How to Treat Rash on Baby's Neck

Painful, red and itchy neck rashes can affect the delicate skin of your babies to quite an extent. What is more these skin rashes remain a persistent feature even when you have given it a bath and used all sorts of cooling medications on the child. Before we can look at the appropriate baby neck rash treatment, let us look at the possible causes of neck rashes in babies.

Causes

Intertrigo: This is a common cause of rashes in toddlers and newborns. This is basically caused by the chubby necks in babies that we find so cute. Since it is difficult for the babies to holdup its head, the skin folds rub against each other and encourage the rash formation and breakdown of the skin in babies. This sort of rash usually clears up on its own as soon as the baby learns to hold up its head and the constant abrasion lessens.

Yeast Infection: The skin folds in the baby's neck might also be the result of a candida yeast infection and neck rashes on babies. This fungal infection thrives in the warm moist environment of the baby's neck that retains the moisture after bathing. To treat this skin condition, it is advisable to keep the area dry and use an antifungal to clear off the infection.

Heat Rashes: Summer months can beckon the heat rashes or the appearance of small red bumps on the infant's skin. The sweat depositing in the neck fold creates an ideal environment for the prickly heat bumps on the skin. This often spreads around the chest and back and up around the ears and face.

Stork Bites: The name may sound quite funny but stork bites actually refers to the birthmark that appears on the baby's back and neck. Technically speaking, this painless red pinkish spot is not actually a rash but rather a collection of blood vessels inherited from the mother. In most toddlers, this mark will go away in a few months without any intervention or treatment.

Treatment

The treatment for baby neck rashes includes simple steps such as exposure to air, elimination of moisture and avoidance of irritating clothing. Here are some simple home remedies that you can use to eliminate the rashes on the baby's skin.

• Wash the area well to remove the trapped dirt and moisture. Rather than using fancy scented soaps, opt for mild baby soaps that do not cause skin irritation. Sponge the baby well with lukewarm water and dry. Remember that most of the baby soaps and lotions have harsh detergents that can cause drying and crusting of the area. So steer clear of them and opt for water and a sponge to remove the dirt.
• After washing off the dirt and sweat, dry the area thoroughly. Exposing the area to air allows the moisture to evaporate and the skin to heal. It is best to keep the baby occupied by doing something that allows its neck to stretch and let the area be exposed to drying.
• If your baby suffers from dry skin, then use olive oil to moisturize the skin. However most ointments contain heavy oils that may aggravate the rashes.
• Avoid scratchy fabrics that irritate the baby's skin and instead opt for soft cotton, loose fitting clothes.
• To avoid prickly heat rashes, use a humidifier to keep the room cool.

Despite these home remedies, if the baby neck rashes are a persistent feature or worsens and appears to break and ooze blood, then it is best to visit a pediatrician for the appropriate treatment option. Antifungal medication and topical ointments may be prescribed in case of a yeast infection. Remember that with these rashes, prevention is the key. So keep the baby's neck clean and dry to avoid the itchy skin rashes on your infant