A few days ago my baby (two weeks old last Monday) got a sort of rash in her underarms and the crooks of her arms, and behind one ear (strangely, not behind the other). It started out as little white pimples (not unlike the baby acne on her face), and was redish around the pimples. When the nurse came by for her 11-day visit last Friday, she looked at it and figured it was probably some kind of heat rash and just to watch it. Well, the pimples are gone now; they burst and left behind something that kind of matches the description of cradle cap--yellowish, flakey skin. Behind her ear, where it gets more air, it is pretty much dry skin. Under her arms, which almost never get air, it was less yellow, and it peels away, leaving the redder skin underneath exposed. It doesn't seem to bother her, and it hasn't spread in the week or so since I first noticed the "pimples", but I would like to know what it is. If it is just a cradle cap that isn't on her head (I read that sometimes happens), I will just keep it clean and wait it out. I really doubt it's impetigo, because she has no fever and it's not spreading. I'll probably call the Birth Center (where I had her) tomorrow, but I thought I'd see if anyone out there has dealt with this and knows what it is and what to do with it.
I went Sunday to the Birth Center to see about some more medicine for Gislaine's thrush, which hadn't cleared up as expected, and while there I mentioned the strange rash. But by that time it had nearly cleared up. They said it probably was ecezema and gave me a powder to keep the skin dry, but said it was probably nothing to worry about. I'm just glad it didn't bother her! My brother had ecezema, too, but his itched like crazy, even when he was tiny. It was a wheat allergy, strangely enough.
there's a good chance it could be psoriasis or eczema-both are skin conditions that my sister suffers from, and has since she was a baby (she's 39 now). I would definitely see your pediatrician, or see if you can get a consult with a dermatologist. neither are life-threatening, but they can be a real pain. my sister learned to control her outbreaks by changing her diet. hope this helps!
It may be yeast, candida albicans. My daughter had it mildly not long after birth. You can get drops from the pharmacist or doctor to take care of it quite easily. Best to do so quickly as it spreads to other dark moist areas, and can be very irritating to the baby!
Best of luck!
From the way you desribed the rash, it reminds me of what my daugther had. Hers was mainly on her entire face. Her face was had time spots all over and was red. Some spots would "pop" and ooze a yellow secretion that would crust over. Her doctor said it was seborrhea, which is basically what you said, cradle cap that isn't on her head. There wasn't much we could do other than keep her skin clean and don't use to harsh a soap. I did try to keep her out of the heat too much (born in May) which seemed to make it worse. It finally went away but now (at 1 1/2 yrs.) she occasionally gets the dry flaky patches behind her ears. I look back at her baby pictures when she was at her worst and can't believe how terrible she looked. I am wondering if she will have bad acne in her teens. Hopefully not though. I hope this helps. I would think the best thing is to talk with your doctor to see what they suggest.
Hi L.,
Congrats on your new arrival!
What you are describing sounds like a fungal infection which can be easily treated topically. Your baby's doctor can handle this if the Birth center can't.
Take care,
R. George
Doula and mother of Ben 16yrs and Daniel 12yrs
i agree it sounds like it could be eczema, which occurs most frequently in the areas of the body that "bend", i.e. the elbow, behind the knee, the neck, the underarms, etc. my daughter has eczema that is worse when her allergies act up but it is easily treated
L.,
Congrats on your baby!
It sounds like ecezema to me. You should get the rash checked out just in case.
My daughter has it occassionally; when she was a month old it was really bad like how you are describing. I thought it was heat rash, but it I tried treating it and it wouldn't go away. So started to use Aveeno Lotion after I give her baths. I give her baths about 2-3 times a week, so her skin doesn't dry out and I use a mild soap. Sometimes I just let her lie in warm water and then put lotion on while her skin is still damp to lock in moisture. The rash cleared up in a couple of weeks so now all I do is preventative measures with few baths and lotions.
Hope this helps.
R.
