Rash on Baby's Face & Body

Your baby might be allergic to something. I am asian and my husband is caucasian. Our son has rashes that come and go on his cheeks and other areas. I think he might have exzema but the things he is even slightly allergic to make the rashes red and look worse. Might want to consult an allergist and if that doesn't work at specialist in dermatology. Hope that helps a bit!

I would definitely change doctors. If the rash does not seem to go away, then I would get a second opinion. Babies do get a lot of skin irritations, but your doctor should be able to recommend something that helps.
Good Luck.

Hi! My son (who is 19 months now) had the same condition. We tried EVERYTHING and it was not until we went to a pediatric dermatologist that we found relief. Our Doctor correctly diagnosed it as eczema but it was so severe that nothing worked. Anyway, the dermatologist prescribed Desonide for the face and a more potent form for his body. We also were given some medicine to administer orally and that really helped because he was finally sleeping through the night without scratching and itching.

Meanwhile, until you can make it in to a specialist I would recommend Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema cream, and soap for the bath. Also try to refrian from giving daily baths. That also really helps. Good luck! I know it just kills to see your baby so uncomfortable!Oh.... and good news, I was told that babies outgrow this condition by age 2!

Hi C.,

My son has recently developed these weird rash all over his body. Don't put anything on it other than to wash him with water and mild body wash and light mild lotion.
It is very frustrating, it's usually food allergy or he has a virus and the virus is trying to leave his body, at least that is what my son's doctor told us.
Does your son have fever and does he wake up at night, is he restless, if so it could be a virus.
My son is black and your doctor is very rude to say it is because he is asian, his race has nothing to do with it. You should seek getting a better doctor that will care more about your son's issues.
Have you started your son on cereal or changed his formular?
It could be many things but get a second opinion.
Good luck

Hi C.,

Our son has the exact same rash in very much the same area. Yes, in the sideburn area he has a dry rash, which he does scratch at night. I'm half-Asian, my wife American.

We use a product from Johnson & Johnson that is made especially for dry-face patches. I can't remember the name of it, but check Target's pharmacy section or baby medicine section. It comes in a container that looks like a small deodorant stick. It is made mostly of oils and is thick just like deodorant. The balm disappears instantly, but leaves enough moisture that our baby needs. The rash goes is no longer dry the moment you apply, and the rash stays away for hours and hours. We find we don't have to reapply the balm until right after bath time.

Our pediatrician could only suggest using Aveno soap, but this we found on our own.

He's (we're) so happy with this product. I hope it helps.

Maybe getting a second opinion is a good idea. I work at a pediatricians office in Richardson and it sounds like your baby might have eczema. We have seen similar situations. If you are interested his name is:

John R. Porter MD
1112 N. Floyd Rd. Ste 10
Richardson, TX 75080
###-###-####

Is it like eczema? You might try to do a google search w/ pictures to compare it and see if that is what it is.

Since you mentioned you are Asian (I am from the Philippines) - it sounds to me like your baby has food alleriges - and b/c of your ethnicity it's probably milk. Is your son on a cow-milk based formula or a soy formula? Or do you breastfeed and eat dairy products? Eczema in young children is almost always a sign of a food allergy - and no it's not normal just b/c his part Asian, lol. But cow's milk allergies are VERY common in Asians b/c there hasn't been a lot of consumption of cow's milk/dairy products in Asian countries for centuries.

2 of my 4 children are allergic to milk (they get hives/rashes and intestinal bleeding - blood in stool), 1 is intolerant and she has eczema, and one of them cannot handle large amounts of milk or he gets cranky and very tired.

I would try switching to a soy formula (although many dairy allergic children are also allergic to soy - 1 of my 4 is also allergic to soy - in fact he's HIGHLY allergic to soy). Or to a hypoallergenic formula (like Nutramigen or Alimentum). It can take up to 6 weeks to see a difference b/c milk proteins stay in your body for 4-6 weeks after ingestion. If you are breastfeeding, eliminate all dairy from your diet (b/c it can pass through breastmilk).

And if it were me, I would switch pediatricians, and ask your new pediatrician about food allergies. There is a blood test that can be done w/ a baby that young - it's not completely reliable, but it can be a good starting point.

Good luck to you! I hope his rash gets better quickly!

--S.

It sounds like he has dry skin and my turn into a infection. Try putting on lotin for dry skin. If I were you I would change the dr. this is not just in asian babies. it could be exiama (spelling?). he might need an pres. for the rash. hope this helps.

I agree that you should consider eczema. A cream that helps my child (who incidentally had food allergies) is Key E vitamin by Carlson Laboratories. Goto a pediatric allergist to have your child blood tested. But while that may identify the items there is no medicine, only avoidance of the allergens. In time many kids grow out of them if they are completely avoided.

The pediatric allergist I went to (I've seen a couple) that was willing to try things other than steriods, etc is: Dr. S. Rao. The wait is bad and he is good and takes his time with you. Based on if you do a blood test, he can suggest alternate foods that may not trigger the allergies, if your child has any.

Be calm and know that time will help more that anything else. Good luck.

I have a friend who has a daughter with ezema she would use oatmeal baths and Aveeno lotion. At babies r us they have special lotions for babys with skin problems.

Sounds like very possibly eczema, and this could be made worse by allergies. My 2-year-old daughter has it bad, and I had it growing up. We've just gotten hers under control with a diet that avoids several foods she's allergic to (wheat, dairy, soy, corn, eggs, peanuts).

I've tried all the products you named and had a doctor much like yours. I have a new doctor, and here's what has helped us:

-All Free & Clear (fragrance-free for Laundry)

-Aveeno oat bath (not the moisturizing kind, the soothing kind with blue on the package)

-Hydrocortisone, and also stronger creams like Elocon by prescription only (I would not use Elidel)

-My dr. gave us a new product, Cutivate, and it seems to work great. It's .5% steroid lotion, but covers better than the steroid creams.

-Aquaphor ointment, Vaseline is fine too

-soaps: Cetaphil, Dove sensitive or Dr. Brommer's lavender (this one has few additives, smells nice but no fake fragrances)

-I wouldn't recommend Gentle Naturals or anything so heavily fragranced, even if it is called eczema cream.

-Eucerin cream is a must-have for us. It helps to put it on damp skin after bath, so it absorbs better. It's much thicker than a lotion for the extremely dry skin. Has no fragrance.

-Our child goes to Pediatric Associates of Dallas. As for a dermatologist, Robin Carder is at the top of her field in Dallas.

***I think it will be important for you to check into allergies, a regular pediatrician can get your child tested. Eliminating the offending ingredients might be the key. It could be milk, wheat and/or other foods (if you've started cereal or solids). It's hard to find feeding solutions sometimes, but this is the only thing that has brought real relief to my little girl, all the other things just help temporarily, if at all.

Hi C.,
Just at a quick glance it does sound like eczema type rash. The problem w/ eczema is that it doesn't ever go away, it just gets betyter and flares. Typically eczema is treated with Vasoline to keep it well hydrated and the cortisone to decrease the inflammation.
Others have mentioned a milk allergy and that is a very valid thing to look into- again w/ eczema there is a lot of allergy component to it and can be kept at bay with less exposure to the allergen.
The blanket statment of "Normal for an Asian baby" doesn't sound right. MANY babies of all ethnic make ups get rashes.
If you are not comfortable w/ the advice your Pedi is giving youi I would change. You have to trust your Pedi- they are taking care of the most important person in the world to you!
Of course, I would recommend my Pedi's- I've worked there for 14 years :-)PLease e-mail me if you want more info- or they are listed here on Mamascource- North Dallas Pediatrics.

Good Luck!

I agree with the other moms. It sounds like you baby has eczema. He probably picked it up from your husbands skin. Alot of light skin people get that. My daughter has it as well and we use Arbonne skin products. They have a baby line. The lotion is great. They don't put any mineral oil in their products. Mineral oil will only make their skin get more dry. It puts a layer of film over their skin and the moistior can not seep into their skin. They did a test with a salteen cracker. They put one in water and one in mineral oil. The one in water got real soft and crumbled. The cracker in the oil got very hard and brittle. The oil would not seep into the cracker. The same as with lotions. If you would like more info about Arbonne products contact Jennifer Jones @ <____@____.com>

I hope this helps.
M.

I am with everyone else sounds like excema. I am an Arbonne consultant and their baby line is made of all botanical products and has no fragerances or perfumes which you need to stay away from. I would love to send you a sample if you would like email me at ____@____.com, make sure your detergent is fragerance free.

C.,
Definitely sounds like eczema. Switch your doctor. If he is breast fed keep a log of what you eat and eliminate foods to narrow down the allergen. If on formula switch to Soy or other formula as the other lady recommends.
My son had eczema and we used Aquaphor. That was the only thing that worked. Other ointments actually flared the area more. We also used All Free Clear laundry detergent. We used Elidel but there was a FDA release recently that said that Elidel should not be used since it causes cancer and is not recommended anymore. So I would stay away from it. Good luck.

Has your doctor mentioned eczema? My daughter has this, we use perfume & dye free laundry detergent & fabric softner, a perfume & dye free baby wash, & Eledell(sp?) for flare ups. She really doesn't get any flare ups anymore since we have started using the perfume & dye free products, though. I hope this helps!

I'd definately find a new doctor. Your's sounds like a real idiot! Vaseline will keep the rash inside and not allow it to get out. There is a product called "Enhancer", that is put out by Pharmanex. It is all natural with the main ingredient being Aloe Vera. It is very soothing. Please do not think I am spamming you. I can help you get the enhancer, as you cannot go into any store and buy it. It is not an over the counter product.It is also very inexpensive. Let me know if you want more info.

C., I'm currently at home with my 3 kids, but was a nursery nurse for aout 3 years. I can't tell you what is causing your baby's rash, but I can assure you that it is not normal and that you have good reason to feel concerned. My advice to you would be to go to a different pediatrician. This rash could be eczema, an allergic reaction, or heat rash (although that goes away after a bath). The bottom line is that you and your baby shouldn't have to be miserable. I'm sure that another pedi. or a dermatologist could offer you a solution. Good luck, R. (We go to Pediatric Associates of Dallas, they're across the street from Presbyterian in Dallas and they're all good docs)

You may want to try Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. It doesn't sit on your skin like mineral oils do, and it's a natural anti-fungal. And if it doesn't help your little's rash, you can always cook with it! (EVCO is really healthy, check out www.mercola.com.)

The Kroger on 78 and Murphy in Sachse carries it in their "Natural Foods" section near the pharmacy.