Itchy Red Bumps on Face

Updated on August 08, 2007
S.R. asks from Woodbridge, VA
15 answers

my 6 week old has a rash all over her face and neck and on the side of her legs. The bumps on her face are itching her a lot and interfering with her sleep. The doctor said that it is baby acne but is it supposed to itch like that? Am I supposed to just sit and watch her constantly rubbing her face because it itches so bad? Does anyone have a suggestion or have maybe went through a similar ordeal and can offer some insight? thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you for everyones response and advice. I took my daughter (Taylor) to the ped today and they changed her milk again to Neutramagin. The doctor thinks that it may be a reaction to the Soy milk that she was on. She is also intolerant to cow's milk which she was switched from after a week and a half of being born. I really hope that this clears her up. She had also been spitting up a lot of clear mucousy fluid after each feeding when she was on the soy milk so the doctor said that it definitely sounds like the milk is the issue. Even still, I am re-washing all of her clothes, bibs, socks, etc and putting them on the 2nd rinse cycle just in case. I have that HE washer and dryer so it is difficult to find a detergent that has nothing in it but I did find Tide Free that I have been using. Anyway thank you for all the replies they gave me alot of insight into what I should do.

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M.W.

answers from Washington DC on

My thoughts, in addition to the other good responses, are that something environmental is causing this. What detergent/softener/additives are you using in the laundry? There could be residues on the sheets and clothing. My son had very tender skin and I had to be careful of what detergent I used. Maybe try running all the baby's items through an additional rinse cycle with nothing added. Soaps used in bathing can contain ingredients that will be wonderful for most but give eczema in others. If it doesn't clear up, I think a trip to the allergist or dermatologist is needed. Itching many times is an allergic reaction, and infants can be allergic as early as at the time of birth. And allergies are nothing to sneeze at, lol.

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J.G.

answers from Richmond on

FIRST OFF....NEVER USE PROBIOTIC WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR PEDIATRICIAN!!...For some babies probiotics can damage their sensitive stomachs and gastric tracts. It can cause runny bowel movements which can cause bad diaper rash which could also cause a skin infection on their bottom. I am not downing the all natural, organic people but I just think that is something that your doctor should okay before you go adding it to your child's formula. SECONDLY...NEVER USE CORTIZONE CREAM on your baby without consulting your pediatrician first as well. Cortizone cream is a topical (meaning applied to the skin) steriod and can harm a baby as young as yours. I would steer clear of this. It was probably okay for the other individual who used it on her baby beacaue her baby was older when she used it. The APA doesn't want sunblock used on children younger than 2 months so I definitely would not use a steriod on my child younger than 2 months.

I do have a suggestion though because I have been in your shoes........
My daughter started having the same problem when she was about 3 weeks old. I asked the doctor and she told me that it was baby acne and that it has a lot to do with the maternal hormones that were passed over when your child was in utero. I tried a cream called Aquafor and it helped quite a bit. Within a couple of days, the acne was gone and she was back to her normal happy baby self. My daughter has very sensitive skin and still gets acne every now and again from her own baby drool but the cream works wonders in making it go away. If this doesn't work, then I would consider maybe her skin is having a sensitivity reaction to the detergent you are using on his/her sheets and clothes (even the dryer sheets could be an issue) or even the lotion, baby powder or baby wipes that you use to clean your child up. Especially, if the rash or acne is itchy. I know that the APA tries to say that a baby can't develop allergies that early but I think that is a bunch of bull. I was a very sensitive baby and it was found that I was allergic to bounce dryer sheets when I was very young. I would try the cream first and then if you still have problems try changing small things in his/her environment(one at a time though so you can figure out what the sensitivity is to). Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Washington DC on

Barbara,
I agree with the others that this is not baby acne. The reason why is that baby acne does not itch... EVER. Baby acne should never cause your child any discomfort or itching! I also agree with the others that this is a allergic reaction to something. What you need to find out is what it is. Again, are you BF? It could be a food reaction. If you are, make sure to keep a diary of hat you are eating and when your baby's symptoms worsen or she begins to itch more. Get her on a good probiotic! You can buy the powder form and just put in her bottle with some water... if you are BF... if not... then just add to formula. Also... try adding 1 tsp of it to her bath. Let it absorb into her skin and work to fight off whatever it is she is allergic too.
Next, There re so many GREAT companies out there that make products with out additives, chemicals or toxins. WE are in such a mind set of our mother's generation, that we still think that our everyday products we use won't harm us or our children, but the true fact is.... THEY WILL AND DO!! Society is beginning to wise up, Thanks to us mother's, and ask, WHY?!? Why allergies, why asthma, why rashes, why sickness..... The reason is because we are trusting our mother's companies and using their products and plain and simple... the ingredients they contain are harmful. 90% of the Organic population is others! That tell's you something! Switch your laundry, bathcare and cleaning care products to all natural or Organic products and you will see and feel a difference. Now... if you want to go with a company that you can bring other's into and pay membership fees... try Airbonne, Melaleuca or even The One Group. Be careful with Melaleuca as some of their products are made from a petroleum base instead of most natural companies that use a vegetable base with their products. Also, some of their kids items still contain parabens and artificial coloring... like Red Die #40. If you are looking at just getting good products at your grocery without any membership fees... try Method products. You can get them at any Wal-Mart, Target or Safeway. Or you can order them online www.methodhome.com First time order only cost $5 for shipping, but the prices are $1-$2 more than at the local stores.
I believe that once you "Convert" your home to better everyday products, you will see a difference for you and your baby for the better and you will find you will save money!
Let us know what you chose and how things turned out for you!
HTH
Jenn
Mama to Bryce~9 Austin~6 Taylor~1 1/2
Step Mama to Nich~15 Christian~14

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J.U.

answers from Harrisburg on

My daughter was a little older, but she had something that sounds similar to what you are describing. My pediatrician said that it was eczema. He prescribed a huge tub of cream (can't remember what it was exactly) that the pharmacy had to make for me. It made a world of difference. Good Luck!

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T.W.

answers from York on

My 5 month old had this for a little bit. My doctor told me it was fine to use a little bit of cotizone, the lowest dose is like .5, from the local drug store. Double check with your doctor, but it cleared up my little mans in just a day or two. Hope this help!

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J.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Barbara,
My husband is a P.A. at the clinic and he would tell you to take her into your primary care doc and get her checked. It might be as simple as an allergic reaction to a new food, to a heat rash. But they would be able to help you more efficiently there.

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J.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

is it eczema? one of my nephews has it really bad and scratches it like crazy. i've given his mother the lotion that we use because it's made for sensitive skin and skin problems and it's helped a lot. i also use the lotion when my son gets diaper rash and things like that. it's made from natural ingredients and has worked wonders!

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Y.E.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi. My daughter had roseola which is like German measles and it caused her to have a rash all over her body. Red, itchy bumps. My mother suggested that I use pure lavender oil on her. I purchased it from a health store. It's very concentrated so I used very little at a time. It's supposed to be soothing. It did seem to work for her. Johnson's makes a body wash which has lavender in it too. Maybe you can try it.
Y.

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J.P.

answers from Harrisburg on

Hi Barbara ~ my son had baby acne when he was a few weeks old also, but it really did look like pimples. What you are describing sounds like eczema (which he also had). The ped. told me to keep lotion on him especially after bath time and gave me some elidel to use on him as well. It cleared right up (the pimples took a little longer :)
Hope you find this helpful. Have a blessed day ~ J.

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C.B.

answers from Richmond on

Hey,

My daughter had the same thing when she was about 6 weeks old. I looked it up online, they call it baby acne. Her doctor told me it is because she stills has alot of my hormones in her system and that is what wreeks havoc on her skin. Same thing like hormones and adult acne. Anyway, I just cleaned her face gently with a clean warm wash cloth (2-3 ties daily) and put a liberal amount of cortizone creme on the affected areas. It cleared then came back, it even disclored her cheeks. Now she is 11 months and has beautiful skin! So it is uncomfortable but it will pass. (Always check with your pediatrician though)
www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40522657
C. B

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J.N.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi There:

Itchy bumps can often be a sign of an internal yeast infection or "gut dysbiosis" in an infant.

Are her stools normal? Frequent? Does she seem gassy?

If I were in your shoes and nursing I would begin taking a good probiotic (the good bacteria that populates your digestive tract). You can find these in health food stores. Some are even designed for infants. Infants need the bifida strain in particular.

I would also take a look at what laundry detergents you are using and stay away from things that have perfumes or scents.

I would also take a look at what baby shampoos and body washes you are using. Soemtimes the MORE frequently you was a baby the worse the skin can respond. Babies that age really dont need too much. Many of the body washes are full of chemicals you dont want your baby to be exposed to (including the popular ones like Johnson and Johnsons). Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and plug in whatever you are using.

It has been very hot around here lately so there is a possiblity that it is straightforward heat rash.

The baby could also be responding to something you are eating if you are nursing (wheat and dairy being common culprists - many moms cant eat them or eat them at first when they are nursing)

Last but not least...make sure the rash did not occur after a round of vaccines b/c in that case it could be part of a vaccine reaction/viral issue.

I hope this gives you some information to troubleshoot with.

Good luck!

J.

www.leadingorganicskincare.com
Certified Organic Products for the Whole Family

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D.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Hello,

I feel your pain. My little man developed a rash similar to your baby's. I tryed everything to take the bumps away (I Mean EVERYTHING). Finally, as a last resort I used regular creamy Destin diaper rash cream all over his body. Much to my surprise, it cleared his skin right up! Not sure if it will help your little lady, but I know it certainly worked for baby. The doctor may try to prescribe you costly medications that may have side effects. Before you buy those, I recommend you at least try the Destin. My son is four months old and his skin has been totally clear since first use. Note: I continue to use it on his skin as his lotion.

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K.A.

answers from Richmond on

your baby has eczema. my son had it. we gave him elidel. after a bath, keep your baby's skin moist and then apply aquaphor at night. during the day we use aveeno moisturing cream for eczema. eczema is red, bumpy rash caused my allergies to food, etc. keep your baby's skin clean, moist, and dont put any tight clothes on her.

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K.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi Barbara,

I am so sorry to hear about your baby's itchy rash and I can offer you a solution that will give you and your baby relief. You don't have to sit by and watch your baby suffer. Our skin is our largest organ and made to work in conjunction with our liver to resperate toxins from our bodies. It is important to know "what" we are putting on our baby's skin because it is absorbed into their bodies (just like what we put into their mouth.) So, it is important to use products that contain healthy ingredients. Because many common everyday products contain ingredients that are "occlusive" they disrupt the skin's normal respritory function resulting in stubborn and itchy rashes. A company from Switzerland called Arbonne International makes products for babies that are a pure, safe alternative and I have personally helped many mothers and their babies with this serious problem by sharing these wonderful baby products with them. I would like to help you also. Please contact me at your earliest convenience - I would like to not only give you more information, but send some pictures to you as well so you can see the results, and give you some products to use for your baby for a few days. I am thankful that you have asked for a solution and I am looking forward to talking with you soon.

Best wishes,
K.

K. Stockton
____@____.com
www.resultsforyou.myarbonne.com
Pure ~ Safe ~ Beneficial ~ Results

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E.C.

answers from Washington DC on

can yu give her benadrill, that should stop the itching, she could be allegrie to soemthing either she eating on what every, wish you luck

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