My name is M., stationed in Okinawa,Japan. I just had a son in June, he was born a month early. My problem is, he has a rash on and around his cheek area only. I have been putting vaseline on the area to see if it would clear up. I was thinking it could be a form of baby acne or maybe he is allergic to something. I called the clinic and all I get is that it's probably baby acne. I have an appointment next week, I was just wandering if anyone else has had this problem with a newborn?
Hello eveyone, well Isaac had his appointment today. He has a mild case of acne, there's not much they could do except tell me to keep the areas clean with water. He is doing fine. He has a follow-up on the 25th. Thank you ladies for all your responses, God Bless you all!!!
M....
My neighbor's daughter had some of the same issues. I gave her a bottle of Arbonne's baby lotion that I use on my daughter. It cleared up and has not come back.
I've met quite a few people who are now using this lotion vs the steroid cream prescribed by the drs.
My daughter had a facial rash from a very early age. They told us it was baby acne, too. We finally found out that it is eczema & stems from a wheat & dairy allergy. She doesn't get wheat & only very little dairy now & it has cleared up. We used Eucerin on it-after you bathe the baby, put it on within 3 minutes after taking him out of the tub as it helps seal the moisture in. Also, what kind of detergent are you using? We use All Free & Clear. Make sure whatever you use doesn't have any additives (perfume or color) in it.
Good luck-hopefully you'll be able to find out what is causing it soon!
It probably is baby acne, but my daughter did get rashes on her face when she was a baby and it turned out to be an allergy (this was when she was older and started eating baby foods). And some babies just have rashes for no apparent reason. I'm not sure if Vaseline is the way to go, it might keep the rash from drying out, which some rashes need to do in order to go away. But as long as it's not making the rash worse it is offering protection until you find out next week what it is.
I live in Okinawa as well. My baby girl just turned a year old, but when she was younger she had a problem with eczema. It looked like a red rash. A lot of babies have a problem with eczema on the island. My doctor gave me a steroid cream and it cleared up in a day or so. Every once in a while I still have to use it, but not as much. It's a VERY small dose of steroid. I have very sensitive skin and have allergic eczema and it was prescribed for me many times. I guess I should have figured my daughter would be the same. I hope this helps.
It is more than likely baby acne. I'm not familiar with products you can buy in Japan (I'm in Germany) but I would highly suggest you NOT put vaseline on a baby. It's petroleum based and really not so great for anyones skin. If you know of Arbonne, they have a wonderful baby care line and a skin conditioning oil that is well-known to clear up the toughest skin problems. You might find that it goes away all by itself, over the next few weeks. Enjoy your new son!!
P.
All three of my children had a rash like what you are describing. They all turned out to be excema. The doctor prescribed Eucerine Cream and it was gone in a day or two.
I have a friend whose son has a form of Eczema on his face only. It itches him so he scratches at it a lot. They put mittens on him so it would not get scratched all the time. I found this website for you. I hope it helps to explain it better than I can. I would have a doctor look at it but this might help before you get to your appointment. http://www.drgreene.com/21_1908.html
I am also stationed here on Okinawa.
M.,
My nephew had a constant ance like rash on his face, until my brother saw a doctor that diagnosed ezcema, caused in part by a dairy allergy. When they changed his formula it cleared up, but still to this day (he is 3) if he gets a little dairy by accident he breaks out. Something you may ask your doctor about.
I had the exact same problem with my son. It turned out he had really dry skin. The doctor gave me really strong face lotion to put on it and hydrocortisone cream. It cleared up within a couple of days and then I just kept using the lotion to prevent the dryness.
It may be baby eczema. Eucerin cream is the "treatment" and it is usually on formulary at the pharmacy. Your pediatric healthcare provider will probably write you a prescription if that is what you need.
M.,
Both my kids had the dry patchy skin on their cheeks, I found that Eucerin and just waiting helped, when I tried vaseline it did not work after a couple of days using Eucerin it cleared up and when I saw it trying to return I would use it agressively again, but as far as I know it is normal and just one of those things, but keep your appt. and check with the doc when it comes to our kids we never know so best to get a medical opinion to ease your mind...
MAMALYN
Hi, M.! Yes, it does sound like baby acne--my daughter had it. She got it when she was about 5 weeks and lasted for a couple of weeks--hers was really bad and was all over her face. My ped. said to leave it alone and it would go away on its own and it did. He said it would leave scars if we were to "pop" or pick at the bumps. It looks worse then what it is! But it would be a good idea to go ahead and see the doctor to make sure everything is Ok and to rule out anything else it could be. Hope this helps!
I am not sure if they have it there but Nivea is about the best creme I have tried for rashes and dry skin..My daughter had baby acne and she has eczema but Nivea works wonders on her..Good luck S. A
