5 Common Causes Of Irritated Skin In Babies And How To Treat Them

If there’s one thing that alarms many parents, it’s seeing their babies experience irritated skin. That’s because this is usually accompanied by lots of itching, a rash, or general discomfort.

While it may not look pretty, skin irritations are usually nothing to worry about, and there are simple ways to treat them at home (and even prevent them).

In this article, we’ll help you understand what irritated skin looks like, the common causes of it, and most importantly, how to treat it. We’ll also look into special cases where you may need to call your child’s healthcare provider.

Let’s dive in.

What Do We Mean By “Irritated Skin?”

Little ones have new skin, and this skin is often susceptible to different sources of infection or irritation.

Here’s a closer look at some of the common symptoms of irritated baby skin:

Rash
Swelling
Itchy and sometimes painful skin
Pimples

It’s important to note that these symptoms may present in one area or different areas of the skin. For example, if your baby has a diaper rash, they may not only have the rash on their buttocks but also on their thighs and genitals.

As a parent, when you become aware of your child’s rash, swollen skin, or any of the symptoms we mentioned above, it’s natural to want to treat it right away.

Before we get to some of the most effective measures you can take at home, it’s important to talk about what’s causing this irritation in the first place so that you understand how best to avoid it in the future.

5 Common Causes Of Irritated Skin

1) Heat

Since many babies have adorable rolls and healthy, chubby bellies, it can be easy for them to develop a heat rash, especially in warmer climates. This heat rash usually occurs on the folds of your little one’s skin because their sweat glands are blocked in those areas.

Here are a few measures you can take to treat the heat rash.

Cool their skin down with a cool washcloth
Only dress them in loose-fitting clothing

A heat rash is very common and, after treatment, should go away in about two to three days.

2) Chemicals

Unfortunately, not all baby products on the market are completely safe. The reality is that many products contain harmful chemicals that can easily irritate your little one’s skin.

If your child has recently gotten a rash, this may be due to a new product that you’ve introduced. Have you bought new wipes? Are you trying out a different detergent or fabric softener? How about a different baby lotion?

Take note of these things to identify any problems and know the chemicals from these products may be irritating your baby’s sensitive skin.

At Babo Botanicals, we offer a range of plant-based, all-natural products specifically designed for sensitive baby skin. Don’t worry; we’ll focus on some of the products that can be really helpful shortly.

3) Friction

As soon as there’s any chafing or friction on delicate baby skin, irritation can occur and lead to a rash. The common culprits for this are tight-fitting clothing or diapers that rub against your little one’s skin.

The easiest way to prevent this irritation is to focus on the area that has developed a rash (or any other symptom of skin irritation). You may need to change their clothing, offer more frequent diaper changes, or have a closer look at the lotions and products you use.

4) Dampness

This point on our list is closely related to one of the above-mentioned common causes of irritated skin — heat.

We’ve already highlighted how easy it is for babies to sweat and then get a heat rash. Now, we want to focus on a more challenging area — the diaper area — which can also gather a lot of heat because it’s often enclosed.

It’s no surprise that diaper rashes are so common. Our baby’s diapers have the task of holding a lot of warmth and moisture from urine and stools. Unfortunately, these can be acidic and irritate a child’s sensitive skin.

It’s challenging to avoid dampness altogether in the diaper area. However, a few measures can help reduce or completely prevent a rash or irritation to the skin.

You can:

Frequently change diapers
Use the right diaper cream (more on this shortly)
Wash your hands before and after changing your baby so that the rash doesn’t become infected
Use natural, soft wipes that don’t contain alcohol or other harmful chemicals.

5) Allergies

Allergies can easily cause skin irritation in babies (and adults), so it’s no surprise that this one made it onto our list.

While your baby’s diet may be limited right now, if you’re breastfeeding, you might be consuming some foods that your child is allergic to. Peanuts and cow’s milk are common culprits, as well as eggs and other fruits.

If you suspect that your baby has an allergy, the best way to handle this is to consult their doctor so that the necessary tests and diagnosis can take place.

How Can You Treat Irritated Skin?

Now that you’re aware of the common causes of irritated skin, what can you do about it?

For one, changing to plant-based, natural products can make a huge difference. As mentioned, harsh chemicals are often the culprits in causing rashes, inflammation, and other skin irritations.

Here’s a closer look at a few Babo Botanicals products that can help soothe your little one’s irritated skin.

Sensitive Baby Diaper Cream

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Zinc Diaper Cream contains certified organic ingredients, including shea butter, rosemary extract, and seed butter.

If your little one often experiences diaper rashes, this will provide the right amount of protection by helping keep them dry while also keeping the area soft and supple.

One of the star ingredients here is the organic calendula, which helps soothe sensitive and delicate skin, while the organic shea and cocoa butter help calm irritation.

Sensitive Baby Daily Hydra Lotion

If your little one has dry, sensitive, irritated, or eczema-prone skin, then our Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Daily Hydra Lotion is the perfect solution!

We love this lotion for many reasons, including the fact that it’s made without high allergy nuts and helps minimize the risk of allergic reactions. It’s also free of gluten, soy, and dairy.

As parents, we want our baby’s skin to be hydrated, soft, and supple at all times. And the unique blend of natural ingredients in this lotion — including rich shea butter and jojoba oil — will help you achieve exactly that.

This lotion is ideal for daily use and should leave your little one’s skin feeling moisturized and cared for.

Sensitive Baby Shampoo And Wash

It can be challenging to find a baby wash and shampoo that not only cleanses but also moisturizes your baby’s skin. If that’s what you’ve been searching for, look no further!

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Shampoo & Wash will offer you this and so much more.

It’s specifically designed for children with extra-sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin. And the plant-based formula helps reduce common skin irritations and discomforts so that your little one’s skin can regain its softness.

Some of the star ingredients here include natural oat protein, coconut, shea butter, and cocoa butter. These all play a significant role in providing much-needed deep moisture to dry skin. The organic calendula can also help soothe and nourish your little one’s scalp and dry patches.

When To Worry

Skin rashes, pimples, and the like are often harmless to your baby. However, there are certain instances when you might need to seek professional advice.

Consult your baby’s healthcare provider immediately if:

A rash won’t go away
A rash they had in one area starts spreading
Your baby develops a fever

As long as you’re taking your little one to their regular checkups and their appetite hasn’t changed, any rashes or other skin irritations that may develop are often nothing serious.

Having said that, one of the most important things to remember is to trust your instincts. As parents, we know our babies best, so when something just doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to contact their healthcare provider to get some peace of mind.

Say Bye-Bye To Irritated Skin!

Most irritated skin is nothing to worry about and should go away on its own in a few days. But while it may be harmless, it can cause itchiness and general discomfort to your little one.

Thankfully, there are a few products you can use to help your child, like Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Zinc Diaper Cream, Sensitive Baby Daily Hydra Baby Lotion, and Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash.

These products are free of harmful chemicals, contain certified organic ingredients, and are made with your baby’s sensitive skin in mind. After a few uses, it will be bye-bye to skin rashes and hello to healthy, soft, and smooth skin!