Sweating in a newborn baby on the face and neck: differences and what to ointment with

Prickly heat in a newborn is the appearance of small inflammatory elements on the child's skin, which cause concern for parents. These spots can form on any part of the child's skin, most often in places of natural folds. The condition does not pose a potential threat to the baby's life, but complications may arise if not properly cared for.

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Epidemiology

Statistics of heat rash in newborns show that it is more common in girls, which is difficult to explain by objective reasons. In the summer, the pathology is more common precisely because of external conditions. The frequency of complications is about 1 percent of all cases, which indicates the safety of this pathology. But speaking about the statistics of general prevalence, it should be noted that every third child has a similar problem.

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Causes newborn sweats

When talking about any diseases in newborn babies, you need to know that their body is special, so all diseases develop a little differently. This is due to the fact that the structure of the organs and tissues of the newborn's body is different from that of an adult. This also applies to the structure of the skin with its appendages. In the mother's tummy, the baby's skin and glands are in the amniotic fluid, so the structure and functioning of the skin and its appendages is different. Sweat and sebaceous glands are not fully developed due to the lack of need for their function. Therefore, their active development and functioning occurs after the birth of the child. When talking about prickly heat, you need to understand that we are talking about the pathology of the sweat glands. Their work is regulated by the nerve endings of the skin. When the body temperature rises, there is a need to release excess heat, to which the sweat glands react. But they do not have such a branched structure as at an older age. They are just beginning to actively develop, and, being deep in the dermis, there may be a slight blockage of these glands. And the process of heat emission through the glands continues, so they begin to become even more clogged with further inflammation. This is what is called prickly heat. Therefore, one of the so-called causes of prickly heat can be considered the peculiarities of the structure of the skin of a newborn child.

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Risk factors

Risk factors for the development of prickly heat should be taken into account to prevent such conditions. Such factors include, first of all, prematurity. Such babies have very thin skin, and their glands are generally poorly developed, so any overheating can cause prickly heat with further complications. Risk factors for the development of prickly heat also include improper hygienic care of the baby's skin, summer, when the external temperature rises and sweating increases.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of prickly heat with a greater tendency to this pathology of newborns is also associated with the peculiarities of thermoregulation. A child in the first month of life has insufficient thermoregulation. This is due to the fact that the thermoregulation center in the brain has an insufficient number of neural connections, so not all heat regulation processes are perfect. Any overheating of a newborn due to insufficient function of the sweat glands can cause a violation of their function. Bacteria that are on the surface of the skin of a newborn can get into the clogged sweat glands and cause a superficial inflammatory process. This is the basis for the development of prickly heat in children.

Speaking about the causes of prickly heat, it is necessary to note one of the common reasons - excessive wrapping of the child. Often parents, trying to prevent the child from cooling down, overdress him, so the child sweats a lot. And with a warm blanket, the sweating process is even more disrupted, and in places of natural folds or in places of contact with clothes, characteristic pimples are formed. It often happens that in the summer, putting a diaper on a child also disrupts the process of normal sweating. Therefore, the skin does not have the ability to "breathe", which increases the manifestation of thermoregulation disorders. In this place, the first signs of prickly heat most often appear.

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Symptoms newborn sweats

The first signs of prickly heat appear within a few hours after potential overheating of the child. What does prickly heat look like in a newborn? It all depends on the form of manifestation of the pathology. Most often, red prickly heat occurs in babies. Its symptoms are characterized by the appearance of a rash of various localizations on the baby's skin. This rash is bright red and spreads to large areas of the skin. The size of this rash is small, about two millimeters, so on the skin it looks like small red dots. The general background of the skin and its color are not changed, so the red dots on the baby's white skin are important for differential diagnostics.

There is another type of miliaria in newborns - crystalline. This type is less common. The elements of the rash are slightly different and look like small white or transparent dots. They have a characteristic localization, but their appearance should not exclude the possibility of miliaria.

Localization of prickly heat according to classical concepts is places of natural folds, where the baby's skin is most susceptible to friction from clothing. But this is not always the case. After all, the child sweats completely, as well as in other areas. Prickly heat on the face of a newborn is also often a problem. Then prickly heat often appears on the cheeks, which often indicates the baby's tendency to exudative phenomena. Such prickly heat can be easily noticed, but in terms of differential diagnostics there may be many questions.

Prickly heat in newborns on the neck is very common, since the baby's neck is small and up to two months the baby does not hold up its head. Therefore, movements in this area are limited, and the skin folds, especially in plump babies, are very dense. This is a risk factor for increased sweating in this area. And although the baby's clothing does not contribute to compression in this area, nevertheless, the skin here is very thin and easily irritated.

Naturally, prickly heat is most often localized in places of closest contact with clothing. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that a newborn baby is constantly lying down, and if he moves his arms more actively, then his legs are slightly limited in their movements. This can be an additional factor in the disruption of blood circulation and skin nutrition. Therefore, prickly heat on the bottom of newborns and in the groin is most common. This place is also more often exposed to additional influence due to the constant use of diapers. In the twenty-first century, the use of diapers is very common, which allows parents to raise children almost carefree. But you should not think only about your own comfort, you must also remember about the child. The structure of the diaper is such that the absorbent layer allows liquid to pass through and accumulates it, not allowing air to pass through. And thus a vacuum effect is created in which the baby's skin is constantly and does not breathe at all. This plays a huge role, since the process of normal metabolic processes in the skin, lymph drainage and blood circulation is disrupted. Therefore, it is in these places of diaper friction and disruption of normal skin breathing that elements of prickly heat appear.

A newborn baby may also have heat rash in the armpit area, as this is where the greatest number of sweat glands are concentrated. Although the sweat glands in this area are not fully developed in a newborn, excessive overheating of the baby can cause heat rash in this area due to additional compression by clothing.

The most important thing in the clinic of prickly heat in newborn babies is that it is not a serious disease. Manifestations of prickly heat on the skin are not accompanied by any other symptoms or disruption of the general condition of the child. In the normal course of the disease, there is no increase in body temperature, the child eats well and is active. The appearance of any signs of disruption of the condition may indicate the emergence of complications.

Thus, the symptoms of prickly heat in a newborn are characterized only by skin manifestations, which can be localized in different places. The appearance of other symptoms may indicate another pathology and it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis.

Complications and consequences

Severe prickly heat in a newborn, which does not have adequate care and treatment, can have very serious consequences. The most common complication is infected prickly heat. This occurs with improper care, when there is maceration of the affected skin and defects can form. This can lead to infection of the rash elements themselves with the formation of inflammatory fluid in them and the development of prickly heat with pustules. This requires a different approach to treatment, so it is important to begin timely prevention of complications. With deeper skin defects, microorganisms quickly spread deeper and from there infect tissues. This leads to a pronounced and rapid inflammatory reaction of the entire skin, which threatens sepsis in the newborn. A pronounced inflammatory reaction entails intoxication and the rapid development of toxic shock. This is the most serious complication, given that the baby's skin, if improperly cared for, can be a serious source of infection.

How long does prickly heat last in a newborn? Under normal conditions and with good care of the child, after a week only isolated elements should remain. If after two weeks the prickly heat does not go away, you should already think about either complications or improper care of the baby.

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Diagnostics newborn sweats

The principles of diagnosing any pathology in a newborn should be based on the concept of the least interference in the child's body. In the case of prickly heat, all symptoms are visible on the skin, and an experienced doctor can accurately diagnose. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor when any symptoms appear, who can not only accurately diagnose, but also tell about treatment.

The characteristic appearance of the rash and its localization in the area of skin folds in case of prickly heat may suggest this pathology. An important diagnostic sign is the normal condition of the child without general disorders. Any increase in the child's body temperature or refusal to eat may indicate either the appearance of complications or another pathology.

There is no need to routinely take any tests for prickly heat, since they are uninformative. Only when complications arise in the form of infection of the rash elements, changes in the tests are possible. Even then, there is a need for a blood test to exclude inflammatory changes. Instrumental diagnostics are also inappropriate, since there are no reasons for it.

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Differential diagnosis

It is very important to conduct differential diagnostics, since prickly heat can also be on the baby's cheeks. Then there is a possibility that it could be an allergic rash, since it is on the cheeks that allergies first appear in newborns. When breastfeeding, it is very important how the mother eats. Therefore, if the mother ate something, there may be allergic reactions on the cheeks. This is manifested by the appearance of a rash of a similar red color on the cheeks. It looks similar to a rash with prickly heat, but the elements can be of different sizes and be accompanied by dry skin. How can you distinguish an allergy from prickly heat in a newborn?

Allergy, in addition to peeling skin, is accompanied by severe itching, so the child will try to touch the cheeks and this can cause anxiety. During examination, you can notice that the allergic rash is uneven against the background of dry skin and it disappears when pressed. You can also consider the issue of diathesis in terms of differential diagnostics. Today, the concept of "diathesis" no longer exists. But the general concepts that are contained in this term are not so outdated. The concept of diathesis is the appearance of changes in the child's skin, which are characterized by the appearance of weeping elements. These elements can merge and then we are talking about diaper rash. Diathesis or prickly heat in newborns differ precisely in the nature of the rash. With diathesis, the child is more prone to the formation of blisters, he is paratrophic and prone to frequent diaper rash. Simple prickly heat can also be in such a child, then it has a greater tendency to exudation. Therefore, approaches to the treatment of such a child are different. It is important to remember this even at the stage of preliminary diagnostics and collection of anamnestic data.

It is also necessary to conduct differential diagnostics between prickly heat and skin diaper rash, especially if the localization of the process is in places of natural folds. Prickly heat is a process of appearance of only small pimples that do not get wet and do not tend to merge. Diaper rash most often occurs in the groin of a child with improper care and untimely change of diapers. They are characterized by bright red skin, which is wet to the touch and with the appearance of rash elements filled with liquid. Such elements can merge and form erosions, which is an additional source of infection. This disrupts the child's condition, which is not typical for simple prickly heat.

It is very important for parents to have an understanding of the differential diagnosis of prickly heat, which does not pose a serious threat to the child, and other staphylococcal skin infections.

Vesiculopustulosis is an infectious skin lesion characterized by the appearance of blisters with white or cloudy liquid on the skin of the buttocks, thighs, and in places of natural folds. This is a serious infectious skin lesion that threatens the life of the baby, so if a mother sees such symptoms, it is important to immediately consult a doctor, without relying on the fact that it is prickly heat.

In any case, the newborn should be examined by a doctor who will accurately establish a diagnosis and determine the need for other diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

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Treatment newborn sweats

Considering the fact that prickly heat is a skin pathology associated with the peculiarities of caring for a child and overheating, the infant's skin care regimen is very important in treatment. Correct hygiene measures are half the success in treating prickly heat and 100% prevention of complications. Therefore, mothers should know how to bathe a child and care for him after and during bathing.

Firstly, the temperature and humidity in the newborn's room are very important, because overheating is the main factor in the development of prickly heat. The temperature in the room where the child sleeps and is should be within 20-22 degrees, and the humidity 40-60. These are the optimal temperature conditions for normal sweating. The child can be in the room in no more than two layers of clothing, that is, it can be an open shirt and a blouse. There is no need to additionally dress the child if the body temperature is constant. In addition to the temperature, it is necessary to organize ventilation of the room. To do this, the child must be taken out of the room for fifteen minutes and the window opened. This is enough to ventilate the room without cooling the air. This is important for normal "breathing" of the skin and restoration of metabolic processes in the body.

The diaper changing regime is very important in the treatment of prickly heat. If symptoms appear in the groin area or on the buttocks, you should stop using diapers for a while. You should wash the baby after each bowel movement and change his romper, giving up diapers to improve the healing of pimples.

An equally important element of baby skin care when prickly heat appears is proper bathing. During this period, it is important that the bathing water is 36-37 degrees, do not overheat the baby or, on the contrary, cool it. After bathing, you need to thoroughly dry the skin, without excessive friction in the area of prickly heat. The use of different products after or during bathing should be discussed with a doctor. Do not swaddle the baby tightly or put on warm clothes immediately after bathing, you need to wait until the baby cools down after bathing and only after a few minutes put on his usual clothes. The baby does not require additional dressing after bathing, as this can cause sweating disorders.

It should be remembered that the temperature regime of a baby is not much different from that of adults, and in case of walks outside, a child needs to be dressed in one more sweater than an adult. This prevents overheating and the child does not sweat, which not only causes the appearance of prickly heat in the future, but also causes cooling after such overheating.

Medicines used in the treatment of prickly heat should be applied locally, since no systemic changes occur in the child's body. Ointments for prickly heat in newborns are used most often, since they contribute to the drying effect and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. There are many creams and ointments for children intended for the treatment of prickly heat.

1. Bepanten is a cream that contains panthenol and chlorhexidine. This composition of the drug has not only a healing effect, but also an antibacterial one. Chlorhexidine is an active antiseptic that is effective against staphylococci. These bacteria are the most common causative agent of skin infectious inflammations in newborns, so the use of the drug prevents complications of prickly heat and the activation of pathogenic flora. Panthenol, when acting on the skin, releases pantothenic acid, which, when activated, acts like a vitamin and restores the structure of damaged skin cells. This helps to normalize the metabolism in the cells of the epidermis and gradually the rash regresses due to the restoration of cell membranes. How to use - apply a thin layer of cream to the affected areas of the skin. The dosage should not exceed five grams per day. Side effects can be in the form of blisters or, with a larger area of use, respiratory or cardiovascular disorders.
2. Chlorophyllipt is a substance that is a natural antiseptic. It is especially effective against staphylococci, which are not sensitive to antibiotics. Therefore, the use of this drug in newborns is not recommended as a means of initial therapy. It is better to use it in complicated cases and risk of infection. It is very important that the solution has a significant alcohol content, so it is better to use tablets in newborns, dissolving them in boiled water. In addition to the antiseptic effect, the drug dries the skin, so it should be used with caution to treat newborns. The method of application of the drug is external, but you cannot use a large amount due to the risk of burns due to the alcohol content. Before using the drug, it is recommended to conduct an allergy test on unaffected areas of the skin. Side effects in addition to allergies can manifest themselves as minor burns.
3. Sudocrem is a topical skin care product that can be used to treat prickly heat and prevent infection. The product contains paraffin, zinc oxide, oils and acids. This composition promotes the healing of rashes during maceration and external compression by clothing. Due to the zinc oxide content, the product dries the skin and forms a waterproof film that protects all layers of the skin from further damage and the effects of overheating. How to use the product - it is necessary to apply a thin layer so that the film does not contribute to severe overdrying of the skin. Dosage - it is recommended to use in the morning once a day. Precautions - avoid contact with mucous membranes.
4. Zinc ointment for prickly heat in newborns can also be used, especially in the period of pronounced exudation or in a child with diathesis. It has the ability to reduce exudation by reducing the amount of fluid in the cells and interstitium. This helps dry the skin without significantly narrowing the pores, so the skin can still breathe. In the same way, zinc affects bacterial cells, depriving them of water. Therefore, the ointment has an antiseptic effect, which helps prevent complications. How to use the ointment - you need to lubricate the areas with a rash with a small thin film. Considering that the ointment has a very dense consistency, you need to use it only once a day, mainly on areas with the most pronounced exudative component. Side effects can be a feeling of tightness of the skin and dryness, which can manifest itself in its peeling.
5. D Panthenol is an ointment that is widely used for the initial manifestations of prickly heat in newborns. The main active ingredient of the drug when activated directly on the skin is pantothenic acid. This acid helps to normalize the water balance in the cell and improves regeneration processes. The method of application of the drug is external. The drug is applied to the skin and wait until it is absorbed, only then can you put light clothing on the child. Any skin care products are best applied after an evening bath, cleansing the skin. Precautions - you need to monitor the skin condition for the possibility of allergic reactions.
6. Baneocin is an external application in the form of an ointment, which includes the antibacterial drugs bacitracin and neomycin. These are antibiotics that are most active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative flora. Given the fact that both drugs are antibiotics, their use for newborns is strictly limited. The drug can be used only in the presence of an infection that complicates the course of prickly heat. The drug should be used twice a day. The dosage should not exceed more than one gram of ointment for a newborn at a time. Side effects can be in the form of local irritation, since the baby's skin is quite thin, then the drug should be discontinued. Given the absorption into the bloodstream, although it is minimal, there may be dyspepsia in the child.

Fenistil is not used for prickly heat in newborns, since this drug has antiallergic properties. This gel can only be used in case of confirmed allergy as prescribed by a doctor.

Furacilin for prickly heat in newborns can also be used quite widely. This is a drug from the group of aniline dyes, which has antiseptic properties and can be used to treat prickly heat as a starting therapy. You can use the solution by lubricating the affected areas, but not more than five percent of the child's body. There is no need to use it several times a day, just once is enough for effective treatment.

Powder for prickly heat of a newborn is used very often, especially if there is a need for frequent use before using diapers. Using powder reduces rashes and sweating, which contributes to a faster recovery. In the future, the use of powder is possible for preventive purposes on a daily basis.

Vitamins can be used by the mother when breastfeeding the child. The best source of vitamins and the greatest benefit for a newborn child can be considered a balanced diet with sufficient amounts of vitamins in food. This improves the general condition of the child and normalizes metabolic processes in the skin.

Physiotherapy treatment is not used for newborn babies.

Folk remedies for prickly heat

Traditional methods of treatment mainly consist of using various products when bathing a child or infusions for wiping the skin.

1. When bathing, adding potassium permanganate to the water gives a good effect. It has an antiseptic effect and prevents the proliferation of pathogenic flora. For a weak solution, take one gram of powder per liter of water and dilute, then add this solution to the bathing water. The water should have a slightly noticeable pink tint. It is important to remember that such water should not get on the mucous membranes and in the eyes.
2. The use of succession and chamomile for prickly heat in newborns has a very positive effect, since these herbs are able to normalize the function of the epidermis, improve the protective barrier of the skin. They have an antiseptic effect and improve the trophism of the epidermis, which contributes to better cleansing and activation of local immune forces. To use, you need to make a bath of these herbs for the child. To do this, you need to boil water for bathing and separately steam the herbs in the amount of two bags of each herb per five liters of water for bathing. You can also add oak bark to such a herbal infusion.
3. The skin areas where prickly heat has appeared can be lubricated with an aloe solution. To do this, squeeze the juice from an aloe leaf and dilute it in half with boiled water. The affected areas can be lubricated two or three times a day. Aloe, thanks to its antiseptic and wound-healing effect, eliminates symptoms after just a few days of use.

The use of herbs in the treatment of prickly heat is possible in the form of infusions, which can be used to wash a child with prickly heat in the groin or on the buttocks, or you can lubricate the affected areas of the skin with such infusions.

1. Bay leaf can be used as an antiseptic against prickly heat in newborns. To do this, take three bay leaves and steam them in a liter of water. Use the infusion for bathing or washing the child, avoiding the skin of the face, since the strong smell can cause refusal to play.
2. A decoction of St. John's wort and plantain has high antiseptic activity. This infusion has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps dry out the skin when it is red and exuding. To make the decoction, take 20 grams of each herb and make an infusion. You can lubricate exposed areas of the body several times a day.
3. Mom can drink tea from the yarrow herb, which improves metabolism and normalizes trophic processes of the skin. With milk, the effect of the herb can also be in the baby in the form of an antiseptic and trophic effect. For tea, you need to use five grams of the herb per two hundred milliliters of boiled water. You need to drink tea twice a day.

Homeopathy in the treatment of prickly heat can be used in children both in the acute period and later for prevention in children with a tendency to such reactions.

1. Antimonium crudum is an organic homeopathic preparation, which includes herbs. It is used to treat prickly heat in children who are prone to skin problems from birth in the form of erythema or prolonged jaundice. The method of administration of the drug is oral in the form of granules for mother's use. Dosage - one granule five times a day. It is recommended to use a dilution of no more than one to six. Side effects are possible in the form of increased salivation and nausea.
2. Dulcamara is a homeopathic remedy of natural plant origin, which is recommended for use specifically for newborns born to mothers with hormonal disorders. This plant is primarily a systemic remedy for normalizing the level of metabolism and treating prickly heat against the background of manifestations of the sexual crisis in a child. The method of using the drug is for the mother in the form of drops, dissolving them in clean water. Dosage - three drops per fifty grams of water. Side effects can be in the form of increased pressure, tachycardia, insomnia. Stool disorders in the form of diarrhea are often observed. Precautions - cannot be used if there is an allergy to honey in the family.
3. Apis malifika is a homeopathic remedy of natural plant origin. The drug can be used to treat prickly heat, which has a protracted but uncomplicated nature with pronounced bright red pimples. The drug is especially effective in the treatment of prickly heat in the sixth dilution. The method of using the drug is the use of a homeopathic solution in ampoules, dissolving them in clean water. Dosage - five drops per glass of water for the mother, and for the child, one drop should be dissolved in a glass of warm boiled water, then you need to wipe the face and areas with localization of the rash. Side effects can be in the form of insomnia in the mother or stool disorders with diarrhea in the child.
4. Urtica urens is a herbal homeopathic preparation based on nettle. The preparation is very effective in children with prickly heat, which is accompanied by red rashes that tend to merge, as well as with a burdened allergic history in the family. The method of administration of the drug is oral in the form of granules for mother's use. Dosage - one granule twice a day. Side effects are possible in the form of increased salivation and nausea. Precautions - do not use in combination with honey.

Any folk treatment for prickly heat can only be used after consultation with a doctor, which will allow you to maximally protect the child and not cause harm with such treatment.

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Prevention

Prevention of prickly heat is very simple and effective. For normal heat exchange, it is very important to have the right temperature in the child's room, skin care, daily bathing and frequent changing of the child if necessary. Do not overheat the child, because this is the main factor in the development of prickly heat.

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Forecast

The prognosis for prickly heat is favorable, because the disease is non-infectious and with simple methods of proper care you can achieve a complete recovery very quickly.

Prickly heat in a newborn is a more common occurrence than any other childhood problem. The pathology occurs due to overheating of the child's skin due to imperfect thermoregulation processes, and is easily treated if the course is normal. But proper care of the child is the main element in preventing such a pathology.