It is no surprise that your baby’s skin is very smooth, supple, and tender and this is why it is extremely important to meticulously care for your little one’s skin because it can be susceptible to rashes and infection if not cared for properly. Baby neck rash is one of the common issues.
These skin conditions can especially occur in the foldings of your baby’s skin such as elbows, thighs, and neck region. Out of all the conditions, rashes on the baby’s neck region is what are very common. Here, you can learn what this rash is all about, how it can be prevented, and what measures to take to cure it.
In This Article
- What Is An Infant Neck Rash?
- Causes of Rash on Baby’s Neck
- What Are The Symptoms of Rash on Your Baby’s Neck?
- Home Remedies to Treat Rash on Your Baby’s Neck
- How To Prevent Baby Neck Rash?
- When Should Seek Medical Attention For Baby Neck Rashes?
What Is An Infant Neck Rash?
Neck rash refers to the red and itchy skin on the neck folds that appears bumpy and scaly. The neck rashes are generally red in color and can be raised or flat on the skin of the foldings in the neck of an infant. These rashes and infections are very common for babies in their 4th or 5th month. Some reasons for this rash could be prickly heat or skin infections triggered by a fungus.
Causes of Rash on Baby’s Neck
Some of the reasons for baby neck rashes are:
Milk Drool
When you breastfeed your baby, there is a chance that some excess milk may get spilled onto his neck. If not cleaned properly, traces of this milk starts getting collected in the skin folds. If not cleaned properly, the traces of this milk starts to collect in the folds and eventually pave the way to neck rash.
Stork Bites
Stork bites are tiny pink spots that you can find on the baby’s neck since birth. But these cannot be considered rashes because they are just blood vessels that get gathered together under the skin. These spots will automatically vanish within a couple of months after the baby’s birth.
Skin Irritation
Because of the plump and chubby nature of the infant’s neck, these neck rashes appear in the first couple of months after birth. It is the result of constant friction and excessive moisture between the folds of the baby’s neck. This will keep appearing until the baby is able to hold its neck up steadily with no support.
Prickly Heat
Prickly heat rashes appear usually in summer and it is quite common. This can appear not only on the neck but on other parts of the body too. The dry heat in summer can irritate an infant’s tender skin and cause these small, red, and itchy rashes. This is sometimes known as heat rash too.
Fungal Infection
Fungal infections are quite common and frequent in infants due to the excessive moisture and sweat in the folds of the baby’s neck. Yeast infection is a common form of fungal infection that causes baby neck rashes.
What Are The Symptoms of Rash on Your Baby’s Neck?
Some of the very common symptoms of rashes on babies are:
- The appearance of red spots on the neck
- Itchy and scaly skin
- Pain in that area
- Loss in appetite
- Not that common, yet some babies develop a fever
Home Remedies to Treat Rash on Your Baby’s Neck
Most of the skin rashes that occur in babies, disappear without any treatment in some days. But in those few days, the baby becomes very uncomfortable due to the continuous itching and burning of the rashes. Here are some simple home remedies to follow to soothe your baby’s discomfort.
Use Light & Breathable Fabrics
Do not use heavy, stiff, rough, or uncomfortable dresses and clothes on your baby, especially, if he or she is experiencing heat-related neck rash. Ensure to clothe your baby in light and breathable fabrics such as cotton. This should be followed, especially, during the summers. Also, do not use strong detergents or bleach to wash the baby’s clothes as the harsh substances in these products can lead to skin irritation.
Use Cornstarch
Before taking your baby outdoors, you can sprinkle some cornstarch on your baby’s neck region as this will help in keeping the area moist-free and dry without attracting bacteria and infection. You can even sprinkle cornstarch almost immediately after the bath as well for the same reason.
Use Oatmeal
While bathing your baby, you can add some oats in the water too, or use the oat extract for soothing the baby’s skin from the rashes. Wrap oatmeal in a clean washcloth and immerse it in lukewarm water until the cloth and the oatmeal is wet. Take it out and squeeze the oat water on the baby’s neck and then pat it dry with a clean cloth.
Use Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress or rinsing the neck area with cold water helps to reduce inflammation and alleviate the itchiness and pain due to the neck rash. When it comes to a cold compress, you can apply it a few times a day. Whichever means you opt, always remember to pat dry the area afterward to make sure no moisture remains.
Apply Skin Creams and Lotions to Your Baby’s Rash
There are many lotions and creams on the market for baby rashes. However, do consult with your pediatrician before using any of them as babies tend to be allergic to some of the components in these baby products.
Always Bathe The Baby In Boiled Or Distilled Water
While bathing your baby, always use only distilled or boiled water. This will prevent any harmful bacteria or microbes which may harm your baby’s skin otherwise. You can also add some baking soda or oatmeal to the water to soothe any skin inflammation that your baby might have.
Baby Massage Using Coconut Oil
Try and massage your baby’s body using coconut oil two times a day as this will result in softer and cleaner skin. Coconut oil is well known for its anti-microbial property. Therefore, massaging the baby with coconut oil will help to alleviate any skin infection.
When Should Seek Medical Attention For Baby Neck Rashes?
More often than not the baby’s neck rashes may not require any medical intervention. They usually heal on their own. Moreover, home remedies help to alleviate the pain and irritation of baby neck rashes.
However, never hesitate to see a doctor:
- When the neck rash shows no signs of healing
- If the rash starts to spread to other parts of the body
- When fever appears along with the neck rash
- If the neck rash develops pus-filled blisters
How To Prevent Baby Neck Rash?
You can prevent your baby from getting neck rash by:
- Maintaining good hygiene practices and bathing your infant regularly
- Choosing the right type of fabrics to clothe your baby. Try avoiding woolen clothes and woolen blankets.
- Keep the baby’s neck area dry (devoid of moisture) at all times.
- Try keeping the baby’s atmosphere cold and ventilated because heat can cause sweating in the folds of the skin and lead to rashes.
A Baby’s skin, unlike an adult’s, is extremely sensitive and prone to such infections. Keeping it dry and in the good hygienic condition is the key to avoiding any such rashes. If the rashes become severe or are not disappearing in a few days, it is best to get them checked by your pediatrician.
