Infant Skin Problem!

everything posh · Jun 6th, 2008, 05:26 PM

My daughter is only 5 months old. For about a week now she has a rash...It started as tiny red bumps that I assumed was heat rash since it appeared when the weather got hot. Around her face and chin and neck....I gave her baths every day and no lotion to get rid of them. It worked. I started her on solids and she was doing really well. Gave her rice cereal, and then oatmeal. She started having these episodes where she would rub her face really hard until it turned bright red. Then these spots would appear, like hives. I took her to the doctor and he told me to take her off the oatmeal and to also give her some Benadryl. He said that she was too young to test for allergies and to just monitor her. Well it doesn't appear to be the oatmeal or the rice cereal. I just gave her some benadryl, and she seems to have stopped being uncomfortable. I just can't figure out what it could be that is bothering her or what to do to help!!! I havn't changed detergent, or perfume (don't wear any when i'm with her). We don't have any pets either. Her cheeks feel sort of chapped to the touch and tiny tiny bumps that you can feel. Any advice on some bath washes or lotions?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Agent Kitty · Jun 6th, 2008, 05:46 PM

my baby has had a similiar problem. i used hydrocortisone cream. i used the .5%, it also comes in 1%, but i thought it might be too harsh. works wonders. pick some up at the drugstore, it is like $4.00 at the most.

kcf68 · Jun 6th, 2008, 07:00 PM

My son had the red bumps and still does a little bit. I use Ceptaphil gental skin cleanser and cream. I got them at Wal-mart. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin. It might be the laundry detergent too?? I was his clothes seperately and don't use the dryer sheets because that can cause skin irritation.

juicy couture jen · Jun 6th, 2008, 07:45 PM

Could it be eczema? It's been an ongoing battle with eczema for our DS, now that the warm weather has come around, it has calmed down a bit. DS's cheeks are dry as well which leads to breakouts if not moisturized. I now use Aquaphor on his cheeks, and Aveeno Baby Lotion on his body. Both have worked great so far. I also bathe him with Dove Sensitive Soap.

kimberf · Jun 7th, 2008, 01:57 AM

Did she have baby acne earlier that might be lingering/coming back? Some of the things I've read say it can recur up to 6 months after birth. It does also sound like possible eczema, given that you say it feels chapped. As juicy couture jen says, maybe try some Aquaphor. My pediatrician considers it "duct tape for babies" -- good for a million different things.

everything posh · Jun 7th, 2008, 02:19 AM

Thank you for all your suggestions ladies. I have cetaphil and will use it when I bathe her. I've also gotten Aquaphor and will try that as well. *fingers crossed* her cheeks feel softer to the touch tonight and she hasn't had an itching fit...hopefully it was only an allergic reaction to something....BUT WHAT??!! That is what is driving me nuts...I suppose I'll just wait and see if it gets completely better, or just comes back again.
If it's a skin condition like eczema, then at least I will KNOW what i'm fighting.

She has never had infant acne...her skin was always really soft and smooth...until the weather got hotter and i introduced her to cereal...sheesh...it's so hard not knowing what may be bothering her.

I have been using Dreft for her clothing and towels and sheets since she was born....and her clothes get washed separately from the rest of the family. No dryer sheets either.

Mrs. MC · Jun 8th, 2008, 01:12 AM

Did she have a fever prior to that ? It could be Roseola virus which is common this time of year. It usually lasts for about a week once the breakout happens

everything posh · Jun 8th, 2008, 04:11 AM

Mrs. MC: no she didn't have a fever prior to the rash. It seems like there are so many things that could have caused this. frustrating...

twochubbycheeks · Jun 8th, 2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everything posh

My daughter is only 5 months old. For about a week now she has a rash...It started as tiny red bumps that I assumed was heat rash since it appeared when the weather got hot. Around her face and chin and neck....I gave her baths every day and no lotion to get rid of them. It worked. I started her on solids and she was doing really well. Gave her rice cereal, and then oatmeal. She started having these episodes where she would rub her face really hard until it turned bright red. Then these spots would appear, like hives. I took her to the doctor and he told me to take her off the oatmeal and to also give her some Benadryl. He said that she was too young to test for allergies and to just monitor her. Well it doesn't appear to be the oatmeal or the rice cereal. I just gave her some benadryl, and she seems to have stopped being uncomfortable. I just can't figure out what it could be that is bothering her or what to do to help!!! I havn't changed detergent, or perfume (don't wear any when i'm with her). We don't have any pets either. Her cheeks feel sort of chapped to the touch and tiny tiny bumps that you can feel. Any advice on some bath washes or lotions?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

OMG! My DS is in the same situation right now like your DD. My DS started having those red bumps (and cradle cap problem) when he was about 2wks. I really feel so sorry for him because he's experiencing this so early.

We've just had his 2wk check up with his Pedia and the doctor said that it's normal.. baby acne and cradle cap. He told me that I can put oil on his cradle cap and I can also try to pick the loose stuff from his cradle cap.. I did that just today.. boy oh boy! did I make a baaaad move.

I did that to his forehead the dry skin now is kinda watery.. Gawd! I felt to horrible after seeing that. So now, I will NEVER do that-- pick the loose stuff. I will just put oil and leave it like that.

Anyway, his doctor prescribed us with a ketoconazole shampoo. So, everything I give my DS a bath.. I use that shampoo on his hair and also use some on those affected areas.

I've also decided to stop breastfeeding, once I receive my order of Dr. Brown's nipples for my evenflo bottles. I thought that maybe my DS is also allergic to some stuff that I eat (I was in this situation with my 1st born-- cradle cap, eczema, reddish tiny bumps). I have been breastfeeding him exclusively for over a month now.. I think he'll be okay if he starts formula since he was able to get the very first milk from me which is the most important breastmilk a baby can get from his/her mom. Hopefully, his skin will clear up, once he starts on formula exclusively.. if he is allergic to something (that he gets from my breastmilk).

*sigh* Good Luck to both of us and to the other moms who are experiencing this kind of situation with their babies... it is really tough seeing out babies with skin conditions like these. it sucks!

everything posh · Jun 9th, 2008, 07:57 PM

yes it is really tough! Babies are supposed to have super smooth and soft skin and when I saw these bumps and then some hives coming and going I totally freaked out and didn't know what to do. My doctor will be seeing her soon for her 6month checkup. Her skin is a lot better than it was, but she still gets hives once in a while, but only on her face. Sheesh, it's frustrating!!!

Good Luck is right! All we can do is what our doctors tell us and try to keep our little ones as comfortable as possible!!

Jun 6th, 2008, 05:26 PM	#1
everything posh Member Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!!	Infant Skin Problem! My daughter is only 5 months old. For about a week now she has a rash...It started as tiny red bumps that I assumed was heat rash since it appeared when the weather got hot. Around her face and chin and neck....I gave her baths every day and no lotion to get rid of them. It worked. I started her on solids and she was doing really well. Gave her rice cereal, and then oatmeal. She started having these episodes where she would rub her face really hard until it turned bright red. Then these spots would appear, like hives. I took her to the doctor and he told me to take her off the oatmeal and to also give her some Benadryl. He said that she was too young to test for allergies and to just monitor her. Well it doesn't appear to be the oatmeal or the rice cereal. I just gave her some benadryl, and she seems to have stopped being uncomfortable. I just can't figure out what it could be that is bothering her or what to do to help!!! I havn't changed detergent, or perfume (don't wear any when i'm with her). We don't have any pets either. Her cheeks feel sort of chapped to the touch and tiny tiny bumps that you can feel. Any advice on some bath washes or lotions?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! __________________

Jun 6th, 2008, 07:45 PM	#4
juicy couture jen Sale Hunter Location: Massachusetts, USA	Could it be eczema? It's been an ongoing battle with eczema for our DS, now that the warm weather has come around, it has calmed down a bit. DS's cheeks are dry as well which leads to breakouts if not moisturized. I now use Aquaphor on his cheeks, and Aveeno Baby Lotion on his body. Both have worked great so far. I also bathe him with Dove Sensitive Soap. __________________

Jun 7th, 2008, 02:19 AM	#6
everything posh Member Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!!	Thank you for all your suggestions ladies. I have cetaphil and will use it when I bathe her. I've also gotten Aquaphor and will try that as well. fingers crossed her cheeks feel softer to the touch tonight and she hasn't had an itching fit...hopefully it was only an allergic reaction to something....BUT WHAT??!! That is what is driving me nuts...I suppose I'll just wait and see if it gets completely better, or just comes back again. If it's a skin condition like eczema, then at least I will KNOW what i'm fighting. She has never had infant acne...her skin was always really soft and smooth...until the weather got hotter and i introduced her to cereal...sheesh...it's so hard not knowing what may be bothering her. I have been using Dreft for her clothing and towels and sheets since she was born....and her clothes get washed separately from the rest of the family. No dryer sheets either. __________________

Jun 8th, 2008, 01:12 AM	#7
Mrs. MC Member	Did she have a fever prior to that ? It could be Roseola virus which is common this time of year. It usually lasts for about a week once the breakout happens __________________

Jun 8th, 2008, 04:11 AM	#8
everything posh Member Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!!	Mrs. MC: no she didn't have a fever prior to the rash. It seems like there are so many things that could have caused this. frustrating... __________________

Jun 6th, 2008, 05:46 PM	#2
Agent Kitty Agent Kitty	my baby has had a similiar problem. i used hydrocortisone cream. i used the .5%, it also comes in 1%, but i thought it might be too harsh. works wonders. pick some up at the drugstore, it is like $4.00 at the most.

Jun 6th, 2008, 07:00 PM	#3
kcf68 Handbag Addict Location: Finally on the West Coast!!!	My son had the red bumps and still does a little bit. I use Ceptaphil gental skin cleanser and cream. I got them at Wal-mart. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin. It might be the laundry detergent too?? I was his clothes seperately and don't use the dryer sheets because that can cause skin irritation.

Jun 7th, 2008, 01:57 AM	#5
kimberf Member Location: California	Did she have baby acne earlier that might be lingering/coming back? Some of the things I've read say it can recur up to 6 months after birth. It does also sound like possible eczema, given that you say it feels chapped. As juicy couture jen says, maybe try some Aquaphor. My pediatrician considers it "duct tape for babies" -- good for a million different things.

Jun 9th, 2008, 07:57 PM	#10
everything posh Member Location: Chicago, Athens, London, San Jose!!	yes it is really tough! Babies are supposed to have super smooth and soft skin and when I saw these bumps and then some hives coming and going I totally freaked out and didn't know what to do. My doctor will be seeing her soon for her 6month checkup. Her skin is a lot better than it was, but she still gets hives once in a while, but only on her face. Sheesh, it's frustrating!!! Good Luck is right! All we can do is what our doctors tell us and try to keep our little ones as comfortable as possible!! __________________