A rash on the head and body of an infant often appears in the first days of life. Should it be treated, and can neonatal erythema be dangerous? Pediatric dermatologist answers
From the moment the baby was born, in addition to joy and happiness, mother's life includes a thousand and one reasons for anxiety and concern. The very first of these reasons is a red rash on the baby's body, which often appears in the first three days after birth. It looks quite frightening: spots and bumps from 1 mm to 2 cm in size form on the child's body in different places. The name of this war is even more frightening: toxic erythema of newborns. Is it dangerous for the baby, and what to do if your child has erythema, said the dermatologist of the network of children's clinics "KinderKlinik" Natalia Popova
What is toxic erythema of newborns
Infant erythema rash can be quite severe / open sources
Toxic erythema is a fairly common disease. According to statistics, it appears in 45-50% of all newborns. Most often, the rash begins in the first 72 hours after birth, less often - immediately after childbirth or on the 10-14th day of the child's life. The rash can be single, in the form of several "pimples" on the baby's body, or it can affect quite large areas of the skin. It is usually found on the face and torso, but it can also occur on the arms and legs (with the exception of the palms and feet).
The rash looks eerie: these are red spots, in the middle of which there is a tubercle (rash nodule). The spots can be located separately from each other or merge into one large inflammation on the skin. This causes panic even among the most persistent and well-read parents - often erythema is confused with dermatitis, hives and even rubella.
In fact, toxic erythema of newborns is a benign infectious process, says Natalya Popova. It occurs due to the adaptation of the child's skin to the environment. The exact causes of erythema are unknown. There is a version that the rash appears due to the activation of the child's immune system in response to stress, which arises from the transition of the infant from the uterus to the outside world. And some doctors consider erythema to be a manifestation allergic reaction in response to new irritants (air, bacteria, hypothermia or overheating)
Is erythema dangerous for a newborn
One way to prevent erythema is with air baths / open sources
Despite its frightening appearance, erythema is not contagious, and moreover, does not pose any threat to the health and life of the child, assures Natalia Popova. Usually, the baby does not react in any way to the appearance of the rash. Only in rare cases (if there are really a lot of rashes), the child may be bothered by itching, which will make him more capricious. Since erythema has a benign course, no treatment is prescribed for it. It lasts, on average, from 3 to 7 days and goes away on its own without leaving any marks on the skin.
As a preventive measure for the development of the disease (and in order to alleviate the condition of the child if itching bothers him), you need to follow a few simple recommendations:
- air baths for the child more often
- prevent overheating and hypothermia of the baby
- timely change clothes that are dirty
- do not abuse bath products
- do not rub the baby's skin after bathing with a towel
Separately, Natalya Popova urges parents not to use protective cosmetics (creams, balms, lotions) with erythema. They will create a kind of "film" on the child's delicate skin, which can worsen the course of the disease. If you want to help the child, then after consulting a pediatrician, you can use a weak decoction of chamomile or string for bathing. All medicines that can relieve itching and relieve the baby's condition should be prescribed by a doctor. There can be no self-prescriptions or advice from a pharmacist in the case of a newborn baby.
Usually, doctors urge mothers not to panic and wait only a few days after the first manifestation of the rash. This is enough for the erythema to end and the child's condition to return to normal. However, if the baby's skin rash bothers you too much, it will not go away for more than a week or accompanied by an increase in temperature and poor health of the baby - in this case, be sure to show child to the doctor. He will rule out more serious infectious diseases (the same rubella or dermatitis), or prescribe the appropriate treatment for the child.
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