the world after their due date. Applying cream to the skin can assist with limiting the seriousness.

Cradle cap is a crusty, greasy scalp rash that most typically affects new-borns and toddlers. It occurs when sebum (an oily material produced by glands in the skin) accumulates, causing skin cells to stay together rather than shed regularly. It might appear on its own or in conjunction with a diaper, neck, or underarm rash. To release the tangles, use mineral oil or petroleum jelly. Cradle cap usually clears up within a few weeks to months.

The first 3 to 5 days after delivery are when Erythema toxicum develops. A rash of little red spots emerges on the chest, back, face, and arms in most cases. This is a common reaction in the skin of neonates, and it usually fades away within a few days.

A form of rash that is more common in darker-skinned neonates is transient pustular melanosis. It shows as little white raised bumps on a baby's neck, chest, back, or stomach from the moment they are born. The bumps will go away on their own, but sometimes they leave slightly darker marks on the skin.

As baby's skin is much thinner and more delicate than that of an adult, you should treat it differently. Bathe your infant in warm water for 5 minutes with a gentle soap. We can clean their scalp with the same soap. To avoid diaper rash, apply a light moisturiser all over the skin after showering and a protective cream to the diaper area.