There is nothing more precious than your baby and their happiness. So, when your child isn’t feeling their best, you want to do everything you can to make them more comfortable.
As we all have learned, our health is a number one priority for our families. But often, a baby will develop allergies that result in symptoms that can lead to crying, sleeplessness, and even pain.
In fact, allergic diseases among youngsters have increased significantly in recent years. Allergies now affect up to 35 percent of children. And one of the most common ailments that parents report is baby skin allergies.
What is a Skin Allergy?
Allergies are problems of the immune system. Most allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to a “false alarm.”
In other words, an allergy occurs when is your baby’s body has an adverse or overreaction to a substance that they come in contact with, or that is present in the environment. It may be something as simple as soap, pollen, fragrances, or an insect bite, although it’s easy to confuse the condition with asthma.
Since all babies have sensitive skin, they are more likely than adults to develop an allergy. Even a slight irritation to an infant’s skin may be enough to trigger an adverse physical reaction.
What Happens When Your Baby Has a Skin Allergy?
If your child comes in contact with an allergen, your young one may develop skin rashes or irritations. It may also result in a condition called atopic dermatitis. Known as eczema, it is an urgent care symptom in children and creates red, itchy, scaly, bumpy, and even swollen skin.
In more severe cases, babies can also develop hives as a result of a skin allergy. Hives are raised welts that may cause a stinging or burning sensation for your child. You should rush your baby to the emergency room and call 911 in severe cases where they cannot breathe or have a swollen face.
It is no wonder that a baby skin allergy can make your child miserable and be tough on you, too!
Baby Skin Allergy Home Remedies
Although many rashes disappear within a few hours, the symptoms of an allergic reaction can cause your baby extreme discomfort and unpleasant side effects.
Here are some natural home remedies that can help with the discomfort of allergic symptoms.
Soothing Oatmeal
If you’ve heard that oatmeal can do more than just provide a healthy breakfast, you’re correct! Studies have shown that oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can repair the skin barrier, help skin heal, and keep increase moisture.
You can rely on the scientific research that demonstrates an oatmeal bath can soothe the affected area and help calm your baby’s allergic skin condition. Just be sure to use lukewarm water since too hot a bath may increase the problem.
Avoid the Trigger
Once you know what is causing your child’s skin allergy, you can develop a plan to reduce the chance of coming in contact with the allergen. For example, if your baby is allergic to dogs, they should avoid petting them (easier said than done with a curious child). If they are allergic to grass, they should be encouraged to wear long pants and socks outside.
If you find your baby is allergic to pollen, the best strategy is to stay indoors when the pollen count is high. Since that is difficult to accomplish with babies and infants, you may have to illuminate the pollen as much as possible when you return indoors.
We recommend taking your baby to see an in-person or online pediatrician for allergy testing if you’re not sure what their triggers are. That way, you’ll have the knowledge you need to prevent skin allergies before they show up.
Washing and Cleaning
Soaps, detergents, and scented lotions can often irritate a baby’s skin. In these cases, avoid using chemical cleaners and choose hypoallergenic products instead. Also, you will want to avoid rubbing your baby’s skin too hard after bath time, as you could be irritating the skin.
Applying a moisturizer
Using a hypoallergenic moisturizer as a rash treatment after your baby’s bath will protect the skin. Moisturizers help prevent dry skin and also provide a barrier from irritants for your infant.
One of the best moisturizers to calm your baby’s skin is coconut oil. All-natural coconut oil has been proven to heal skin in children, and may even help with diaper rash.
Over-The-Counter Creams
Antihistamine creams and lotions that are available at drug stores will help reduce the itchiness that comes with your child’s skin allergy. A low-dose topical hydrocortisone cream can help treat many skin rashes like eczema.
Although it is usually safe to use for infants for short periods, always speak to their pediatrician first. They can conduct an office or online visit and let you know based on your child’s medical history whether the cream would be beneficial.
Expert Care for Baby Skin Allergies
If you suspect that your baby has a skin allergy and you are concerned and want additional information and support, contact an experienced pediatrician immediately. Our online doctors will help treat your child when they need it with on-demand appointment scheduling 24/7.
We provide affordable treatment and help you and your child deal with the frustrating symptoms. Based on your baby’s issues, medical history, and allergy tests, one of our virtual pediatricians will diagnose your child’s condition. Then, they will work with you and prescribe the best treatment plan for your child to help restore their health.
Call us at 888-961-8885, and we would be glad to answer your questions about your baby’s skin allergy symptoms or tell you more about our $0 visit costs.
