What is this?

Over a week ago, DD started developing some small red bumps on her cheeks. Well in the past few days, it has gotten progressively worse, and the small red bumps are all over her face, and have spread to her ears, neck, shoulders and scalp. Her scalp is also very flaky (like dandruff), and I noticed that there are some slight yellow crusty skin around the ears (which sounds to me like cradle cap). At first I thought this was newborn acne, but now I'm starting to wonder if it is seborrhoeic dermatitis or eczema. Anyone have experience with this? How is it treated, and how long does it take to go away?

Re: What is this?

I'd call the ped, it could be a milk allergy.

Re: What is this?

My dd had this exactly the same way when she was a couple of months old. It was seborrheic dermatitis ( basically it was a form of cradle cap that spreads to her face). I treated with hydro cortisone and washing her hair with dandruff shampoo as per her ped's instructions. It went away almost immediately.

Re: What is this?

Yes, our son has it. The dr is calling it cradle cap. He has it on his head and his forhead. It comes and it goes. He also has exzema on his back and his leg although it got better when we switched formula. It mostly cleared up from his back and leg but he still has it all on his forhead and some on his head.
We just keep him lotioned up often and the dr told us to wash him in something specific. I think its some Aquafor wash.(its upstairs, I can check the label if you want.) Anyway, the weird thing is one day his face looks great, the next day he is covered in red blotches and bumps.I heard they outgrow the cradle cap by 6 months. It obviously is very itchy because my poor son is always scratching at his head.
Are you using a milk based formula? The dr made us switch because the exzema was so bad. Now he has severe diaper rash with cuts which I believe came once we started the Nutramigen.

Re: What is this?

sounds like eczema.

DS just went thru this. i thought it was baby acne but then it was all over his face and turned red. got worst when he's crying. went to the doctor and she prescribed a low dose of steroid cream. used it for a few days and all the redness arel gone and the little bumps are almostl gone too. Definitely call your ped. it's very uncomfortable for the baby since it's itchy. i started using the cream since monday and he was much better by wednesday.

Message edited 3/2/2008 1:15:51 PM.

Re: What is this?

Re: What is this?

Definitely call your doctor. Sounds like cradle cap on the scalp and ears, but I am not so sure about the red bumps.

Re: What is this?

How old is she?

If she's a newborn, it sounds like normal cradle cap & baby acne to me. Their skin takes time to adjust to air & it freaks out a bit once they're out of the amniotic sac.

If she seems bothered by it, I would call the ped asap. No temp, right?

Re: What is this?

we went through that, dr said it was acne, but I knew it had to be more.

he had a milk/soy protein allergy. I was bfing, I cut both out of my diet and he was cleared up by day 4.

Go a few days without milk or soy and see what happens.

Is it behind your baby's ears? Anytime I ate a soy product, behind his ears was the first flare up.

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DS went through that and even though he is a September baby, it turned out to be prickly heat/heat rash.

Re: What is this?

she's one month old. hopefully i can get an appointment for tomorrow. thanks girls for all your help!

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When you press on the red dots does it fad a little then come back?

If so, then it is probably a heat rash. It goes away by itself. If not, then i would call the Ped.

The flakes are cradle cap

Re: What is this?

My DD had this on her scalp, eyebrows and behind her ears. Ped. told me to use selsun blue for her eyebrows, but be very careful not to get it in the eyes.

Re: What is this?

Re: What is this?

Posted by KateDevine

I'd call the ped, it could be a milk allergy.