Rashes are present almost from birth at one point or another in everyone.

Babies have many types of rashes, some of them just the result of the changed environment from in utero to air. Newborns are often dry and peeling by the second day and although the temptation to use lotions and creams may be overwhelming, it is better to let nature take its course. The first layers of skin will peel away in a few days or weeks and fresh new baby skin will emerge. Some babies develop infant acne which looks much like adolescent acne except milder. It is probably caused by maternal hormones and it is usually longer lasting in breast feeding babies probably for the same reason. It is not necessary to apply ointments to infant acne and certainly refrain form using any drying agents that are commonly prescribed for usual acne. Another common newborn rash is present shortly after birth and resembles pimples that appear and quickly fade and reappear elsewhere - this is known as erythema toxicum and is a normal newborn skin condition. No treatment is necessary. Some infants develop more significant rashes in the newborn period that require attention. Pustulosis is a serious infection of the skin which looks like infected pimples that have obvious exudative material inside them. Most commonly it is caused by the staphylococcus bacterium and needs immediate attention with antibacterial ointments and oral antibiotics as well. Good cleansing can often help avoid this condition but on occasion it is acquired in the newborn nursery despite hygienic precautions. If your baby has a pustular rash see your doctor.

Diaper rash is very common and usually easily managed. Most babies could use more "free" time with the diaper off so that the skin can "breathe" and some forms of diaper rash can be avoided. It is easy to imagine that skin that is moist, in contact with urine and stool, and then kept occluded within a tight fitting plastic coated diaper, could easily be invaded by organisms on the skin and in the environment. Most commonly it is yeast, candida albicans, that gets there first so that it is commonly advised to add an anti-fungal cream to the treatment of any diaper rash that is "older" than 48 hours. At that point simple gentle cleansing and airing out may not be sufficient and over the counter antifungal creams can be of help. Other types of diaper rashes include irritant rashes or contact dermatitis that are also best managed with airing out and at times, application of a very mild topical steroid cream twice a day. These rashes usually resolve within a day or two and when they do not respond quickly, a call to the pediatrician may result in a prescription for more powerful creams.

Seborrhea is another common infant rash that usually is limited to the head and neck and is responsible for the "cradle cap" of many infant scalps. This is a build up of oils and dead top layer of skin cells. Careful attention to proper washing making sure all soap residue is removed and then stimulating the scalp by form towel drying so that circulation is encouraged and dead skin is removed will usually repair the "rash". Sometimes this extends down the forehead to the eyebrows and similar attention remedies this as well. Occasional use of a firm but soft hair brush also helps to clear the scales away.

Although most infant rashes are not an indication of serious illness, there are times when a rash should alert you to investigate further. Is the rash pustular? Does your baby seem very uncomfortable and squirmy as though he were very itchy? Is the rash associated with a fever? Does the baby cry when you touch the area of the rash? All of these are reasons to consult with your baby's pediatrician before you start any home treatments. The skin is the body's wrapping paper and it envelopes a precious package - it should be of high quality.