2 Month Old with Rash on Face

Updated on November 26, 2008
J.G. asks from Columbia, MO
13 answers

Hey ladies!! I'm hoping you can help... About 4 weeks ago my baby and I both developed trush. We both went to the doctor and he prescribed the usual for my baby and I was told to use teabags. Well, the first round of nystatin really upset my son's stomach, so instead of just putting it in his mouth with the provided dropper, I decided to just swab the inside of his mouth... Long story short, the thrush is pretty much all cleared up, even with using the nystatin very sparingly, HOWEVER, since all this started he has also gradually developed a rash around his chin and on his cheeks. It is not baby acne because is is more of a "blotchy" red rash that seems to get better and then get worse. I haven't taken him to the doctor yet because other than the ugliness of it, it doesn't seem to really bother him. He has no fever and other than his usual nighttime crankiness, seems just fine. I've tried putting Lansinol, 1% Hydrocortozone and even purchased some Desitin Clear, which they say is safe for the face. Nothing seems to be really helping. Some days it looks really angry - dark red and very dry - other days it is fairly light pink and seems to be going away. I'm just not sure what it is (like an allergic reaction, but wouldn't it be somewhere other than just his face), or if it will clear up on it's own. Any suggestions would be appreciated. He is due for his 2 month well-child check up next week, so I was going to wait until then, but it seems like we've been fighting this for a little over two weeks now, so I'm not sure if I should just bite the bullet and take him in now. Thanks everyone!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.L.

answers from Topeka on

Could he have developed eczema due to the treatment? Try vaseline first on it or if you want to go to the drugstore and get aquaphor(or ask the pharmacist). The doctor is likely to put him on something with steroids.

Good luck,
D.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.H.

answers from St. Louis on

Your baby could have eczema, that what it sounds like to me. My baby has a slight case of it and when he breaks out, it is usually on his belly and his cheeks, not really anywhere else. If he gets a really bad case, he will also get the rash in the creases of his legs, knees, arms, elbows, and some on his back. His pediatrician and allergist have prescribed him with a prescription petroleum jelly that I put on him when he has flare-ups and it seems to work right away. And, his flare-ups usually occur with a weather change, certain environment allergies, and when it is a very windy day and cold. Hopefully this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Lawrence on

Hey J.! The rash could be from laundry detergent. I would recommend converting your home over to "green" and eco-friendly products. I work from home with a 23 year old wellness company who also has some amazing lotion that will clear up that rash in a day or 2. It is amazing!!! I would love to share more with you and help you out so just send me a private message so I can explain more or go to my websites www.2abetterlife.com or www.2liveabetterlife.com This will help and make the ultimate difference for you, you will be so amazed (and with no toxins or chemicals too) and you will easily tell others about it too :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from St. Joseph on

Well a couple of things...next time you get thrush buy a bottle of gentian violet from the pharmacy and use it. It's a purple dye that will dye the insides of the mouth (and anything he drools on) BUT it will ELIMINATE the thrush with either 1 or 2 doses. Also, if you are breast feeding, he could be getting the thrush from you...I would recommend treating your breasts with an anti-fungal cream (yes, just like the stuff you use on your feet) and then cleaning it off prior to breastfeeding.

As for the rash, it could still be a reaction to the Nystatin or it could be a topical allergy. If you are already using dye and scent free detergents and fabric softeners I would give the Dr. a call. If you aren't all that worried about it and it's not annoying baby, then you can probably just wait it out until the check up...if not, then take him in. I would keep up with the Hydrocortisone but perhaps increase the frequency and put the Desitin clear on TOP of the Hydrocortisone. I have personally used Vanicream and Aquaphor for my daughter's rashes and have had success with them. But...whatever you use, make sure it is unscented or it will BURN!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from Kansas City on

This rash sounds similar to my son's, which is a type of dermatitis. We had to see a dermatologist to get a prescription of lotion to use when it flares up. I started taking pictures when it was at it's peak and when it was not so I had something to show the doctor. Use natural daylight for the pictures, as a flash will wash it out. Make an appointment with your doctor once you have some good pictures and take the pictures in with you. I wish you luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.H.

answers from Wichita on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentian_violet

Precautions
One study has linked long term exposure to large amounts of Gentian violet with cancer[1][2]. The Food and Drug Administration has determined that gentian violet has not been shown by adequate scientific data to be safe for use in animal feed. Use of gentian violet in animal feed causes the feed to be adulterated and is a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. On June 28, 2007, the US food and Drug Administration issued an "import alert" on farm raised seafood from China because unapproved antimicrobials, including gentian violet, had been consistently found in the products. The FDA report states:

"Like MG [malachite green], CV [crystal violet] is readily absorbed into fish tissue from water exposure and is reduced metabolically by fish to the leuco moiety, leucocrystal violet (LCV). Several studies by the National Toxicology Program reported that the carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of crystal violet in rodents. It has also been linked to increased risk of human bladder cancer. The leuco form induces renal, hepatic and lung tumor in mice."[3]

Gentian violet's worst common side effect is staining skin and cloth, but if used on ulcerations or open wounds it can cause tattooing. It is generally considered safe for use on children and breastfeeding mothers. It has even been applied to the mouth and lips of premature infants, and has a long history of safe use. Many have recommended it for thrush on the nipple, and La Leche League lists gentian violet as a possible alternative.[4] However, in large quantities, gentian violet may lead to ulceration of a baby's mouth and throat and is linked with mouth cancer. Dr. Sears recommends using it sparingly.[5] Gentian violet has also been linked to cancer in the digestive tract of other animals[6].

When using gentian in order to purple skin or jackets, care should be taken to mix only low concentrations of the crystal into warm water. This avoids the material attaining a golden hue. Additionally, jackets with a waterproof coating should be scrubbed lightly with a scrub pad, steel wool, or light grade sand paper before dyeing.[7]

You should be very careful about using this stuff with infants. OR on open wounds because of the possibility of a tatooing effect.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from St. Louis on

It sounds like eczema due to an allergic reaction. Eczema in babies is usually on their face or in the crook of their arm. It flares up when they are exposed to something they are allergic to and appears better when they avoid the allergy. It might be a reaction to something you are eating that he is being exposed to thru your breast milk.

My son developed eczema on his face because of an allergic reaction. His started when he was 6 mos old and drank a little formula with milk in it. I continued to nurse him exclusively and avoided the milk, but the rash stuck around until just recently. My son is allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts. The reason his eczema stuck around was because even though I avoided giving HIM any milk he was still being exposed to the allergens thru my diet. And we didn't find out that he was allergic to eggs and peanuts until he was 12 mos old so we didn't know to avoid them. Now my son's eczema is clear, except when he is exposed to one of his allergies then it flares up again.

You might want to keep a food journal and then discuss it with the pediatrician. Maybe it appears redder or worse on days you eat certain things.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Topeka on

It sounds like an allergic reaction to me...I would suggest a stop at your pharmacy...talk to the Pharmacist and see if they have any suggestions. I do feel however that as young as your daughter is...they are going to tell you to call your doctor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Lawrence on

My daughter and I both have "Keratosis pilaris". It looks kind of like acne, but not fully. You should try researching this on the internet to see if some of the pictures look like what your son might have. Having Keratosis pilaris on your face isn't as common as other places on the body, but it can still happen. My daughter has it on her face. It usually gets worse in the cold seasons and when the skin is extremely dry. There is no cure for it, but lotions that can help with it's appearance. They don't hurt or itch really...just annoying red bumps. Anyway, just a suggestion to look in to...Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I'm no doctor, but my first reaction is to think that it's related to the thrush. I was prescribed nystatin for chronic yeast that caused redness on my face that would come and go. I think it was something about the chemical reaction that the yeast made in the body - causing the rash. The nystatin did work. Thrush is usually indicative of a deeper problem. I'd try the oral medication again, maybe with something else so it doesn't hurt his tummy (bread or crackers).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

This happened with our son, we found out it was the detergent we were using on our clothes, our son would rub his face against our shirt and he would get this blotchy looking rash, we started washing our clothes in his laundry detergent, (dreft) and his rash went away. I never put anything on it, it just disappeard. When other people held him we would have them put a blanket of our sons over their shirt so his rash wouldnt come back.

Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Does it have a butterfly shape? It could be lopus. Exema showes up on faces also. You can have the lopus rash on your face with out having any of the lopus cancer in your body.(I know that sounds scarrrrrrrrrrry but my friends daughter has it and it really isn't a big deal you just have to watch it. I would have it checked out. She also seems to get trush more than anyone Ive ever heard of. Don't know if there is any connection.
Good luck

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I would just call the doctors office and explain to them whats happening, they will let you know if he needs to be seen. It could be anything. It sounds like an allergic reaction. My daughter has excema and it comes and goes like that. Its probably nothing major and with little babies I call over everything!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches