Baby Acne

Baby acne looks similar to teenage acne. You'll see white or red bumps or pimples, which

may be surrounded by reddish skin.

Acne usually appears on the cheeks and sometimes on the forehead, the chin, and even

the back.
It can become more pronounced when your baby is hot or fussy, or if his skin is irritated
by saliva, spit-up milk, or fabric that's a little rough or has been washed in strong

detergent.
During the final moments of pregnancy, her hormones cross the placenta into her child.
Among other things (such as maturing the lungs), this stimulates the oil glands on the
skin, eventually giving rise to the baby acne.

What could be causing my baby's acne?

As with adolescent acne, there's no clear answer. Experts often point to the hormones that
babies receive from their mother at the end of pregnancy as a cause of baby acne. But

researchers continue to study other factors and have yet to agree on one cause.
If you take certain medications while nursing, or if your baby takes certain medications,
they might trigger baby acne. And in some cases, a baby is reacting to a skincare product,
particularly an oily one that can block pores.

How long will it last?

Baby acne usually clears up within a few weeks, but it can linger for months. If it doesn't clear
up within three months, or you're concerned about it, talk with your baby's doctor. The doctor
may prescribe a mild topical medication if the acne is long lasting or severe.
Persistent baby acne may be a clue that your child will deal with acne when he's a teenager, too.
What can I do about my baby's complexion in the meantime?
Here are some do's and don'ts:

Don't use over-the-counter acne medicines.

Don't scrub. Baby acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact, too much washing can further irritate
your baby's skin, so don't overdo it.

Don't put oily lotions on your baby's skin. These can make the acne worse. Some parents
report that certain non-oily creams have helped their baby's acne. If you try one, monitor
how it affects your baby's skin, and be prepared to stop using it if it makes his
complexion worse. (Oil and lotion can aggravate the condition.)

Do: Simply wash your baby's face with mild baby soap and water once a day. Gently pat
it dry.

Do: Have patience. Your baby's acne doesn't bother him in the least, so try not to let it
bother you, either.

Chicken Pox

Starts out as small, itchy, red bumps. These bumps quickly change into clear, fluid-filled
blisters on a pink base, which eventually become dry brown crusts or scabs. The bumps
often appear first on the scalp, face, or trunk and can then spread over the entire body.
New waves of blisters often spring up as the illness progresses. Children usually get
between 250 and 500 blisters; although it's possible to have just a few, especially if the
child has had the chicken pox vaccine. Child may have a slight fever. Uncommon before

the first birthday.

Chicken pox, also called varicella, typically causes an itchy rash that starts out as small
red bumps. These bumps quickly change into clear, fluid-filled blisters on a pink base,

which eventually become dry brown crusts.

Your baby will probably be tired and slightly feverish. She may have a loss of appetite
and, for a couple of days before the rash appears, a mild cough or a runny nose. Chicken
pox usually lasts five to ten days.

How did my baby get chicken pox?

Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus (Human herpesvirus 3 (alpha), which
passes from person to person with remarkable ease. If your baby has been exposed to the
chicken pox, it usually takes 14 to 16 days for the pustules to appear, although they can
show up anytime between 10 and 21 days.

People with chicken pox can pass the virus along by touching someone after touching the
blisters or coughing or sneezing onto their hand, or by releasing it into the air whenever
they sneeze, cough, or even breathe. The virus can also spread from direct contact with
the fluid from the blisters before they crust over.

Is chicken pox dangerous?

For healthy babies, chicken pox is usually more of a nuisance than a real threat. On rare
occasions, though, even healthy children can develop serious complications from chicken
pox, like a bacterial skin infection,pneumonia, or encephalitis, a swelling of the brain.

Is there any way to prevent chicken pox?

Yes. A vaccine has been available since 1995, and the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) recommends that most children receive the shot at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second
dose at 4 to 6 years.
Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccination
A live attenuated varicella vaccine (Oka strain) was approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration in 1995 for prophylactic use in healthy children and adults. Vaccination
recommendations consist of 1 dose for healthy children aged 12-18 months and 2 doses, in a 4to 8-week interval, in susceptible persons older than 13 years. Studies in Japan point to high
seroconversion rates and long-term immunity in children after vaccination.[16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25] The
need for revaccination, or a booster immunization, will be addressed after more long-term
studies have been completed.

The effectiveness of the vaccine wanes over time, ranging from 97% in the first year after
vaccination to 84% at 8 years post vaccination.
Breakthrough varicella, which is seen in previously immunized persons, is a well-known clinical
entity. The disease course is much milder than conventional primary varicella and is
characterized by an atypical clinical presentation in which only a few papules or papulovesicles
are present. Transmission of VZV to other individuals may occur, although at lower rates than in
nonimmunized people with primary varicella.
Adverse effects of the vaccination include pain and erythema at the site of injection, allergic
reactions to gelatin, and the development of a localized chickenpox. Vaccine-induced herpes
zoster infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations has also been
reported, though it is a rare phenomenon. Rarer still is the transmission of vaccine-associated
virus from vaccinated individuals to susceptible contacts.
FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox disease. Most people who get
chickenpox vaccine do not have any problems with it. Learn more about possible side effects
of chickenpox vaccines.

Children who have never had chickenpox should get 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine at
these ages:

1st Dose: 12-15 months of age

2nd Dose: 4-6 years of age (may be given earlier, if at least 3 months after the 1st
dose)

People 13 years of age and older (who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox
vaccine) should get two doses at least 28 days apart.

A combination vaccine called MMRV, which contains both chickenpox

and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines, may be given to people 12 years of age and
younger instead of the 2 individual vaccines. Your childs doctor can help you decide which
vaccine to use.
FOR ADULTS
Anyone born during or after 1980 who has not had chickenpox or been vaccinated is at risk and
should get 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine. (The combination MMRV vaccine is not licensed
for those over 12 years old.)
However, pregnant women should wait to get the chickenpox vaccine until after they have given
birth. Women should not get pregnant for 1 month after getting the chickenpox vaccine.

Cradle Cap
If your baby's scalp has flaky, dry skin that looks like dandruff, or thick, oily, yellowish or
brown scaling or crusting patches, it's probably cradle cap. Doctors call it infantile seborrheic
dermatitis, and it's very common.

Cradle cap isn't cute, but it's harmless. It shows up most often in the first few months of life
and usually clears up on its own in about six to 12 months although some children have it
for longer.

You might notice the same condition around your baby's ears or eyebrows, on his eyelids, or
even in his armpits and other creases.

What causes cradle cap?

The cause is unknown. But we do know that cradle cap is not caused by poor hygiene or allergies.

Some experts believe that the hormones a baby receives from his mother at the end of pregnancy
over stimulate the baby's oil-producing (seborrheic) glands, resulting in cradle cap. Irritation from
yeast that grows in the sebum (the substance produced by the glands) is also thought to be a possible
culprit. But there's no consensus on the cause.
Cradle cap isn't contagious. And it probably doesn't bother your baby at all, although if it gets severe
it might itch.

How should I treat my baby's flaky scalp?

You don't really need to do anything, but if it bothers you, here are some things to try:

Gently massage your baby's scalp with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the scales.

Shampoo more frequently (up to once a day), but be sure to rinse out all the soap or shampoo.
After shampooing, gently brush your baby's scalp with a soft brush or a terrycloth towel.

Some parents have had success using baby shampoos developed especially for cradle cap.

Causes
The exact cause of cradle cap isn't known, although some researchers believe it's due to an overproduction of skin oil (sebum) in
the oil glands and hair follicles. A type of yeast (fungus) called malassezia can grow in the sebum along with bacteria, and this
may be another factor in the development of cradle cap.
Seborrhea happens most often in babies and teenagers. In both of these times in a persons life, hormone levels are high, which
also might play a role in the condition.
Certain factors like weather extremes, oily skin, problems with the immune system, stress, and other skin disorders can
make it more likely that a child will get cradle cap.

Symptoms
Cradle cap looks different on every baby. It can be grouped together in bunches, or crops, or it can be spread far apart on the
body. Affected areas will usually have one or more of these symptoms:

thick plaques or crusts (especially on the scalp, but sometimes on the ears, eyelids, eyebrows, nose, neck, groin, or
armpits)

greasy or oily patches of skin, often covered with white or yellow scales

skin flakes (dandruff)

In a very few cases, babies with cradle cap will have skin that is a little red or itchy, and some might even have hair loss, though
the hair usually grows back after the cradle cap is gone.

What is eczema?
Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a skin rash that usually appears before age 5. In babies it
tends to show up on the cheeks and scalp, but it may spread to the arms, legs, chest, or other parts of
the body. After a child's first year, it's most likely to show up on the insides of the elbows, the backs
of the knees, the wrists, and the ankles, but it can also appear elsewhere.
The rash might look like dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that
ooze or become infected if scratched. Scratching can also cause thickened, darkened, or scarred skin
over time.
How common is eczema?

About 20 percent of babies and young children have eczema. It usually starts in infancy, with 65
percent of patients developing symptoms in the first year of life and 90 percent developing symptoms
before age 5.
There's no way to know ahead of time whether a child will outgrow eczema, but fortunately the
condition usually becomes less severe with age. Many children outgrow eczema by age 2, and many
others outgrow it by adulthood.

Why Do Babies Get Eczema?

Eczema is caused when the body makes too few ceramides. Ceramides are the fatty cells which
help provide the barrier protection to the skin. If you dont have enough of them, the skin will
lose water and become very dry.

Heredity is a big factor in whether an infant gets eczema. If mom or dad have eczema, a baby is a
lot more likely to develop it, too.
Defects in the skin barrier, allowing moisture out and germs in, could also be a factor.
Eczema typically comes and goes. It isn't contagious, but because it's intensely itchy, it can be very
uncomfortable, and scratching can be a problem. If untreated, the rash can be unsightly, so it may
present a social challenge for a child, too.
Your doctor can diagnose eczema by examining your child's skin. He may send you to a
dermatologist for confirmation and treatment.

What Triggers Eczema in Children?

What triggers one infant's eczema won't trigger another's. Still, there are some common eczema
triggers to avoid, including:

Dry skin. This is often caused by low humidity, especially during winter when homes are
well-heated and the air is dry. Dry skin can make a baby's eczema more itchy.

Irritants. Think scratchy wool clothes, perfumes, body soaps, and laundry soaps. These
can all trigger a baby's eczema flares.

Stress. Children with baby eczema may react to stress by flushing, which leads to itchy,
irritated skin -- and an increase in eczema symptoms.

Heat and sweat. Both heat and sweat can make the itch of infant eczema worse.

Allergens. There's still debate as to whether food allergies in children trigger eczema.
Some experts believe that removing cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, or certain fruits from a child's diet
may help control eczema symptoms.

How Can I Treat My Babys Eczema?

Taking care of your baby's skin is the first step to managing infant eczema, especially when the condition
is mild. Try:

Moisturizers. A moisturizer containing ceramides is the best option for treatment. These are
available over-the-counter, as well as by prescription. Otherwise, a good moisturizer, fragrance-free

cream, or ointment such as petroleum jelly, when used daily, will help your baby's skin retain its natural
moisture. Apply immediately after a bath.

A lukewarm bath. This helps hydrate and cool the skin, and may lessen itching. Speak with your
doctor about using an antihistamine to relieve your baby's itchy skin.

Topical steroids. Over-the-counter steroids like hydrocortisone creams and ointments can help
lessen the redness and inflammation of a baby's eczema, when used as directed. Though these creams
are safe, they can lead to thinned skin and other issues if applied for too many days to the same part of
the body.

Other topical treatments are available by prescription to ease inflammation. Speak with your
pediatrician.
In severe cases of eczema in children, skin care can be complemented with:

Ultraviolet light therapy

Antibiotics for rashes that become infected

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOTIONS, CREAMS, AND OINTMENTS?

Moisturizers are classified based on their oil and water content. The more oil a moisturizer has
the more effective it is in treating dry skin. Ointments have the greatest oil content, followed by
creams, and then lotions. Creams and lotions also often have added preservatives that may burn
when applied to scratched open skin. Ointments usually do not burn when applied. Ointmentbased emollients and medications are generally preferred over creams for these reasons. Lotions
are not generally recommended. During the summer a cream may be preferable to an ointment to
prevent miliaria (prickly heat), which can occur after application of an ointment in the summer
heat and humidity.
Fifth Disease
Fifth disease is a mild rash illness caused by parvovirus B19. This disease is also called erythema
infectiosum. It is more common in children than adults. A person usually gets sick within 4 to 14
days (sometimes up to 20 days) after getting infected with parvovirus B19. About 20% of
children and adults who get infected with this virus will not have any symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms
The first symptoms of fifth disease are usually mild and nonspecific. The first symptoms of fifth
disease are usually

fever,

runny nose, and

headache.

Quick Fact
Fifth disease got its name because it was fifth in a list of historical classifications of common
skin rash illnesses in children.
Then, you can get a rash on your face and body
After several days, you may get a red rash on your face. This is called "slapped cheek" rash. This
rash is the most recognized feature of fifth disease. It is more common in children than adults.
Some people may get a second rash a few days later on their chest, back, buttocks, or arms and
legs. The rash may be itchy, especially on the soles of the feet. The rash can vary in intensity and
may come and go for several weeks. It usually goes away in 7 to 10 days, but it can last several
weeks. As the rash starts to go away, it may look lacy.
You may also have painful or swollen joints
People with fifth disease can also develop pain and swelling in their joints (polyarthropathy
syndrome). This is more common in adults, especially women. Some adults with fifth disease
may only have painful joints, usually in the hands, feet, or knees, but no other symptoms. The
joint pain usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks, but it can last for months or longer. It usually goes away
without any long-term problems.
Transmission
People with fifth disease are most contagious before they get rash or joint pain and swelling.
Parvovirus B19 spreads through respiratory secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus)
when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You are most contagious when it seems like you
have "just a cold" and before you get the rash or joint pain and swelling. After you get the rash,
you are probably not contagious. So, it is usually safe for you to go back to work or for your
child to go back to school or a child care center.
The contagious period for fifth disease is different from many other rash illnesses. For example,
people with measles can spread the measles virus when they have the rash. However, people with
fifth disease who weakened immune systems may be contagious for a longer amount of time.
Parvovirus B19 can also spread through blood or blood products. A pregnant woman who is
infected with parvovirus B19 can pass the virus to her baby.

Diagnosis
Healthcare providers can often diagnose fifth disease just by seeing "slapped cheek" rash on a
patient's face. A blood test can also be done to determine if you are susceptible or immune to
parvovirus B19 infection or if you were recently infected.
Once you recover from fifth disease, you develop immunity that generally protects you from
parvovirus B19 infection in the future.
Prevention & Treatment
Prevention
People with fifth disease are most contagious when it seems like they have "just a cold" and
before they get the rash or joint pain and swelling.
You can reduce your chance of being infected with parvovirus B19 or infecting others by

washing your hands often with soap and water

covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

avoiding close contact with people who are sick

staying home when you are sick

After you get the rash, you are probably not contagious. So, it is usually safe for you to go back
to work or for your child to return to school or a child care center.
Healthcare providers who are pregnant should know about potential risks to their baby and
discuss this with their doctor.
All healthcare providers and patients should follow strict infection control practices to prevent
parvovirus B19 from spreading.
For information about hand washing, see CDC's Clean Hands Save Lives!
Treatment
Fifth disease is usually mild and will go away on its own. Children and adults who are otherwise
healthy usually recover completely.

Treatment usually involves relieving symptoms, such as fever, itching, and joint pain and
swelling.
People who have complications from fifth disease should see their healthcare provider for
medical treatment.
There is no vaccine or medicine that can prevent parvovirus B19 infection.

Complications
Fifth disease is usually mild for children and adults who are otherwise healthy. But, for some
people, fifth disease cause serious health complications.
People with weakened immune systems caused by leukemia, cancer, organ transplants, or HIV
infection are at risk for serious complications from fifth disease. It can cause chronic anemia that
requires medical treatment.
Anyone who has sickle cell anemia, chronic anemia, or an impaired immune system can receive
immunoglobulin by injection to fight off the virus. Some of these patients may also need
transfusions of red blood cells.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an illness that causes sores in or on the mouth and on the
hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks and legs. The sores may be painful. The illness usually
doesn't last more than a week or so.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is common in children but can also occur in adults. It can occur at
any time of year but is most common in the summer and fall.
It is not the same as other diseases that have similar names: foot-and-mouth disease (sometimes
called hoof-and-mouth disease) or mad cow disease. These diseases almost always occur in
animals.

What causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus called an enterovirus.
The virus spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. It can also spread through infected
stool, such as when you change a diaper or when a young child gets stool on his or her hands and

then touches objects that other children put in their mouths. Often the disease breaks out within a
community.
The viruses that cause HFMD are spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces
of an infected person
It usually takes 3 to 6 days for a person to get symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease after
being exposed to the virus. This is called the incubation period.
Enteroviruses are a genus of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses associated with several
human and mammalian diseases.

What are the symptoms?

At first your child may feel tired, get a sore throat, or have a fever of around 101F
(38C) to 103F (39C). Then in a day or two, sores or blisters may appear in or on the mouth
and on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks. In some cases a skin rash may appear before
the blisters do. The blisters may break open and crust over.
The sores and blisters usually go away in a week or so.
In some cases there are no symptoms, or they are very mild. Parents may get the disease from
their children and not even realize it.

How is hand-foot-and-mouth disease diagnosed?

A doctor can tell if your child has hand-foot-and-mouth disease by the symptoms you describe
and by looking at the sores and blisters. Tests usually aren't needed.

How is it treated?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually doesn't need treatment. You can use home care to help
relieve your child's symptoms.

Offer your child plenty of cool fluids to help with sore throat. Cold foods such as flavored ice
pops and ice cream also may help.
Don't give your child acidic or spicy foods and drinks, such as salsa or orange juice. These foods
can make mouth sores more painful.
For pain and fever, give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil).
Do not give your child aspirin. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

Children are most likely to spread the disease during the first week of the illness. But the virus
can stay in the stool for several months and may spread to others. To help prevent the disease
from spreading:

If your child goes to day care or school, talk to the staff about when your child can return.
Wash your hands frequently. It is especially important to wash your hands after you touch a
blister or change the diaper of an infected child.
Teach all family members to wash their hands often. It is especially important to wash your hands
after you change the diaper of an infected child.
Don't let your child share toys or give kisses while he or she is infected.

Measles
Measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus. Once quite common, measles can now almost
always be prevented with a vaccine. Signs and symptoms of measles include cough, runny nose,
inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash.
Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates
have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease still kills
more than 100,000 people a year, most under the age of 5.
As a result of high vaccination rates, measles has not been widespread in the United States for
more than a decade. Today, the United States averages about 60 cases of measles a year, and
most of them originate outside the country.
The infection occurs in sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.

Infection and incubation. For the first 10 to 14 days after you're infected, the
measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this
time.

Nonspecific signs and symptoms. Measles typically begins with a mild to

moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed
eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three
days.

Acute illness and rash. The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are
slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red
appearance. The face breaks out first, particularly behind the ears and along the
hairline.

Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the
thighs, lower legs and feet. At the same time, fever rises sharply, often as high as
104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C). The measles rash gradually recedes, fading first from
the face and last from the thighs and feet.

Communicable period. A person with measles can spread the virus to others for
about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the
rash has been present for four days.

How to Prevent Measles

Immunizations can help prevent a measles outbreak. The MMR vaccine is a three-in-one
vaccination that can protect you and your children from the measles, mumps, and rubella.
Children can receive their first MMR vaccination at 12 months (or sooner if traveling
internationally), and their second dose between the ages of 4 and 6. Adults who have never
received an immunization can request the vaccine from their doctor.
Complications Associated with Measles
It is important to receive a measles vaccine because measles can lead to life-threatening
complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). In the United
States, about two in 1,000 people die from measles annually. In fact, measles is the fifth leading
cause of death and sickness in children worldwide, reports the Better Health Channel (Better
Health).
Other complications associated with measles may include:

ear infection
bronchitis
miscarriage or preterm labor
decrease in blood platelets
blindness
severe diarrhea