How to Treat Baby Rash

By Eleanor Jewell on January 4, 2011

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Rashes are common in babies.

While it is difficult to picture your sweet little bundle of joy having anything other than baby soft, sweet-smelling clear skin, chances are he will develop a rash from time to time. There are a variety of rashes, such as diaper rash and the unsightly bumps that appear with milia, that can affect your baby. While some of these rashes may look alarming, most clear up in a matter of days with minor treatment.

Step 1

Wash your baby's hair and scalp with baby shampoo if cradle cap develops. Cradle cap is common in babies and manifests as a thick, yellow crusting on the skin of the scalp. Loosening the crust is possible by applying a few drops of mineral oil to your baby's scalp and brushing it away with a soft-bristled baby brush. Cradle cap usually resolves by baby's first birthday.

Step 2

Heal diaper rash by applying a pea-sized amount of zinc oxide to your baby's diaper area after cleaning. Diaper rash appears as red pimples or blisters on the buttocks and genitals. Avoid using wipes during this time, which can cause burning. Instead, clean the area with a soft washcloth, dampened with warm water. Apply the zinc oxide after each diaper change until the rash clears.

Step 3

Control milia and acne rashes with nothing more than a daily washing of your baby's face with water and a gentle baby soap. Milia appear as white bumps on your baby's face. This rash is quite common and usually develops as a result of trapped, dead skin cells under the first layer of skin. Acne rashes may also appear as white bumps but are more commonly red. The rash usually clears within several weeks.

Step 4

Treat psoriasis and eczema rashes with fragrance-free creams and ointments. Both rashes appear as dry, itchy scales that may turn red at times or crust and ooze. Psoriasis and eczema rashes that do not improve with moisturizing usually require a pediatrician's attention. She may prescribe corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory creams to help heal the skin.

Step 5

Dress your baby in cooler clothing if she experiences heat rash. This rash appears as white or red bumps on the skin but does not usually linger once the body temperature cools down. You can control heat rash by refraining from dressing your baby in clothing that does not breathe when the heat index goes up. Cool cottons work best during sticky weather.

About the Author

Eleanor Jewell started freelancing in 2007, writing for eHow, LIVESTRONG.COM and Trails. Lifestyle changes have led Jewell down a new path, quite different from her background as a licensed cosmetologist and certified skin-care specialist. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in education and a teacher certification from East Stroudsburg University.

Ingredients

Baby shampoo

Mineral oil

Soft-bristled baby brush

Zinc oxide

Washcloth

Gentle baby soap

Fragrance-free cream or ointment

Cotton clothing

References

MayoClinic: Slide Show: Common Baby Rashes

Family Doctor.org: Diaper Rash

Medline Plus: Milia

Resources

babyzone: Common Rashes and Skin Conditions

Tips

Keep in mind that all babies are different and a treatment that works for one may not necessary work for another. Treatment time frames may also vary.

You may notice cream-colored white sores in your baby's mouth from time to time when she has a diaper rash. This signals a yeast infection, which requires fungal medications prescribed by your pediatrician.