Right now, your baby needs the best skincare. Why? March is here – the hottest month in Nigeria. This means it’s time to protect your babies from heat rash as it is more common to develop during hot months.
Also called prickly heat, heat rash often develops when sweat glands get blocked due to excessive sweating, and the sweat gets trapped under the skin layer. Consequently, it leads to reddish or pinkish bumps, blisters, or pimples.
Though it may not seem a big skin issue to you as an adult, it can create quite a discomfort for your little baby. Luckily, the problem of heat rash can go away in a couple of days if you take care of your baby’s skin the right way and use the right baby skincare products, such as Cussons baby cream.
3 Reasons Why Babies Are More Prone to Heat Rash than Adults
- Unlike adults, babies are unable to regulate their temperature efficiently. Sometimes, they may overheat or lose heat quickly.
- The sweat glands of babies are not fully developed. They don’t sweat the same way adults do, and therefore, the sweat can easily get trapped under the skin.
- Since babies cannot clearly tell you about their needs, it’s not easy to know if your baby is feeling overheated or uncomfortable.
Signs to Spot for Heat Rash in Your Little Baby
You know how sensitive skin babies have. Thus, they are quite prone to develop rashes or itching. Sometimes, you may confuse some other kind of rash with heat rash.
So, it is critical to know the common signs of heat rash in babies, which are as follows.
- Reddish or pinkish patches in the skin
- Small bumps, pimples, or inflammation in the skin
- Usually occur in the skin around the neck, armpits, chest, diaper region, and other areas where your baby sweats more
- You may notice that your baby is feeling cranky or extremely irritable.
How to Prevent Heat Rash in Your Little Baby
Keep them in a cool and comfortable environment – In hotter months, keep the temperature in your home cool with fans and air-conditioning. If you are going outdoors with your baby, dress them in light and breathable clothing. Avoid direct sun exposure. If you notice that your baby’s skin is getting red or hot to touch, it’s a definite sign that you need them to cool down.
Keep the skin dry – In little babies, sweat and moisture tend to accumulate in between the skin folds. Dab their skin after a bath gently. Wipe away any grime or sweat throughout the day using a safe, soft, damp, and clean cloth or pediatrician-approved Cussons Baby Wipes.
When changing the diaper, dry their skin thoroughly or let them air dry before using a new one. After cleaning your baby, gently dab the skin with a mild and gentle baby powder, such as Cussons Baby Powder to absorb the extra moisture.
Nourish Dry Skin Using a Gentle Baby Lotion – Though it’s important to keep your baby’s skin dry, it is also critical to keep their skin nourished and moisturized. Since babies can have extremely dry skin, use a gentle and lightweight moisturizer, such as Cussons Baby Lotion or Cussons Baby Cream. It will hydrate your baby’s skin without clogging the skin pores or making the skin sticky.
In case heat rash (or rash) is not going away or you are noticing other symptoms, immediately consult with your baby’s pediatrician.
