BALMEX®

A baby's skin is delicate and sensitive. And it is extremely important to keep new skin protected with what you put on it... and what you don't. Taking a little time up front to learn about basic skin care and common skin irritations will ensure your baby stays as comfortable as possible.

When evaluating skin care products for use on your baby, look for products that are appropriate for use on babies, and labels that say "gentle" and "mild."

Your basic set of skin care products should include:

An ultra mild cleanser for baby's hair and body cleansing.
A light moisturizer for everyday dryness.
A protective ointment such as BALMEX® Daily Skin Protectant for use on the diaper area to help prevent diaper rash, and for use on the rest of the body to help protect minor cuts, burns, and chapped skin such as on baby's cheeks.
A zinc-oxide diaper rash formula like BALMEX® Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream to help soothe and heal diaper rash for times when it occurs despite your best prevention efforts.
Baby appropriate sunscreen for every time you go outdoors. Remember, for babies younger than two years of age, you should first check with a doctor about when to use sunscreen and about your choice of sunscreen for your baby.

Common Skin Conditions for Babies

Birthmarks and mild skin conditions are very common. Be sure to consult your health care provider if your baby experiences any changes or if a skin condition does not seem to be improving. And if your baby's skin has blisters, open sores, is severely red, or does not respond to treatment, call your pediatrician. A prescription medication may be required.

Following are some of the most common skin conditions for babies, as well as a recommended course of treatment:

Cradle Cap - A scaly, red rash with greasy patches, that occurs in the "seborrehic" (or sebum-producing) areas, including the scalp, face and diaper area. Generally, cradle cap does not need to be treated as long as it doesn't bother you or the baby. If it is bothersome, gently rub a small amount of baby oil onto your baby's scalp. Wait for the scaled skin on the scalp to soften and loosen, shampoo with an ultra mild cleanser for baby's hair, and then use a washcloth or soft brush to help remove the loosened flakes. Most cases of seborrehic dermatitis resolve within the first year without treatment.

Diaper Rash - Skin irritation of the diaper area and usually the buttocks of an infant especially from exposure to urine and feces (stool). In its mildest form it can appear as light red dots and in its strongest form it can appear as bright red, inflamed, and sometimes broken skin. See the Diaper Rash Advisor section of this website for additional tips on recognizing, treating, and preventing diaper rash.

Eczema - Or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects up to 15% of all babies, particularly children with a family history of dermatitis, asthma or allergies. In babies, it often appears as a red, irritated, itchy rash on the face and scalp, but may be more widely distributed. In about 10% of cases, certain foods, (such as cow's milk, eggs, wheat or oranges) may provoke an attack. It's best to avoid the things that cause itching and irritation. Consider mild, hypoallergenic, and fragrance- and dye-free products to cleanse and moisturize baby's skin.

Heat rash - Appears as small pink pimples, often across the body. It results from high heat and humidity and undeveloped sweat glands. Be careful not to overdress your baby or overheat baby's room. Keep clothing loose and cleanse and dry skin thoroughly before diapering and dressing. To treat, start by cooling your baby off. Loosen or remove your baby's clothing, and move him or her into a cooler place. You can also apply cool, wet washcloths to the areas affected by the rash. Let your baby air dry to further cool off. A reminder - you don't want your child to become too cold, just comfortable.

Infant acne - Occurs in approximately 20% of all babies. While the exact cause is unknown, the action of maternal steroid hormones on sebaceous (sweat) glands may be responsible. Neonatal acne generally resolves itself during the first few months.

Jaundice - More than half of all normal, healthy infants develop a yellowish tinge to their skin in the first few days of life. It is generally a temporary condition, caused by elevated levels of bilirubin a chemical produced during the normal breakdown of old red blood cells, that usually clears up by itself. More serious cases require treatment. In all cases, you should consult your pediatrician if this occurs.