A newborn's condition changes rapidly in the first few days and weeks of life. Newborn skin can show a variety of colors, textures, and markings, many of which will go away on their own. However, some other skin conditions in babies can be a sign of a more serious problem. When caring for a newborn, you can find out how his skin is developing and know when to call the doctor.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Recognizing Baby's Skin Color
Step 1. Pay attention to the baby's skin tone
At birth, the baby's skin may appear reddish or pinkish in color. However, the baby's hands and feet may turn bluish (acrocyanosis) due to insufficient blood and oxygen flow. When the baby's circulatory system opens, this bluish color will disappear.
- If your newborn's skin is completely bluish (cyanosis), notify the doctor immediately.
- If you have dark skin, your baby's skin tone may be lighter than yours at first.
- Light-skinned newborns may appear freckled, with reddish blotches and skin that appears white.
Step 2. Notice the patches of the same color
There may be pink patches around the eyes or in the center of the newborn's forehead. These patches are referred to as the nervus simplex, which is commonly referred to as “angel kisses” or “salmon spots”. Usually, these patches will fade within a few months, although they may still be slightly noticeable after a while.
Sometimes, the same spots appear on the nape of the neck of newborns. These patches are often called “stork bites” and will also fade or disappear over time
Step 3. Don't worry if your baby's skin looks bruised
Birth is a tiring process for both mother and baby, so a newborn may appear bruised at times. Baby bruises may appear as patches of blue or other color on some areas of the baby's skin. However, this is usually nothing to worry about. The doctor will examine the newborn, along with any bruises on the skin (if any) and make sure it's okay.
Part 2 of 4: Recognizing Skin Problems
Step 1. Watch out for swelling
At birth, the baby's skin may appear smooth and slightly puffy. However, it may also appear swollen. Slightly puffy baby skin, especially on the head or eyes (which is known as edema) is not uncommon and will go away on its own. However, if the swelling in your baby gets worse after birth, especially if it occurs in certain areas, such as the hands or feet, call your doctor immediately.
Step 2. Watch for exfoliation of the baby's skin
Within 24-36 hours after birth, the newborn's skin may still be pink, but will begin to crack. The baby's skin may peel (especially on the hands and feet). Normally, this will stop on its own without any problems.
Your baby's skin may still turn red when he cries, or turn slightly bluish or mottled when he's cold
Step 3. Pay attention to the natural layers of the skin
A newborn's skin may be coated with vernix caseosa, which is white like cheese. This layer may only be present in the folds of the baby's skin, such as on the feet. This layer protects the baby's skin from amniotic fluid while in the womb, and will wear off the first time the baby is bathed. The vernix caseosa will wear off so quickly that you may not see it for a long time, or even not notice it at all.
Step 4. Watch for pimples on baby's skin
Mild acne may be experienced by babies in the first few weeks of life. This is caused by the mother's hormones carried by the baby. This condition is not dangerous and will subside on its own.
Step 5. Treat cradle cap if it occurs
Many babies will develop "cradle cap" (seborrheic dermatitis) at some point. Your baby's scalp will appear dry, cracked, and possibly oily. This condition is not dangerous and will usually go away by itself when the baby turns 1 year old. You can provide the following treatments to treat "cradle cap" at home:
- Wipe baby's scalp with baby oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly an hour before shampooing. This step will help loosen the dry and dead scalp.
- Wet baby's scalp before shampooing and scrub with a soft bristle brush. This step will help remove the flaky scalp.
- Clean and rinse the baby's scalp, then dry gently with a towel.
Part 3 of 4: Recognizing Variations in Baby's Skin Condition
Step 1. Get ready to see the hair on the baby's body
The baby's skin may be covered with a fine hair known as lanugo. These hairs generally grow on the shoulders, back, and around the sacrum (end of the spine). These hairs are usually associated with premature babies, but can appear in all babies. Lanugo will disappear in the first week of a baby's life.
Step 2. Pay attention to milia
Pores that appear sunken on a baby's skin (usually on the nose, chin, and cheeks) are called milia. These spots may look similar to small whiteheads, but they are not to be confused with "baby acne." Milia is a common condition, and appears in about 40% of babies and goes away on its own.
Step 3. Notice the Mongolian spots
These purple-black or blue-black patches may appear (often on the lower back) of African-American or Asian children. Mongolian spots are harmless and will fade over time, although it may take some time in some cases.
Step 4. Observe Erythema toxicum
This condition is a rash that appears 1-2 days after the baby is born. It looks like yellowish spots surrounding a wider red patch. While it may seem alarming, Erythema toxicum is harmless. This rash should go away within a week.
Step 5. Pay attention to the color of the harlequin
This condition causes the newborn's skin to be red on one side and pale on the other. This skin color occurs when a newborn sleeps on its side due to the blood circulation system and other systems that are still developing. This skin color may appear suddenly, but will usually disappear soon (within 20 minutes) after the baby starts to be active or cry.
Harlequin color most often appears in the first 3 weeks of a baby's life
Part 4 of 4: Beware of Potential Complications
Step 1. Treat the diaper rash
If a wet diaper is worn for a long time, or if the urine and/or stool irritates the baby's skin, a diaper rash may develop. The baby's buttocks or genitals may become red and inflamed, making him uncomfortable and cranky. Fortunately, this condition can be easily treated at home. Usually, diaper rash can be avoided or disappeared within 24 hours if:
- Baby's diaper is changed frequently
- Baby's skin is carefully cleaned
- Free diaper ointment to be applied when changing diapers
Step 2. Tell the doctor if the baby's skin turns yellow
This condition, known as jaundice, is common in infants and is usually not associated with any particular disease or problem. This condition may cause the skin to turn yellow, or appear orange or greenish in some cases. This condition may appear up to 24 hours after the baby is born and reach its peak at about 72 hours. This yellowish color appears because the baby has accumulated a compound called bilirubin in his body, and may be caused by a number of things, from not enough milk to an underdeveloped liver. Usually, the jaundice will go away on its own within a few days, but it is generally recommended to breastfeed frequently (every 2-3 hours) and undergo phototherapy treatments:
Phototherapy treatment will expose the baby's body to light that can help remove bilirubin. The doctor will explain what phototherapy will be used if it is deemed necessary
Step 3. Observe for brown spots
Light brown spots (sometimes referred to as café-au-lait spots) may appear at birth or during the first few years of life. If these spots are numerous (or some are large), the doctor will keep an eye on your child as this may signal a condition called neurofibromatosis.
Step 4. Monitor for moles on the baby
There may be moles that appear in newborns, or what is known as congenital nevi. They can vary in size, perhaps the size of a pea, or even to cover the entire limb. The doctor will examine and monitor it because large moles have a greater risk of developing skin cancer.
Step 5. Ask the doctor to examine the baby for purplish patches
Port wine stains (purple-red spots) are often harmless, but they can also be a symptom of diseases such as Sturge-Weber or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.
Step 6. Have the doctor examine all lumps on the baby's skin
Fat necrosis is a movable lump under the surface of the skin and is experienced by some babies. Although fat necrosis is often benign and goes away on its own within a few weeks, your doctor may need to examine the lump to make sure it isn't related to another condition (such as kidney disease or hypercalcemia).
Step 7. Continue to observe the baby's skin tone
If your baby's skin is completely blue (cyanosis), tell the doctor immediately. This may indicate that the blood circulation in the baby's body is not smooth, or it may indicate a problem with the heart.
Step 8. Call your doctor if you have any concerns
Consult a doctor if you feel your baby is not as usual, or there are skin conditions that suddenly appear, especially if accompanied by:
- Pain, swelling, or heat in the baby's skin
- Red streaks coming out of one part of the skin
- Pus
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever 38°C or more
- Very fussy baby
Tips
- There are other skin conditions that may appear on the baby's skin, but they are rare. Doctors will examine the baby at birth, and help monitor his future condition. Always tell your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms in your newborn.
- Bathing a newborn is an easy way to treat and check the condition of his skin.
