Seeking Advice on Toddlers Red Cheeks

Updated on March 10, 2008
H.H. asks from Oak Park, IL
14 answers

My son is 31 months old and more often than not he gets red rosy cheeks. In the winter they get dry and rough. I told my pediatrician about it but she chalks it off as dry skin and tells me to put Vaseline on them.

I've put Vaseline, aquaflor, and just a damp wash cloth to clean them. Nothing is working.

I don't know if it's a milk allergy but he’s been asking for milk like crazy these days. I just started buying soy to see what happens.

Anyone have this problem?

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for the wonderful and very helpful advice. This morning he woke up and his cheeks were fine (he does drool at night). However his nose in runny and I'm starting to see a pattern. Right before he gets sick as some of you mentioned his cheeks get red. We are cutting back on the milk anyway, especially if he has a cold.

Very nice to have such helpful feedback!

H.

Featured Answers

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

Some people have really sensitive skin and get red cheeks. Winter is especially dry in this area so it could be the weather.

I've also heard of people getting red cheeks from citrus too. Does he drink lots of fruit juice or eat lots of citrus fruits?

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A.B.

answers from Champaign on

Hi my daughter gets extreme red cheeks during the winter or right before she gets sick. I have asked the doctor and they told me she just has sensitive skin. she is a red head. I just use cortizone 1%. it helps.
Good Luck
A.

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R.K.

answers from Chicago on

Does he drool when he sleeps. My son does and because of that I would have a hard time keeping his cheeks from chapping. I finally found a product by Jonson's called Johnsons's soothing naturals, it is a balm just for cheecks that comes in a container that looks like a small deoderant - you just turn the dial and apply to face. You can find it for sure a Target in the baby section by the lotions. But I'm sure most discount or pharmecies carry it.

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A.K.

answers from Chicago on

It is common. My sons when they were that age had rosey cheeks in the winter time. Since your son is over 2 1/2 years old, in the spring when he goes outside if it does the same thing. Do you have a humidifier in the house? If not, you should. see if it is attributed to the lack of moisture. If you are unsure that your 2 1/2 year old is allergic to milk, get a second opinion from a doctor.

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B.T.

answers from Chicago on

I'm not sure what might be wrong with your child but I may have something that could help. I am a consultant for Arbonne International. If you haven't heard of Arbonne we are a wellness company specializing in Pure, Safe and Beneficial products that are all botanically based an natural. We have a baby line that is truely amazing. We even recommend it to adults with severe exema and soriasis. My daughter had mild exema and these products have left her skin looking as if she never had it. I'm not saying your child has either of these skin problems but the products help with so many different issues. If you are interested in hearing more please contact me.

Thanks,
B. T

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

Hi there.

My children have also had the red dry cheeks. It could be triggered by allegies or it could be that those products you listed are not getting down into the skin and actually healing it. I will say, I started a business with Arbonne after remarkable results with some of their products including the baby/sensitive skin line. I am really not trying to "sell you". Just a thought. Whether you contact me or just look on Arbonne yourself. I would recommend the ABC line oil. It is not mineral oil or "baby" oil. It is botanical oils and has made huge difference for many people I know. Take a peek at the products you are using, they probably have mineral oil or petroleum in them. That did not work for me either. Just something to try. If you do want to try it from me, I will send you a sample pack.
Good luck.

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L.G.

answers from Decatur on

my grandaughter when she was a month old cheeks broke out and the docter had us use 1/2 cortizone cream clears it up shes 11 months old and gets dry winter rosey cheeks and we use it on them. we us the cvs brand its inexpensive

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D.B.

answers from Chicago on

i have a 5 year old and he gets the red cheeks also - changing to soy milk did help a little for him, but putting desetine at night on his cheeks seemed to help the most - now it did do a number on the bedding where it was rubbed off, but his cheeks have greatly improved!
D.
Crazy About Sewing

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, H.. My middle one had a strange and similar situation as yours and, like yours, she was around 2 years of age. It was a rosy dry patch that surfaced more prominently on the very dry winter days and it was just under her lip and a bit around her chin. It was like pink sand paper, very strange.

Eucerin's Aquaphor did "ultimately" work the best, just be patient. But I had to keep it on hand and reapply it throughout the day - but not unlike how often we put Chapstick on our lips, if you think about it. She's almost 11 now and still gets a little "something" after she's been playing outside and its super cold and dry.

Remember, too - growth spurts and the hormone surges that accompany them do induce these skin eruptions and changes. That could be adding to this. I noticed a pattern with mine in this respect. Good luck!

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D.D.

answers from Springfield on

We use many of the same techniques as others have posted but we also try not to rub the cheeks when washing. I usually splash his face with luke warm water after meals, pat dry with a paper towel, and then apply aquaphor. I can always tell a difference when sheets have been washed in regular detergent by accident.

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter too is apart of the rosey cheeck club. She has very fair skin and refused lotins. She does have an allergy slightly to milk ( we had an allergy test done because we thought she was allergic to the cats and she had a rash all over), but the allergist told me that is not responsible for her rosy cheeks, just that they were very dry from the cold. She told me to by Cetaphil, which I did. Now if my daughter would just stay put so I could get it on her cheecks.

Good Luck

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K.V.

answers from Chicago on

Aquafor usually works for my little guy with the same problem, but it still keeps happening. You may be on the right track with allergies. I'll look into it too!

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S.F.

answers from Springfield on

My son is 5 and we have been fighting this since he was a baby. We do not use dryer sheets or any cleaning supplies with fragrance which helped. We use Cetaphil soap for bath time and Aquaphor lotion afterwords and it usually clears it up quickly. If we are aggressive and keep it on even when he is not broken out, it seems to control the breakouts. We recently found out that he has food allergies as well. Something to keep in mind!

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, my son has eczema. Since 1 month old. Red patches on his cheeks and hands, then fingers. And a few breakouts all over his body. He's seeing ahomeopathic Dr. in Naperville (www.dupagehomeopathic.com). She's giving a free seminar on Saturday 3/15 in Naperville from 10-12. It's about treating chronic illness homeopathically. The info is on her site. It's done wonders for my son.

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