Most skin conditions in babies are harmless and resolve spontaneously. Knowing how to distinguish rashes, spots and angiomas allows to intervene appropriately.
A large average of newborn babies suffers from skin surface conditions. Some of them are born with spots or angiomas, and others have eruptions over the months.
Most of the manifestations of the skin in babies are harmless and tend to disappear on their own. Want to know more about common baby rashes, spots, and angiomas? Keep reading!
Presence of angiomas in babies
Angiomas in babies, also called “hemangiomas,” are among the most common tumors. They appear at birth and, despite their rapid growth, tend to disappear over time. Fortunately, in most cases they are benign.
They appear as a spot or a small, deep red bump on the skin surface. In particular, they involve blood vessels and can come in various shapes and sizes.
An article published in 2018 details the identification of several factors that increase the risk of suffering them, including female sex, preterm birth and other prenatal complications.
What are the most common spots in babies?
Salmon spot
They can be multiple or single spots, pink in color and an irregular outline. When it is located on the back of the neck or nape, it is often called “stork peck”; meanwhile, if they are between the eyebrows, the eyelids, or the back of the nose, it is called “angel’s kiss.”
Studies conducted by Pediatric Dermatology showed that the most frequent sites were the nape, followed by the eyelids, nose, and upper lip.
Mongolian spot
The Mongolian spot is bluish-gray in color and is located in the most sacrococcygeal or lumbar area, although it can also be found on the head, the rest of the back or in any area. It happens due to an accumulation of melanocytes in the deep planes and in a fairly dispersed way. For this reason, they are wide spots without well-defined borders.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology states in a review that there should be no reason to worry as they resolve in early childhood. Furthermore, in most cases no treatment is required if they are located in the sacral area.
Port wine stains
Port wine stains are a congenital capillary vascular malformation, characterized by the presence of intense red stains, reminiscent of the appearance of wine. It is flat in surface and manifests itself mainly on the face.
It can cover a fairly large area, even an entire hemisphere of the face. It happens because the blood vessels in the area are wider than they should be. They accompany syndromes such as the following:
- Klippel-Trena nay.
- Parkes-Weber.
- Proteus.
- Pigment vascular phakomatosis.
- Sturge-Weber.
Nevus of Ito
The nevus of Ito is a benign dermal melanocytosis, with greater involvement in Asian populations. It presents a grayish, bluish or brownish coloration, without symptoms, in the upper thorax and in the acromioclavicular area.
An increase in size and progressive darkening can be observed, in most cases during puberty. Upon reaching adulthood, it remains stable, without showing any regression.
Typical rashes in babies
Cradle cap
Cradle cap, called infant seborrheic dermatitis, may be evident in limited areas. They form clusters that are attached to each other, or that cover the entire scalp. The affected areas may show some of the following signs:
- Yellowish or white scales that remain attached to the skin surface.
- Oily or oily skin areas, often covered with scales.
- Thick crusts or scales that are generated on the scalp, but also on the eyelashes, ears, nose, eyebrows, groin, armpits or neck as rare locations.
It begins in the first weeks of life and resolves spontaneously, slowly, over a period of weeks or months, without leaving a scar or mark.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by flare-ups and remissions that usually last for several months or years. An article published in the research states that around 20% of the pediatric population suffers from this disorder.
The main symptom is pruritus, but it can be accompanied by the following:
- Xerosis.
- Erythema.
- Lichenification of the skin.
- Suppuration.
- Edema.
- Escoriacionesy erosiones.
- Scabs.
Diaper rash
The dermatitis diaper is a very common condition characterized by red, scaly, ulcerated skin sore and occasions. It is generated by an increase in the PH of the skin, which is caused by excess moisture and friction in the area. They also include factors such as:
- Prolonged contact with feces and urine.
- Use of strong detergents.
- The material of the diaper.
- Use of very aggressive antiseptic soaps.
- Presence of fungi and bacteria.
- Elevated temperature of the area.
A study published by Pediatric Dermatology concludes that most babies with diaper rash average 0 to 6 months of age.
Milium or milia
Milia are benign cysts of the skin, filled with keratin inside. They arise on the cutaneous surface of the face with hair follicles, and are generated from the lower infundibular sebaceous collar of the hair.
According to the research in 2017, milia affects 40 or 50% of healthy newborns. Babies born prematurely are less affected.
Treatment of milia is not necessary, since these lesions tend to resolve spontaneously, in the first weeks. However, they sometimes last and spread throughout the body.
Pediatric care is relevant
Almost all spots, rashes, and angiomas in babies are harmless. Despite this, some variants may be the clinical manifestation of underlying pathologies.
Therefore, it is extremely important to talk to your pediatrician about any rare or changing brand. Currently, there are effective and safe therapies that are particularly effective when started early.
