Help for Drool Rash & Extreme Dry Skin on My Infant

Updated on February 05, 2008
R.S. asks from Venice, CA
35 answers

My poor 7 month old son has had red cheeks and chin for weeks now! He is drooling tons, so his pediatrician and I assume it's from that. Nothing I'm doing seems to help much and now, his whole face is covered with a layer of dead skin that feels rough to the touch. Iv'e been putting on moisture cream every time I change his diaper... I've used oil, balmex, eucerin, vaseline, aquaphor, even diaper cream and nothing is helping. It doesn't really seem to bother him, but it looks awful. I keep a bib on him to soak up the drool and change it when it gets wet, but are there any other secrets anyone can share with me? Thanks.

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

So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all the tips! I'll be sure to post when they work!-R.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try Lanisoh. It's the best for chapping...bum, nipples and cheeks! Wash his face first, dry thoroughly and apply. I wouldn't apply more than a few times a day...as the washing and drying will dry his cheeks out too.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Last week at the doctors, he recommended hydrocortizone .5% or 1% cream for the dry, red cheeks that are common in winter for my 9 month old son...it seems to be working. good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

it's not like you've tried everything...but have you tried boudreaux's butt paste? its available at walmart. good luck.
K.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Oh my goodness R. S, that's awful. I'm a stay-at-home mom and the company that I work with has WONDERFUL products that sound like they would help your son. It sounds like it could be a form of eczema and I have just the thing to knock it out. You can send me an e-mail if you're interested and we can talk at that point. Hope to hear from you soon and have a beautiful day!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

All I can say is I am in the same boat. My 7 month old has a rashy dry face too. Aquafor seems to work for a brief minute but that is it. It doesnt seem to bother him so I try not to worry too much. Good luck and I look forward to reading what others post. sorry I couldnt be help but at least know your not alone. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Izzy had a little of that, too, but her doctor said that drool doesn't really cause it to that degree, and that it was probably a food allergy- but hers was a combo of the face rash, some diaper rash, and a runny nose. He had me switch her to soy formula and it all cleared up. Now that she started back on milk she occasionally gets some around her mouth, but he told me to put hydrocortizone on it when it flares up. I also make sure I scrub the area around her mouth really well with a baby washcloth and baby wash (fortunately she doesn't mind the taste) every night. But I have never used any creams other than the hydrocortizone. I do occasionally put oil on her- not baby oil, grapeseed oil. Any food grade oil works (Olive, Canola, etc), but not baby oil. Something about the size of the molecules aren't able to absorb into a baby's skin, but food oils can. It's all I ever put on her when she was an infant, and she had the softest skin- like a baby's bottom!

PS. I totally agree with the Arbonne lady about the baby products and mineral oil- but Arbonne is REALLY expensive (my aunt sells it- great anti aging stuff) and completely unnessary for a baby. Food oil- if you want to use it regularly go for apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, or sweet almond oil. You'll sacrifice the yummy baby smell in the lotions, but I discovered that I liked the actual smell of my baby much better.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Have you tried Calmaseptine (spelling?) It is amazing!!! It is kind of like deistin in that it is heavy and thick..butit works wonders on burns , sores, diaper rash..etc..please check with your doctor first..I am not a doctor, but I would not want to be responsible for any allergic reactions etc....You can order it in the tube or in a jar through your pharmascist..but you DO NOT need a prescription..I am not sure why they don't just carry it on the shelves..any way good luck and God bless! It is a little price (about $7.00 or a little more for the tube..but it lasts FOREVER!!)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear R.,

I use A+D ointment and have fabulous results for any skin rash. You might want to try that.
Also, Shannon my friend had her Baby Brian scratching his skin since he was very young, and she tried a self preservative skincare product to wash and bath him, called "Shower Gel" from Sensé.
No chemicals, natural, botanical.
That problem when away, never came back.
Here is a site to get it:
www.danielleverse.usana.com

It is not only for babies, for Mom´s too!

All the best, let me know if it worked or if you would like to talk to Shannon directly.

D.
###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I hate to tell you that all of the creams that you are applying on your baby have mineral oil (a gasoline by-product) in them. Mineral oil is an occlusive oil that will not penetrate the skin. It actually seal off the skin and pulls the moisture to the surface, so actually it will dry his poor little skin out more. I am an independent consultant for a company called Arbonne. Our products do not contain any mineral oil and are made w/ botanical. We have an amazing baby line which we have had major success with dry skin. Please contact me if you would like some more info. I can get you a discount. If not, just make sure you use a moisturizer w/out mineral oil.
Good luck,

J.
____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from San Diego on

Hi R.,

Well, I went through what I think was the same thing with my son at 3 months old. We thought it was from drooling, and we tried all the things you did. Our pediatrician said it was baby eczema, confounded by dry winter weather and heaters. Our son's cheeks became red, cracked, and scabby. This went on for 6 weeks while we tried all kinds of natural remedies. It was AWFUL! Finally, the doctor prescribed a low concentration hydrocortisone ointment, and it cleared up in TWO DAYS! It felt like a miracle. That's our experience, at least. I hope this helps.

All the best,
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

The only thing I have found to work is 1/2% cortisone cream. I have been using it on my daughter when we go to Utah, and the cold and drool make her cheeks chapped and red. It won't hurt to try......

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Honolulu on

Hi R.,

Are you nursing your son? He may be suffering from insufficient nutrients for his body to function at its best. Whether you feed him formula milk or natural will make a difference.

It was discovered about 15 years ago the nutrients our cells need to communciate with each other are very specific carbohydrates known as glyconutrients. Five of these eight glycnutrients required in cell to cell communciation are found in mother's breast milk.

If you are not nursing him, your son is not getting these nutrients needed for his body to function well. Have a look at www.mannaworld.com.au and look at the performance or wellness page for further information.

I know of many families that have given their children this natural supplements and their ailments have been relieved because of it.

Hope this helps.

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.T.

answers from Honolulu on

My friends turned me on to " Lucas' Papaw Ointment " from Australia. Used it on my sensitive new born boys nappy rash and its gone. Also, Calendula Cream or Emu Oil are great for any skin condition. All can be found at the health food store.
B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Mustela makes a great stick for really dry chapped skin. I'm not sure of the exact name but I believe it is the only item they have in stick form. You can buy Mustela at Nordstrom or other specialty beauty supply stores. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi R.,

I have 2 boys, also 7 months and 3 1/2 years old. They both have extremely sensitive skin, used to get frequent rashes and the baby has eczema. Most of the products that are recommended contain mineral oil or another petroleum based product. This seals the skin. It does not penetrate, condition & heal the skin. The products that have worked for us are pure and safe and botanically based. We now use the wash, oil, lotion, diaper cream and sunblock exclusively on the boys. Their pediatrician was impressed with the results. I am also a consultant for the company and we have a very strict policy against using a public forum to advertise or solicit business (to protect their integrity) so I am not sure if I'm allowed to use the company name here. If you want to contact me separately, I can send you more information, a free sample if you like with a letter from a pediatrician intructing you how to use it for best resluts. I will send you my contact info in a private message. Take care.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from San Diego on

Have you tried any of the Mustela products? They have a face cleanser, hydra-stick, and face wipes that worked miracles on my little ones dry and irritated skin (caused by severe reflux). They sell the whole line at Nordstroms and now I have seen most of the line at Babies R Us. You can also look up all of the product information on their website www.mustelausa.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.H.

answers from San Diego on

When my son was teething and drooling profusely, he was getting a rash that sounds similar to your son's rash. I was told by another mother (and daycare provider) to use Lanolin, I used Lansinoh. It worked wonderfully on his skin. I put it on his cheeks and under his chin to heal his sking and repel moisture! Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Foods may be flaring this up. If he is on formula then it might be the dairy(casein) or soy in the formula. I would have him tested for food allergies specifically for casein(protein in cow dairy), soy, eggs, wheat, & corn. Your pediatrician can order a blood test for IGg antibodies for casein(dairy), wheat(gluten), soy, eggs, and corn. You can also go the elimination diet route. If I were you I would find a naturopathic doctor, ND in your area. You can do a google search for finding one in your area. They specialize in getting to the cause of the problem vs. using cortisone creams, etc. to manage symptoms.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

R.,

There is an incredible organic pharmacy that specializes in baby and pregnancy. It is on Ventura in Studio City and it is called Green Cradle. They are BEYOND knowledgeable. I use something called ecza salve and it works great!

Good luck,
K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi There R.. Well i am a person who does only home remidies. So this what i did for my kid who always, had bad skin . Till today , now that she is 9 yrs old has bad skin in the winter. I used to put butter on her skin where it used to be dry . Or like candice said . u can go to Traders Joe and use their coconut oil on him . You can also go to an indian store and buy it from there. and dont bath him that often every other day will be fine too.
L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.C.

answers from San Diego on

Hi, My 7 month old had this problem too. I went the organic natural route and used two things: One was a hemp stick by merryhemsters.com and the other was only good goop from I think loveybums.com or wildflowerdiapers.com. They get rid of the rash immediately. They are made with organic essential oils and don't have all the chemicals and additives that over the coutner products have. Most of those have so many preservatives they hurt the skin more than help it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My suggestion to you is that you visit NAET.com, order and read the book "Say Good-Bye to Children's Allergies" and make an appointment to consult with an NAET certified doctor. I go to Dr. David Karaba in Fullerton and absolutely love him. His phone number is ###-###-####. One of the wonderful things about NAET is that for children or the infirm, they can be treated through a surrogate, i.e., you. Here is the description paragraph from the book information.

"Say Good-bye to Children’s Allergies
By - Devi S. Nambudripad, D.C., L.Ac., R.N., Ph.D.
Paperback-1st Edition 2000
350 pages, 8.5’ X 5.5’ X .75’
ISBN: ISBN: 0-###-###-####-8-4
In Say Good-bye to Children’s Allergies, Dr. Devi S. Nambudripad, the developer of NAET®, will help you understand your child’s illness and will assist you in finding the right help to achieve better health for your child. This book will show you how certain commonly used products in your foods and environment can cause health problems in your child; how you can test your child in your privacy of your own home using the Nambudripad’s Testing Techniques described in the book. This book will educate you how your child’s health problems can relate to allergy, a traditionally under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed condition; and, how allergies can manifest into myriad symptoms that might seem unrelated. The author also provides remedies for mild conditions of common childhood ailments arising from allergies and how to find help in assisting your child find the right help for serious problems such as, asthma, hay-fever, common colds, sinus problems, milk allergy, peanut allergy, sugar allergy, hives, gastritis, vomiting, colic for newborns, ear infections, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, bronchitis, drug reactions, and many other conditions. Dr. Nambudripad explains how allergies are often the underlying causes to pediatric problems and how NAET® testing procedures and NAET® treatments can offer relief from these allergies. The book is supported by NAET® practitioners’ testimonials and patients’ success stories."

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.P.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

My son Jacob had the exact same thing! You are the first mom I've come across with the same issue. My friend that I worked with told me that she started using a new baby wash on her children who had eczema and said it cleared up and went a way. This new wash she was using was part of Arbonne International's baby line called ABC. She was so thrilled with both the baby wash and sunblock she decided to start selling Arbonne products herself. I decided to try the ABC wash and it worked on my son even though he didn't have eczema. I thought nothing would ever work since perscription creams from his pediatrician either did nothing or aggrivated his rash. It worked!!!! So I got excited about this ABC line and bought all of the products for my two toddlers and was very pleased and relieved to find safe, pure and bennificial products that I could get at 35% off the retail price if I became a wholesale buyer, which is what I decided to do. So now I get these amazing products for my sons at a very reasonable price. I wanted to share these products with other moms in my local moms group so I became an Independent Consultant with Arbonne. Please visit my website for more info at http://reneepreston.myarbonne.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi! I have a 2 yr. old boy who has had very dry, red cheeks and chin since the winter season started. I then noticed small dry blotches on his 4 limbs and took him to our doctor. The doctor told me it was eczema, which is fancy for rashes, chapping, or dry spots caused by sensitive skin. The best thing I could do, he said, was not soak him in the bath everyday ( AAAHH, he's 2 ), just sponge bathe or shower, and lotion a few times a day. Now the lotion should be all natural and UNSCENTED, as this could cause further irritation. The dry, cold weather/wind really plays a big role because we've vacationed twice at our cabin in the mountains and that is where I see it flare up much worse! What's really great is that it isn't really bothering your baby and it didn't bother my little guy either, so don't worry too much, just lotion up to prevent cracking and look forward to warmer weather!
Hope that helps,
M.
Redondo Beach

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Chicago on

Below you will find two addresses to the products I found relief in when my baby girl, who's now 3 months old, had blistery diaper rash once, and it never happaned again. The company is Burt's Bees, and the first product is Buttermilk Lotion. Buttermilk, and aloe vera help the dry skin with soothing, and sunflower and coconut oil help to seal the moisture in, providing a nice sheild, and it smells gently too, so you feel you are doing just the right thing for your baby. You may also try the Apricot Baby Oil, and that bottom address will take you to that. I do wish your family good resolution of this misfortune. With Regards.

http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Produc...

http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Produc...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

have you tried changing your laundry detergent to a total free version - including no phosphates ... we had a similiar rash with our baby and this cleared it up almost instantly ... it was wierd because it was only on his face and we were using Dreft - so we didn't think it had to do with a soap type allergy, but sure enough it cleared right up.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

is the rash just on cheeks and chin or on the entire face? Did you recently introduce foods from a strictly breastfeeding diet? Some things I thought of when I read your inquiry was eczema, food allergy, soap allergy or if you want to cover all corners get some blood work done to make sure everything 'on the inside' is doing what it is supposed to-

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with less bathing, especially in the winter months. Just go for the important stinky parts.
My kids get really dry skin too and a friend turned me onto organic cocont oil. I got it while back at Trader Joes. It comes in a little jar like a mayo jar. It solidifies when cold so I spoon out a bit and rub it in my hands and then all over my kids. I just did this to my neice's hands and put gloves on her over night and her red painful skin was better in the am.
The best part is that there are no bad things in it. Back to high school biology, but our skin is our largest organ and each tiny pore just soaks up all those chemicals in the other stuff.
I still on occasion will have my 9 yr old bathe and lightly towel dry. I rub it all over her and have her put her feety jammies on. She's soft in the morning.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try california baby Calendula cream.

Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try A and D ointment it always works for my son.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from San Diego on

Sometimes drool can cause a yeast rash. Maybe tray an over the counter yeast infection cream.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had a similar experience with my son. He was a big drooler and had a red patch on his cheek, which happened to be on the same side as the thumb he sucked on, so his pedi and I thought it was related to that. I tried a lot of the stuff you mentioned, and happened to stumble upon a connection to the baby lotion I was using on the rest of his body. He must have been sensitive to something in it because within seriously a day or two of changing to a different lotion (just because I was getting tired of the old one), the spot disappeared. My advice would be to take a look at anything else you're using on his body, and to double-rinse any clothing like bibs in case there is detergent residue irritiating his skin. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Hi R. S I think it could be the soap that your useing washing him with or maybe clothes soap???? maybe try some tree tea oil products like body soap or lotions. It keep out germs out of his skin helps makes the skin get better. I hope this will help. bye and good luck Kimberly B

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm not a doctor but if your sure it isn't a food allergy, I put
a small amount of yeast cream (vagisil) mixed with a little hyrocortisone cream on my son. He got a terrible rash while he was teething. The advice came from my sister a nurse midwife who thought is looked really yeasty. It worked.
A very small amount. I did check with my pediatrician and she thought it was worth a try at the time. We also used that on my daughters bottom when she had really bad diaper rash as an infant and we had exhausted every other type of cream/ointment. Again it did work. You could also take him to a dermatologist.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like allergy or food sensitivity, especially to dairy products. My sixth child was the first one to show any allergies--and I learned a lot, fast. He had red cheeks and rashy eyebrows, drooled constantly, spit up so that none of the older ones wanted to hold him!
I breastfed him, so I eliminated dairy from my diet--everything: milk, yogurt, cheese, casein, whey. He also reacted to corn--it is everywhere. The patches went away with the elimination diet. I was careful of these foods when introducing solids. For topical treatment, calendula works better than hydrocortisone, according to a friend with an extermely allergic to dairy child. (Eczema all over his face if she ate any dairy while nursing). Hope this helps.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches