As a parent, it's natural to feel scared when you find a red rash on your baby's neck. Fortunately, there are many ways that can be done to treat it! The best option is to apply the drug in the form of a cream or lotion. If the rash is caused by overheating, try cooling your baby by removing clothing that is too thick, wearing breathable and/or cotton clothing, and applying a cold towel to the affected skin. If the rash doesn't improve after that, call your doctor right away!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Over-the-counter Drugs
Step 1. Bathe the baby with a mild, unscented soap
Although the rules for using each brand of soap are different, in general, you can pour a small amount of soap on a soft, damp towel and gently rub it over your baby's skin to bathe him.
- Choose an unscented bath soap that is gentle and specifically designed for sensitive baby skin.
- After soaping, wash the baby's neck with cool water while gently patting. Then, let the remaining water evaporate naturally to reduce the inflammation that occurs.
Step 2. Apply an unscented moisturizer to the baby's neck after cleansing
Moisturizers can help restore the condition of the skin after a rash. Although different brands of moisturizer have different directions for use, in general you only need to apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your baby's neck after cleaning.
Step 3. Apply a thin layer of skin-protective ointment to the baby's neck
A&D ointment, Aquaphor, or similar products can help treat dry or flaky skin. To use it, you just need to pour a small amount of the ointment onto your fingertips, then apply it to the baby's skin area affected by the rash.
Calamine lotion (commonly used to treat minor rashes and skin irritations) can also be applied to the baby's neck in the same way
Step 4. Use hydrocortisone cream if other medicines don't work
Hydrocortisone is one type of "powerful" drug to restore skin health. To use, pour a small amount of cream (about the size of a pea) onto your fingertips, then apply it to the area of the skin affected by the rash.
- Do not apply hydrocortisone cream to the baby's face to prevent unwanted reactions.
- Hydrocortisone cream should only be used for a short time. If the rash doesn't go away after a few days, ask your doctor for a prescription for longer-term medication.
- Infants under 2 years of age should not use 1% hydrocortisone cream, unless the cream is prescribed directly by a doctor.
Step 5. Apply cream to treat rashes caused by yeast infections, Candida yeast, or yeast infections
If your doctor says the rash is caused by a yeast infection, try treating it with an antifungal cream. Although each brand has different directions for use, in general you just need to put a small amount of cream on your fingertips and gently massage it into the baby's neck with the rash.
- An antifungal cream such as Lotrimin may also be useful for treating rashes from yeast infections.
- Once your doctor diagnoses the rash, he or she will recommend the best brand of cream that you can buy without a prescription at the pharmacy.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after applying the cream as yeast infections can spread very easily. That's why you shouldn't touch other areas of your baby's skin before washing your hands.
Method 2 of 3: Checking Baby to the Doctor
Step 1. Call your doctor if the rash doesn't go away
If the rash does not improve after a few hours, contact your doctor immediately. Most likely, the cause of the rash is another medical condition.
Other common causes of rashes are dermatitis, eczema, infectious skin diseases, impetigo, other diseases that are transmitted through human contact, and inflammatory diseases
Step 2. Call your doctor immediately if the rash appears to be getting worse
If the surface of the rash looks red, cracked, or damp, call your doctor right away! Also call the doctor if the baby is crying because it is bothered by the irritation that accompanies the rash.
Remember, conditions like impetigo can spread and get worse quickly. If your baby has impetigo, the rash that appears will look like moist or slightly wet sores after a few days
Step 3. Write down the various information the doctor needs to know
In particular, you need to note when the rash first appeared and how it developed after that. Other questions the doctor may ask include:
- Does the rash appear to be getting worse or better?
- Does the rash ever feel hot to the touch?
- Does the baby seem more fussy after the rash?
- Has the baby recently received any new food, medicine, or formula?
Step 4. Use medication to control the medical disorder that triggers the rash
If your doctor states that the rash is due to a medical condition (such as eczema or psoriasis), they are more likely to prescribe an ointment or cream containing corticosteroids.
Apply corticosteroid ointment or cream as directed by your doctor. However, in general, you can apply a thin layer of cream directly to the affected area
Step 5. Don't worry too much about the reddened skin on the baby's neck
In fact, it is common for red lines to appear on the neck of newborns, and is caused by a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis. Supposedly, the skin disorder will disappear by itself. If the condition persists after 1-2 weeks, contact your doctor immediately.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing the Rash From Reappearing
Step 1. Keep baby's neck dry and clean
Remember, the potential for rashes to appear will decrease if your baby's skin is always dry and clean. Although newborns generally only need to be bathed 3 times a week, at least until they can crawl, you should still clean their skin with a wet towel or tissue.
Babies can be bathed more often as long as their skin doesn't feel dry from it
Step 2. Dry the drooling from the baby's mouth as often as possible
Do not let the baby's saliva drip down his neck because this condition can also cause a rash. Therefore, you should always wipe the saliva around the baby's mouth, chin and neck with a soft cloth to prevent it from building up.
Step 3. Reduce the heat and humidity around the baby
If the rash is caused by the air temperature being too hot, immediately turn on air conditioning such as a fan or air conditioner. Supposedly, this action can reduce the intensity of the rash on the baby's neck.
If you're having trouble keeping the temperature down, try taking your baby to a cooler place like the mall
Step 4. Immediately cool the baby's skin
Actually, there are several ways you can do to cool baby's skin. For example, you can bathe your baby in lukewarm water or compress his neck with a towel that has been soaked in cold water. Both can relieve the itching and irritation that accompanies the rash, and prevent the rash from spreading to other areas of the skin.
Step 5. Remove clothing or cloth that is too thick from the baby's body
If the baby's body looks wrapped by clothes or blankets that are too thick, remove them immediately so that air circulation in the neck area can improve. Supposedly, this action can reduce the intensity of the rash on the baby's skin.
Step 6. Make sure the baby always wears clothes that are breathable and made of cotton
Because cotton is effective at absorbing excess moisture on the skin, surely the rash can heal faster because there is no sweat that accumulates. In addition, cotton is also a fabric that does not trigger allergies (hypoallergenic) so there is no risk of causing rashes like other types of fabrics.
Step 7. Keep baby away from allergens
If the appearance of the rash, according to the doctor, is caused by a food allergy, keep the allergen in question away from the baby and always check the label on the food package to prevent accidental contact.
Tips
Always follow the instructions for use listed on the packaging of medicines, creams, and other skin care products
Warning
- Call the doctor immediately if your baby has a rash or if there are any medical complaints that you want to consult.
- Treat the rash immediately if it spreads very quickly or makes the baby's condition really uncomfortable.
- Wash your hands immediately after applying the medicated cream to the baby's skin so that the rash doesn't spread to other areas.
- Make sure the medicated cream does not get into the baby's eyes, nose and mouth area.
