Newborns undergo rapid changes over the first few days and weeks of life. The skin undergoes various color changes, changes consistency and can show various types of lesions, many of which appear and disappear spontaneously. However, some problems may indicate something more serious. If you have recently given birth, learn to recognize your baby's various skin manifestations and know when to contact your pediatrician.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Assessing Skin Color
Step 1. Notice the complexion
At birth, the baby's skin may appear pink or reddish. However, the hands and feet may be bluish (acrocyanosis) because blood and, consequently, oxygen still do not circulate well in the extremities. As the circulatory system begins to function at full capacity, the bluish color tends to diminish.
- However, if the baby's skin is completely bluish (cyanosis), take him to the pediatrician immediately.
- If you have a dark complexion, keep in mind that your child's will be lighter than yours at first.
- Light-skinned babies may have reddish and whitish patches.
Step 2. Look for the most common discolorations
Your child may have pink spots on the eyelids or in the center of the forehead. In the past these manifestations took various names ("nevus flammeo", "kiss of the angel" and "bite of the stork"), but today they are known as "nevus simplex". They usually disappear within a few months although they may faintly persist into adulthood.
Sometimes, a spot may appear on the nape of the baby's neck. In this case, it is called a "stork bite" and over time it disappears or becomes less noticeable
Step 3. Don't be alarmed if you see bruises
Because childbirth is a physically tough experience for both mother and baby, the baby may have bruises in various places on the body, which tend to bluish and other colors. However, don't worry. The pediatrician will visit your child, also looking for bruising, to make sure he is okay.
Part 2 of 4: Beware of Skin Problems
Step 1. Notice the swelling
At birth, the baby's skin appears smooth and slightly plump. It may also have significant swelling. Within certain limits, especially on the head or in the ocular area, it is a phenomenon (edema) that is not infrequent and disappears spontaneously. However, tell your pediatrician if you notice that it increases over the days, especially in particular areas, such as feet or hands.
Step 2. Be aware that the skin can crack and peel
24-36 hours after delivery, it may still be pink, but it may also appear cracked. In addition, it may be prone to peeling (more common on the hands and feet). Normally, this phenomenon is temporary and has no negative effects.
When the baby cries, the skin may redden and, as it cools, become slightly bluish or patchy
Step 3. See if it is covered with a natural patina
The skin of the newborn may be covered with the so-called vernix, a layer of whitish fatty matter, present only in the folds, for example on the legs. It is a substance that has the task of protecting the skin from amniotic fluid during intrauterine life, but it is removed with the first bath. Since it is destined to go away, it is visible for a short time, or not at all.
Step 4. Prepare for "childhood acne"
In the first few weeks of life, the newborn may develop a mild form of acne. It is caused by the mother's hormones passed on to the baby. It is harmless and resolves itself.
Step 5. Treat "cradle cap", if any
Many children may experience so-called "cradle cap," a form of seborrheic dermatitis characterized by dry, scaly and sometimes oily skin on the top of the head. This is a harmless rash and usually disappears around the first year of age. You can treat it in the following ways:
- An hour before shampooing, apply baby oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly to your baby's head. In this way, it will be easier to remove the residues of dry and dead skin.
- Wet your scalp before shampooing and use a soft bristle brush. Gently pass it. It will help you remove the cradle scales.
- Wash and rinse your scalp, then gently pat your head dry with a towel.
Part 3 of 4: Recognizing the Different Characteristics of the Skin
Step 1. Prepare for fluff
The baby's body may be covered with a fine fuzz called fluff. It most commonly occurs on the shoulders, back, and sacral area (the lower part of the spine). It is usually more common in babies born prematurely, but it can occur in any newborn. The fluff disappears in the first weeks of life.
Step 2. Consider the milia
The term milia (or even neonatal milio sebaceous) refers to a group of whitish or yellowish rashes that appear on the face of the newborn, usually in the area of the nose, chin and cheeks. These pustules resemble small white dots, but are not to be confused with the common "infantile acne". Milia is a fairly common skin condition that occurs in about 40% of newborns and resolves spontaneously.
Step 3. Look for any Mongolian spots
These are blackish-purple or blackish-blue spots that can appear (often on the lower back) in children of African-American or Asian descent. They are benign formations that disappear over time, usually within a year, although in some cases they last longer.
Step 4. Watch out for toxic erythema
It is a transient rash that can appear 1-2 days after birth. It manifests itself as red patches surmounted by small pinpoint pustules. Although it may sound alarming, toxic erythema is harmless. It should resolve within a week.
Step 5. Notice the Harlequin phenomenon
This is a condition where one half of the body turns red and the other turns white. It can occur when the infant lies flat on its side and is due to the immaturity of the hypothalamic centers that control vascular tone. The redness can develop suddenly but usually disappears within twenty minutes once the baby moves or cries.
The Harlequin phenomenon is most common in the first three weeks of life
Part 4 of 4: Beware of Possible Complications
Step 1. Treat diaper rash
If the baby wears a wet diaper for too long or if urine and / or feces irritate the skin, he can develop diaper rash. The buttocks and genitals tend to redden, causing pain and irritability. However, it is possible to treat this inflammation at home, but also to prevent it or make it go away within twenty-four hours in the following ways:
- Frequently changing diapers;
- Thoroughly washing the baby's skin;
- Applying a special ointment when changing the diaper.
Step 2. Tell your pediatrician if your child's skin is yellowish
This condition, called jaundice, is a physiological manifestation in the newborn and is not usually associated with a disease or health problem. It is characterized by the yellowish pigmentation of the skin, tending in some cases to become even orange or greenish. It can show up 24 hours after giving birth and peak after about 72 hours. It occurs as a result of an increase in bilirubin in the blood and depends on a series of causes ranging from the lack of breast milk to an immaturity of the metabolic pathways responsible for the disposal of this substance. Usually, jaundice disappears spontaneously within a few days, but frequent breastfeeding (every 2-3 hours) and phototherapy are recommended:
Phototherapy is a treatment based on exposing the child to light to induce him to eliminate bilirubin. If the pediatrician deems it necessary, he will explain to you what kind of phototherapy you need to undergo your child
Step 3. Look for light brown spots
Called café au lait spots, they can appear at birth or develop in the first few years of life. If they are numerous (or especially large), take the baby to the pediatrician as they may indicate a condition called neurofibromatosis.
Step 4. Check for moles
There may be moles on the baby's body, called congenital nevi. They vary in size - as small as peas or large enough to cover an entire limb. The pediatrician will inspect and monitor them because, if they are extensive, the risk of them degenerating into melanomas is higher.
Step 5. See your pediatrician if you see large purple spots
Vinous nevus (characterized by a purple spot) is often harmless, but can be associated with some congenital pathologies such as Sturge-Weber syndrome or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.
Step 6. See your pediatrician if you have any lumps under the skin
Fat necrosis is a condition characterized by the presence of floating subcutaneous nodules. This disease is also benign and disappears spontaneously within a few weeks. The pediatrician will want to examine these manifestations to make sure they are not associated with other health problems (such as kidney failure or hypercalcemia).
Step 7. Keep an eye on your skin tone
If it is completely bluish (cyanosis), notify your pediatrician immediately. It could indicate poor blood circulation or a heart problem.
Step 8. Contact your pediatrician when you are concerned
If you have the impression that your child is behaving in an unusual way or has unexplained skin symptoms, consult your pediatrician especially in the case of:
- Pain, swelling, or warmth in an area of the body
- Red streaks starting from one area of the body;
- Pus;
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever (38 ° C or higher);
- Abnormal tantrums.
Advice
- Newborns can have other skin diseases, but more rarely. The pediatrician will examine your baby after delivery and help you keep everything under control as he grows up. Always let him know if you notice any abnormal symptoms.
- Bathing is an easy way to care for your newborn and check for any problems affecting the health of the skin.
