Contents:
- Medical Video: Pediatric Answers : What to Do for a Rash on a Baby's Face & Chest
- What is a milk rash?
- How to deal with baby's milk rash
Medical Video: Pediatric Answers : What to Do for a Rash on a Baby's Face & Chest
Babies who are breastfed often experience a rash on their cheeks, or commonly called a milk rash. Even though it's called a milk rash, not many know that the redness of the itchy rash is not caused by liquid breast milk.So, what is a milk rash and how do you deal with it? Find out the answers in this article.
What is a milk rash?
The milk rash in medical terms is called eczema or atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that causes rashes, itching, dry and cracked skin.
Atopic dermatitis is most commonly experienced by infants and children. What is the exact cause of this skin condition is unknown. Even so, family allergy history is one of the biggest risk factors for atopic dermatitis.
In infants, atopic dermatitis does not only appear on the cheeks. Rashes can also appear on various other body parts, such as forehead, scalp, lahar folds, elbows, knees, and also diaper area. Atopic dermatitis can cause severe itching that can interfere with your baby's sleep. That is why, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Atopic dermatitis is a recurring condition and can last a long time, so it requires patience from the parents in the treatment process.
How to deal with baby's milk rash
Basically, the principle of treating a baby's milk rash or atopic dermatitis is to avoid everything that can trigger allergies. There are various things that can trigger allergies, ranging from food or irritant materials such as dust, mites, air pollution, heat, baby cosmetics, and laundry detergents. Following these are various ways you can do at home to deal with baby's milk rash, namely:
- Apply a special moisturizer to the baby after bathing to keep the skin moist. However, it is better to consult your doctor first to get a moisturizing recommendation that is safe and suitable for your baby's needs.
- Bathe the baby with special baby soap with a neutral pH, contain moisturizer, and do not contain fragrance.
- Bathe your baby twice a day using lukewarm warm water for a maximum of 10 minutes. Avoid using water that is too hot because it can make baby's skin drier. In addition, pat (do not rub) the body parts using a soft towel.
- Avoid wearing clothes that are too thick, tight, or made of stiff material such as wool and nylon to avoid sweat that can worsen the rash on the baby's skin. Instead, you better wear your little clothes made from soft cotton.
- Little clothes must be rinsed well and clean. Avoid using deodorizing detergents or clothing softeners.
- Don't forget to always pay attention to and maintain the cleanliness of your little diaper. Replace your baby's dirty or wet diapers as soon as possible and also clean the baby's bottom thoroughly. You can change your baby's diaper every 2 hours, and after defecating or small.
- If the baby drinks breast milk, the mother must avoid foods that are suspected of causing rash symptoms. In many cases, cow's milk products and processed products can be the main trigger. Consult your doctor to ensure the trigger factors for the rash on your child.
If your baby's rash does not improve, consult a pediatrician immediately so that a thorough examination is carried out and appropriate treatment is given.
