After birth, a newborn baby learns to live in a new environment for him. He needs to learn how to breathe, and the body - to regulate its own body temperature. Often there are all kinds of adaptive reactions of the child’s body, and toxic erythema of the newborn is one of them. What is it and how to help your baby?
What is erythema
Erythema is a skin rash in which the general state of health does not change. The skin turns red due to external or internal irritants. The shade of the skin ranges from pink to burgundy, more blood enters the affected areas than healthy ones. Neonatal toxic erythema of the newborn is characterized by the fact that the spots merge into one large area. In adults, this condition can provoke stress or emotional stress. As a rule, erythema is a variant of the physiological norm. However, if redness does not go away for a long time, you need to seek help from specialists.
Manifestations of erythema in newborns
There is both physiological and toxic erythema of the newborn. The first is the reaction of the skin to the environment. Natural protective lubricant is washed off, the body learns to contact with air, clothing. Redness usually disappears after a week and does not require any special therapeutic measures. This condition is observed in most newborn children (up to 80%). Toxic erythema is the reaction of a small organism to a foreign protein allergen. Also, many are interested in the question of when toxic erythema of newborns begins to develop, to what age it passes. This condition develops in the first days of the baby's life (about the second to fourth) and passes after a few weeks or days.
Signs of Toxic Erythema
As a rule, toxic erythema manifests itself in the form of reddened areas of the skin, which can have different sizes. Perhaps a slight compaction of the cover, rash, blisters and tubercles (gray, yellowish). It is worth noting that the child behaves uneasily, since all these rashes are flaky, itchy. In some cases, body temperature may rise. Changes in the internal organs are rarely observed (for example, an enlarged spleen). Upon examination, a specialist may notice slightly enlarged lymph nodes.
Erythema
Depending on the location and severity of the disease, the following forms of erythema are distinguished.
1. Localized toxic erythema of the newborn - characterized by small single rashes, in which the general condition of the baby does not change. Redness is observed in the region of the priests, back, on the bends of the elbows, under the knees.
2. With a common form of rashes, they are quite large, the affected areas of the skin are large. In this case, the child becomes lethargic, irritable. Sometimes there is an increase in temperature.
3. Generalized toxic erythema of the newborn (photo below) covers large areas, rashes are plentiful. The child is apathetic, moody.
Two forms of the course of the disease are also distinguished:
- acute (changes disappear after a few days);
- protracted (skin integuments return to normal after a few weeks.
Toxic erythema of the newborn: causes
After birth, the baby is in new living conditions. Accordingly, the first to react is his skin, which is in direct contact with air, clothing, hygiene products, and water. However, experts identify a number of factors that can cause toxic erythema. This is the toxicosis of the mother during pregnancy, taking medications during this period. The presence of diseases of the endocrine system, work in harmful conditions - all this can also provoke the development of erythema. In addition, the hereditary factor also matters. If parents have a tendency to allergic reactions, then in most cases the child will be diagnosed with toxic erythema of the newborn. Among the possible causes, intrauterine infection and a state of hypoxia are also distinguished. Doctors also note that the development of erythema can be caused by late application to the chest - usually later than 6 hours after birth.
Toxic erythema of the newborn: diagnosis and treatment methods
Basically, to confirm this diagnosis, doctors conduct a visual examination. Additionally, some tests may be prescribed. If the symptoms do not disappear for a long time, an analysis of the mother’s milk will be required. Treatment as such is not required, it is only necessary to more carefully care for the skin of the baby. Clothing should be exclusively made from natural materials, free in its cut. Also, do not tightly swaddle the baby. Water treatments should be daily. Do not overheat the baby, as diaper rash will only aggravate the situation. If toxic erythema of the newborn (photo below) is quite large, the affected areas are lubricated with special ointments. The generalized form in most cases requires the use of antiallergenic drugs. In addition, air baths have worked very well. It is worth starting to keep the child naked for several minutes, gradually increasing the interval. This will help improve the condition of the skin, relieve itching from rubbing clothes.
What you should pay attention to
Since erythema of the newborn is a physiological state, there are no specific preventive measures. Symptoms disappear after a few days (or weeks). If toxic erythema of the newborn is diagnosed, the treatment consists of proper and gentle skin care for the baby. The danger in this condition may lie in the attachment of a secondary infection, which will only worsen the situation. In this case, specialist advice and special skin care products will be required. However, the main danger lies elsewhere. Toxic erythema of the newborn is a signal that the baby is prone to allergic reactions and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is worthwhile with special care to introduce new foods into the diet. It is also necessary to carefully choose detergents for washing children's things, various foams, creams that will directly contact the skin. And expectant mothers are advised to avoid potential allergens, harmful chemical fumes, unnecessary medications. Such measures will help reduce the likelihood of developing a condition such as toxic erythema of the newborn. Health to you and your children!