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.

Various rashes are common in children, especially during their first year of life. Most of the time, the rash will disappear on its own and it is rarely necessary to seek treatment. However, there are some things you can do to take care of your little one’s skin.

Dry skin in newborns
It is common for newborns to have dry and scaly skin, so it is good to drop a little baby oil in your baby’s bath water. The dryness usually disappears after 1-2 weeks. If their skin is extremely dry (usually seen around the wrists and ankles), a perfume-free emollient cream can be used. Avoid things that may irritate your child’s skin, such as ready-made wipes, perfumed products and fabric softener.

Red rashes
Red rashes that come and go are often heat rashes. These are often localised to where the child has got warm, such as the neck, under the chin, etc. Once your child gets cooler, the rash usually disappears.

Hormonal acne/ Erythema toxicum neonatorum
Most babies develop small red, raised spots, often with a small yellow-white dot in the center, sometime during their first month. These are usually called hormone acne. The most common locations are the face, neck and chest, but they can appear anywhere on a child’s body. The spots may come and go, are completely harmless and do not bother your child. They do not require any treatment and disappear on their own after a few weeks.

Nappy rash
It is common for the skin under the nappy to get irritated due to the heat and moisture from their pee and poo. Most of the time, these problems are mild and do not hurt your child, but it is good to change their nappy a little more frequently. If the rash is more severe, your child may react to the nappy change and scream or cry.

The best thing you can do is let your baby’s skin air dry. Let your baby lie on a dry surface for as long as possible. When you need to wash your baby’s skin when changing nappies, avoid wet wipes and instead use your hand and lukewarm water. If it is difficult clean their skin, you can use a little baby oil together with water. Let you baby’s skin air dry after washing or gently pat the skin dry. To help the skin heal, you can use an ointment that contains zinc. If the rash does not get better soon, talk to a children’s health centre.

Cradle cap
Seborrheic eczema, commonly called cradle cap, appears in many babies a few months after birth. It appears as yellowish, slightly greasy scales on your child’s scalp, often including the eyebrows. They do not bother your child and are usually simple to treat yourself.

If your child only has a small amount of scurf, it usually helps to moisturise your baby’s scalp with baby oil in the evening and leave it on until the next morning. Rub their scalp gently with a towel before washing their head with a mild baby shampoo. The treatment may need to be repeated a few nights in a row. If your child’s scurf is difficult to remove, talk to a children’s health centre.