Most of the time, baby skin is prone to itch, irritation and inflammation. Apart from the reason that a baby's skin is very young, a baby's immune system is also developing and adapting to the outside world. Babies and toddlers are prone to contracting skin ailments or conditions like:
Diaper rash, which is mostly caused by prolonged wetness of a dirty nappy, or added chemicals in the diaper material itself. Most babies get diaper rash when their nappies are not changed frequently.
Skin rash, which appear like a cluster of small bumps or pimples, are caused by many factors which might be internal or external. Internal factors include milk allergy, over-sweating, eczema, and other auto-immune diseases. External factors range from dust mite allergy, heat, insect bites, sensitivity to certain types of clothing and detergents, and even prolonged exposure to sun. Alcohol and strong perfumes can also cause rashes in some babies. Rash caused by heat is often called heat rash.
Skin redness or inflammation, which can also be blamed to factors that also cause skin rash. Skin rash and redness often go hand in hand. Babies are also extra-prone to having their skin folds rub or stick together, which causes redness and sometimes even scarring. The skin folds in the neck, chin and nape are most especially vulnerable to friction.
Fungal infections like ringworm, yeast infections or candidiasis, and other tinea infections can easily afflict babies and children, especially if they come into contact with infected people or those with unsanitary hygiene, or if the household keeps pets. They can also contract it through unclean towels and moist clothing and beddings.
Is there an all-around cream for rashes and redness?
Before Ayu was born, I made sure to find a rash cream that can alleviate rash and inflammation. I mostly hanged out in a mommy group in Facebook, but I found that there are many dubious and superstitious recommendations in the
comments. Petroleum jelly, calamine lotion, hydrocortisone creams, and some brands of baby powder that claim to prevent rash are also common recommendations.
Having read credible medical sites and inquired my Aunt, Dr. Melinda Layug, who is currently Physician on Duty, HD Unit in Jose C. Payumo Jr. Memorial Hospital in Dinalupihan, Bataan, I found out that there are downsides in using some touted skin remedies or applying common practices that are mostly taught to us by the elders. There are also good recommendations that mostly work. Read on to find out more about these recommendations:
The Good Recommendations
Petroleum jelly, which is a mix of waxes and mineral oils, is a dermatologically-safe by-product of petroleum refinery. Petroleum jelly works by creating a protective barrier that can seal against external irritants and moisture. On top of this, of course, is that it is also affordable, and a jar can be used for months. Most pediatricians approve the use of this household essential, but for serious cases of rash, this remedy might not work for some babies.
Calamine lotion, another household mainstay that works for itchy rash, scrapes, burns and other types of skin irritation, is also safe for babies, and most pediatricians approve its use on baby's skin. Like petroleum jelly, it is also affordable, and a little amount of it can work wonders for the skin. Perhaps one of the downsides of using calamine lotion is its potential to dry out baby's skin, or possibly strip the body of its natural oils. If you are using calamine lotion and your baby has super dry skin, make sure to moisturize with a good baby cream or lotion after the skin has healed.
Reminder!
When using petroleum jelly and calamine lotion, make sure to keep or store them out of reach of babies and children. Always close the lid as well! They can come into contact or grasp of the baby, and you know how fast our little ones can put those cute hands in their adorable mouths!
The 'Think-Before-You-Get-or-Do' Recommendations
Baby powders, talcum-free or not (which covers organic ingredients like rice powder and cornstarch), are not recommended by most pediatricians. In fact, the American Association of Pediatrics advise against it. The fine powder can possibly be aspirated and cause lung ailments in babies and toddlers. Talcum, which is the most commonly used ingredient in baby powders, is a soft mineral often mined or found together with asbestos, another cancer-causing mineral. There are concerns that talc may contain miniscule amounts of asbestos. In New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson faced a lawsuit from four individuals who alleged that their cancers were caused by baby powder, and the court ordered the company to pay the plaintiffs a sum of $186 million. It is still unclear whether talc in baby powder causes cancers; however, talc has been classified as 'possibly carcinogenic' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a WHO-attached agency.
Hydrocortisone creams, which contain corticosteroids, should only be used upon the recommendation of a doctor. It is essentially a drug available in ointment or cream form. Some pediatricians advise not to use hydrocortisone on children below 10 years old unless a medically-diagnosed condition exists, like eczema, psoriasis, serious or multiple insect bites, and contact dermatitis. Mild hydrocortisone creams can sometimes be bought over-the-counter. Strong hydrocortisone creams, however, require prescription. If someone recommends to you to use a hydrocortisone cream for your baby, please consult a doctor first. Consider treating minor rashes with mild ointments first, as most minor skin conditions can be alleviated with petroleum jelly, calamine lotion and other mild emollient creams. It is also not advisable to use hydrocortisone creams for longer than a week as there are risks of possible systemic side effects as the drug can travel in the bloodstream via skin absorption.
Herbal remedies like aloe, guava leaves and other herbs, might do more harm than good, as there are also other naturally-occurring substances in these herbs that might cause allergies and toxic effects. Some plants also absorb heavy metals like lead and mercury. Using herbal preparations may introduce toxins to baby's skin, or when used together or concurrently with other medications, herbal treatments may also present adverse interactions and side-effects.
As it happens, there's possibly no absolute all-around ointment or cream for baby skin that alleviates most skin conditions. Even mainstays like petroleum jelly and calamine lotion might not work for some babies. It is also important to note that serious skin conditions should be medically examined and diagnosed by a doctor first before applying any product, medication or treatment.
My Go-to Rash Ointment for Alexa: Mustela Cicastela Moisture Recovery Cream
Perhaps this is one of the most expensive baby rash creams in the market, in addition to those creams sold by brands like Aveeno, Aquaphor, Cetaphil, Oilatum, Drapolene, and Burt's Bees. (I have yet to try other brands!)
Mustela claims that this cream is:
The "best line of defense against common skin concerns including extreme dryness and sensitivity."
Able to "deliver soothing relief from head-to-toe."
Able to "work to relieve skin discomfort by delivering cooling hydration."
The brand also prides that their products are made with naturally-derived ingredients, like avocado extract and plant-derived hyaluronic acid. I used to apply hyaluronic acid serum before, and I do love how it leaves my skin well-hydrated and supple-looking, so I did wonder if this will do the same to Alexa. As it turns out, well, yes!
How we use it:
I have been using Cicastela cream on Alexa since birth. I apply it to almost every minor skin irritation that she has experienced, like minor skin rashes, redness, inflammation, and skin peeling and dryness. Almost all the time, this cream actually works. I think spending bucks for this product is worth it. A little dab of this wonder cream goes a long way.
When Ayu was born, she had skin peeling in her hands and feet, probably due to rapid skin healing and renewal. On her Day One, I applied this cream liberally on her tiny hands and feet, and I was amazed that for hours, her skin stayed supple and moisturized, and the peeling came off little by little without drying her skin. I reapplied it day after day, until her skin renewed completely.
I also use it for alleviating the redness and itching when pesky mosquitoes bite her arms and legs. Though most of the time, the tiny bites leave dark scar marks, the redness and inflammation goes away a few hours after applying this ointment. She also stops scratching her legs after application of this product.
What I also love about this cream is that it also helps in skin healing and recovery. Ayu's neck is also prone to redness (sometimes, her skin in her neck and nape area can get inflamed) due to natural chubbiness which results to friction of the skin folds, and also because of heat and sweating. I see that there are also many moms in groups often posting about this skin condition in babies, especially if they have chubby little ones. My go-to remedy is Cicastela, applying it once or twice a day on the skin folds of her neck and nape. The next morning, the skin is back to normal again and the redness is gone. Some mothers apply baby powder in their babies' necks and skin folds to reduce friction, but this is too risky for babies as they can inhale the fine powders.
My Advice
As I am too happy with this product, having tested a little on myself for an episode of itchiness due to allergies (and it worked, but I won't use it anymore on myself because this pricey cream is reserved for Ayu!), I am not sure if I will actually try another rash cream on Ayu. Mustela's Cicastela Moisture Recovery Cream is First-Time Mom (FTM) approved, and even for a regular price of P730 per 40 ml tube, this multi-purpose cream is so, so worth it.
Do you have any product recommendations for baby rash? Comment below and share your experiences!
If you want to request a product review, please let me know by commenting below or sending an email at ftmom.ph@gmail.com. (Don't worry, I don't charge fees!)
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