4 Month Old Has a Rash

When my son was little he would get a rash like that when he had ear infections. He would have no other symptoms that I could see, no crankyness, no ear tugging... The rash was the only way i ever knew he had an ear infection

Hi Alison,

It could be heat rash. It's been pretty hot lately and if you are keeping him in a blanket he may just be getting overheated. See if dressing him cooly makes a difference. Good luck!

M.

Most likely it is eczuma (sp?). Both my daughters had it and once in a while will still get it..

Sounds like it could be a combination of Milia and heat rash. Everything I have experienced with rashes says less is best. Let the skin breath (don't use any ointment or salve) powder is okay but won't do alot of good. If it is partly a heat rash, be sure to have plenty of time in a cool environment. I suggest "Taking Care of Your Child" by Drs Pantell, Fries and Vickery... excellent source of information.

By the way... it can't be Fifth disease. If your child has a slapped check look with a rash that has a very fine lacy pink appearance then you should suspect Fifth disease.

Hi Alison,
It could be roseola. Our daughter had that at about eight months and it's very common in infants. However, it starts with a fever.. I just thought she was teething until the rash showed up. If it's that though, there is nothing that they will give. We were told to bathe her in Aveeno. However, it never really bothered her and it cleared up less than a week after the fever ended. It could also just be echzema. How often do you bathe him.. Cutting back on some bathtime or not using soap for every bath should help with that. Breast milk can help fight echzema, too. Good luck!

Melissa

My son had this 2 times. Both times we took him to the doctor. Once the rash was from a cold some sort of bacteria/viral (I can't remember which one) rash as a result of the cold and it required no medication. The second time it started behind his ear and then his belly & back. This was from an ear infection that we were not aware of. And for that the dr gave him amoxicillin.

It could be other things of course, but this is my experiences with a similar sounding rash.

Sounds like hives, alison. My daughter got them at about that age from a lotion, but it could also be a reaction to a vaccine or any number of things. I would have it checked out...

Depending on where you live and what the temperature has been, I would guess a heat rash. Shirtless and cool air would clear it, if it is a heat rash.

Sounds like it could be heat rash. You don't need to do anything about it except keep your son cool. It will go away in a day or two. Most rashes on infants are not a big deal. As long as it's not itchy, and he doesn't have a fever, I wouldn't worry about it. If it lasts longer than a few days, he develops a fever, or it seems to bother him a lot, talk with your doctor.

Could be heat rash. Maybe just keep him in his diaper for a couple days to give the rash a chance to clear up.

Alison,

If you are nursing he could be allergic to something you are eating. My daughter would get rashes on her belly and chest and it wasn't until we started her on solid foods and she ate a banana that we found out she was actually allergic to them. I had been nursing and ate bananas not knowing that was the cause of her rash.

Of course, if you aren't nursing then my response is pretty much useless! LOL

I would look at your laundry soap first - or to any clothes you are putting him in that are new an unwashed. New clothing contains formaldahyde and flame retardants that are skin irritants.

It is quite common for babies to have allergic reactions to laundry soap. Most common brands contain chemical compounds that are dangerous for all of us. Look for laundry products that are completely natural, fragrance-free and baby safe.

Once you have ruled out these possibilities, you may find that the rash goes away...

alison; hmmm could be heat rash? dont know sorry , D. s

My little girl had what sounds like the same type of rash...looked like a bunch of little pimples....hers was right above her butt....we took her in and it was a form of staph infection....and her throat was red too....may want to get it checked out. Not to scare you but, I've heard that is what measles looks like too....good luck.......Missy

Alison, it is called fifth's disease. I have worked in a daycare for 9 years and have seen it several times. It is contagios. It doesn't hurt or itch. It is a strain of the chicken pox. Call your doctor, them my want to see it. I suggest goole this or go to webmd and look up fifth's disease to learn more about it.

My daughter would get the same thing right before she got a cold or started cutting teeth!

If he's breastfed, it may be a reaction to your hormones....a form of baby acne. He probably would have gotten it before 4 mos., but you never know.