The skin is the body’s largest organ and acts as a barrier against external influences such as bacteria, chemicals, wear and pressure. A baby’s skin is only one-fifth as thick as an adult’s and can react accordingly.

Milia
Many newborns have small, hard, white bumps, usually on their nose or cheeks. These are called milia. They do not bother the child, disappear by themselves and do not require treatment.

Stork bite
A stork bite consists of small red blood vessels in the skin and is usually seen on a child’s neck, nose, eyelids or forehead. The marks can be red-pink or purplish and usually become more prominent if the child is screaming. These are completely harmless and fade on their own as the baby’s skin thickens.

Mongolian Spots
Mongolian spots appear as a darker area of skin, often over the lower back or hips. The spots can be slightly blue-gray and are more common in children with dark skin. They can sometimes be mistaken for bruises. They are completely harmless and usually fade during childhood.

Hemangioma
Hemangioma is usually not present at birth, but usually appears when a child is a few weeks old. The birthmark consists of a collection of blood vessels in or under the child’s skin. They can be located anywhere on the body and are completely harmless. The mark is usually raised with a bright red colour. If it sits deeper, the colour is usually more bluish. Hemangioma can grow during the child’s first year of life. After a few years, the hemangioma usually gets lighter in the center which is a sign that it is about to disappear. If your baby gets a hemangioma after six weeks of age, or if your baby has more than five of them, contact your children’s health centre. Hemangioma on the mouth, eyes, nose or genitalia should be assessed, talk to your children’s health centre.

Atopic Dermatitis – eczema
Atopy is a collective name for several different problems such as pollen allergies, asthma and eczema. The symptoms can change at different stages of life. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (when the problem manifests itself as eczema) are dry, sometimes scaly rashes that often itch. In young children, eczema usually first appears on the cheeks and then spreads to other parts of the body – often the neck, chest, stomach and the outside of the arms and legs. The rash usually appears during the child’s first year of life. The itching can be very bothersome and can affect the child’s sleep at night. To alleviate the itching, it is important to avoid letting your baby’s skin getting dry. This is why it is important to apply an emollient cream to your child’s skin regularly, even during periods when the eczema is better, to prevent it from coming back. Keeping skin soft and supple helps it to maintain its natural protection. A child will often need cream applied several times a day, and always after a bath or shower. Use plenty of cream and massage all over the body. It is also good to avoid drying out your child’s skin by not bathing your child too often, preferably no more than 1-2 times a week and by avoiding soap.