For babies with teething rash, what is the best way to treat this?

Babies between the ages of 6 months and 12 months start sporting toothy grins and pearly whites. Teething often begins as early as 2-months-old. Your child may have disrupted sleep, an increased need to gnaw, and fussiness. Teething may also lead to excessive drooling, which might result in a teething rash. 

During teething, an erupting tooth can stimulate excess saliva, which may irritate the skin and cause red splotches and bumps. If you’re unsure whether your child has a drool rash, here’s everything you need to know to identify and treat the rashes. 

What is teething rash?

Teething rash occurs when saliva and the constant wetness irritate your baby’s sensitive skin Frequent rubbing on the skin from hugging and playing may also help develop a persistent rash when combined with the excess drool. 

Drool rashes are often found on a baby’s chin, cheeks, neck, and chest. These red splotches and bumps can be foul-smelling. Flat or scaly rashes also tend to appear around the mouth, especially if your baby uses a pacifier. 

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What causes teething rashes?

A baby’s saliva contains a digestive enzyme called amylase. This enzyme helps break down the food, which makes it easier for the body to digest it. When the enzyme comes into contact with the skin and dries, it can irritate a baby’s skin, which may lead to a rash.  

Teething rashes are often mistaken for eczema or other skin rashes. Every nanny or childcare worker must have basic knowledge of the symptoms to help distinguish the rashes from other skin conditions. However, consulting a medical professional would be the best practice to follow if you suspect a child has teething rash.

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When do babies require immediate medical attention?

If you notice your baby has flat, red, and pinpoint dots that do not turn white when you press down on them, it may be petechiae. According to Healthline, these are tiny purple, red, or brown spots that usually appear on arms, legs, the stomach, and buttocks.

Petechiae may resemble a rash, but they are actually burst blood vessels that are bleeding inside the skin. If the drooly rash suddenly gets worse, cracks, bleeds, weeps fluid, or is accompanied by a fever (especially for babies under 6 months old), see a doctor immediately. 

How do you treat a teething rash?

There are numerous at-home remedies a nanny can do when a baby gets a teething rash, like:

• Keep your baby dry by wiping any excess drool from their skin
• Changing them out of their clothes if it becomes wet from saliva
• Apply petroleum jelly before a rash develops
• Apply lanolin ointment on the irritated skin to prevent it from worsening
• Apply coconut oil, which has anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, to combat irritated skin
• Keep baby clean at all times
• Use a mild, unscented baby wash at bath time
• Use an unscented moisturiser on dry skin

How to prevent teething rash

While you can’t stop your baby from drooling excessively, you can prevent the drool from irritating your baby’s skin. Here are a few helpful tips to remember:

• Keep clean rags or towels ready for wiping up excess saliva
• Avoid harsh motions such as rubbing and wiping 
• Have your baby wear special bibs made for drool control
• Change the bib frequently
• Use a baby-safe lotion after drying the irritated area
• Change your baby’s clothes often

Best of luck! 

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