Head-to-toe baby skin conditions and how to treat them

We often refer to beautifully soft skin as being 'baby-soft', so it can come as a surprise to new parents to see pimples, rashes or flakiness on their newborn baby's skin. But actually, these sorts of skin conditions are normal.

The good news is that most of the time they're nothing to worry about.

Cradle cap
Cradle cap is the greasy, yellow scaly patches that sometimes appear on the scalp of young babies. Cradle cap is thought to be caused by high levels of an oily substance called sebum which show on the affected areas.

Cradle cap tends to occur on the scalp, but it can also affect the face, ears, neck, nappy area and behind the knees. The scales flake and may make the affected skin look red in the first two months of life, but cradle cap is not contagious and normally clears up without treatment within weeks. It's important not to push at the scales or flakes in case they get infected. Instead, soften the scales with baby oil first and then wash them off with a gentle shampoo

Baby acne
Some babies are born with tiny white pimples on their cheeks, forehead and chin, or they may develop from around 2-4 weeks of age. It's thought to be caused by the hormonal changes after birth activating the oil glands and resulting in spots. Simply wash with a mild baby cleanser (Oilatum's Junior Head to Toe Wash contains ultra-gentle, effective cleaners for dry skin) and water once a day to keep it clean – there's no need to scrub. The spots should disappear without treatment within a few weeks.

Milia

These are tiny white bumps most commonly found over the nose and cheeks that occur in approximately half of all newborns. They're actually tiny cysts that pop up when keratin (a protein found in the skin) becomes trapped and they disappear within a couple of weeks after birth. They don't hurt, aren't contagious and don't require treatment.

Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that starts in young babies as a red, itchy rash on the face, scalp and body, and can make skin look dry and flaky. Skin may also look raised or scaly, with little red bumps that ooze or crust. Because it's itchy, your baby may scratch, which can lead to eczema patches getting infected, so it's important to keep it under control.

Using a specialist eczema product, such as Oilatum Junior Bath Additive, coupled with Oilatum Junior Cream directly on the skin after your baby's splash-about, helps lock in moisture and ease dryness. Treatment for eczema can help to relieve the symptoms and although eczema can be a long-term condition, many cases improve over time.

Nappy rash
Nappy rash is extremely common, and occurs when wee or poo in a baby's nappy irritates the skin and makes it red and sore – your baby might cry when you change her nappy, so be careful not to use wipes or anything perfumed on their skin – cotton wool, warm water and a very mild soap is best. You may see small red or white bumps, which could indicate a yeast infection that require treatment with an anti-fungal cream – see your doctor if it lasts more than a day or two.

The best way to prevent nappy rash is by changing your baby's nappy often, especially after they've done a poo, and making sure their bottom is clean before putting on a new nappy. Letting the air get to their nappy area will help, too, as will a barrier cream to keep protect their skin from irritants.

Erythema toxicum


This is a common newborn condition that can show up anywhere on the body and looks like white or yellow bumps surrounded by red skin. It doesn't hurt or itch and it isn't contagious. Experts don't really know what causes it but it doesn't need treatment and should go away on its own within a few days.