Dr. Carole Keim talks about baby’s skin today, specifically baby acne and diaper rash. She explains what causes each irritation as well as how they typically present. She then goes through Western and alternative medicines that offer relief or healing.
Baby acne often starts in the first month or so of a baby’s life. There are several causes for baby acne and it will typically cover the face and upper chest. There are ways to soothe it or help it heal faster but, as Dr. Keim says, it’s “self-limited” and goes away on its own. Diaper rash is extremely common and there isn’t just one type that babies can get. The redness and irritation can get colonized with yeast or it may be one of two types of bacterial infections worsening the rash. Dr. Keim details what to look for with each type of diaper rash, when to contact a doctor, and all of the prevention and curative measures offered by healing modalities.
In this episode:
Baby Acne (00:45)
- Symptoms: pimples on face and upper chest. Caused by a combination of hormones, dryness, and irritation. Hormones cause increased oil production, dryness causes sebaceous glands to produce more oil to moisturize skin, oil gets trapped in the pores and becomes acne. Being overheated or sweaty will do the same thing. Dirt, too much lotion, and regurgitated milk can irritate the skin and block the pores, making acne flare up more.
- Western - typically no treatment; keep baby clean but don’t wash too often (1-2x per week) so skin doesn’t get too dry. Keep room temp 68-72 degrees so they don’t overheat. No need to change diet. Call your doctor if your baby has pimples that are larger than 2mm across, if the lesions are filled with clear fluid or yellow pus, if the pimples are in clusters, or if you aren’t sure if it’s baby acne or something else.
- Acu/traditional Chinese medicine - acupuncture doesn’t specifically treat baby acne, but can decrease overall inflammation, and someone certified in Chinese herbalism may be able to recommend topical treatments
- Chiro - n/a
- Nutrition/supplements - can put breastmilk on baby’s skin
- Homeopathy - calendula cream topically; no oral remedies
- Aromatherapy - Calendula oil, lavender oil, oregano oil, and tea tree oil may be mixed into a carrier oil and applied topically
Diaper Rash (08:19)
- Symptoms: caused by moisture + friction; most babies will have one at some point. Starts with redness/irritation of skin but can get colonized / super infected with yeast or bacteria. Candida rash (yeast) has satellite lesions. Bacterial has boils. Strep butt (perianal strep infection) is a bright red circle around the anus and happens in older children.
- Western - prevention (decreased likelihood, sometimes you can’t prevent it!) involves changing diaper as soon as it’s wet/poopy, use water wipes after each poop, apply diaper cream (zinc oxide based vs petroleum), air it out, don’t use baby powder. If not improving within 2-3 days with these treatments, it might be colonized/infected. Nystatin cream for candida, mupirocin for bacterial - both are used 3x per day; use regular cream in between. Oral amoxicillin for perianal strep.
- Acu/TCM - acupuncture doesn’t treat diaper rash; chinese herbs may be helpful, check with a pediatric acupuncturist
- Chiro - n/a
- Nutrition/supplements - acidic foods make it worse (strawberries, citrus, tomatoes). Probiotics can help.
- Homeopathy - calendula cream topically; borax veneta, calendula officinalis, cantharis, merc sol, nitric acid, and sulphur can be given by mouth, or dissolved in water and applied topically.
- Aromatherapy - nothing for regular/irritant rash. For candida, can use oregano, geranium, or tea tree in a carrier oil. For bacterial, can use tea tree or lemongrass in an oil on the boils.
Also in the Holistic Mamas Handbook: ringworm, cradle cap
Refer to last week’s episode about eczema
Next week: Sleep!
Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments come together in her new book, Holistic Mamas Handbook, which can be ordered here. Her first book, The Baby Manual, covers year one of your baby’s life and is the subject of the first two seasons of this podcast. Follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels for additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers. And remember, it’s always okay to call your doctor or emergency services if you have concerns about your child’s health.
Resources discussed in this episode:
- There is more information like this in the Holistic Mamas Handbook. You can order the Holistic Mamas Handbook on Amazon
- The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon
- Dr. Keim’s Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off
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Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram
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