Here's How To Identify Baby Skin Problems

According to the Mayo Clinic, cradle cap is defined as thick yellow and white crusted scales that aren't easy to remove. They appear on the scalp and occasionally on the face, ears, neck and behind the knees. While the exact cause of the condition isn't known, it's thought to be related to developing sebaceous glands.

The good news? Usually, cradle cap looks worse than it is: it doesn't tend to be itchy or uncomfortable and tends to go away on its own, without any medical treatment. If it persists or is severe, a medicated product might be suggested.

In the meantime, use an emollient soap or shampoo to help prevent a build-up of scales on the scalp - and smooth away those crusted flakes.

Raised, swollen and itchy spots on your little one? Sounds like hives, which can appear at any time and cover any part of baby's body. The rash often develops suddenly, and the patches of raised red or white skin (known as wheals) cause an itchy, painful or burning sensation.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that a hives outbreak is often the result of a viral infection, but can also come on due to hot or cold temperatures, or as the result of an allergic reaction to an irritant like a certain food, animal, or an insect bite. Hives can go away on their own in a few hours (sometimes, it takes up to a few days), but if you're worried about your baby scratching, then call your GP.

Nappy rash+ is a common infant skin problem that can result from your baby being in contact with wee or poo for extended periods of time. It shows up on the genitals and buttocks, but also areas like the folds of skin on the upper thighs, where nappy fluids may have leaked.

Nappy rash+ looks red, sore and inflamed, and sometimes pimples or spots appear in the area. If the rash persists and is unresponsive to home treatments, your baby may be suffering from candidal nappy rash (aka a yeast infection) - something to consider in all nappy rashes lasting longer than three days. If you suspect a yeast infection, call your GP right away.

Eczema and dry skin may look and seem like similar skin conditions, but they're not: eczema causes intense inflammation and irritation of the skin because skin is less able to retain water and produce the fats and oils required for the skin barrier to stay healthy, according to the National Eczema Society. This leads to red, scaly and itchy patches that can show up anywhere on the body.

The intense itching caused by eczema often leads to infected skin after scratching; skin then gets sore, broken and cracked and can be accompanied by fluid-filled or weeping blisters.

Numerous allergen trigger factors can cause eczema in babies, from soaps and body washes that irritate the skin to food or pet allergies. Even detergents used to wash clothes can cause a flare-up and affect a baby's sensitive skin.

While unpleasant and uncomfortable, eczema can be controlled with daily emollient use - by replacing potentially irritating soaps and body washes with fragrance-free alternatives known to soothe the skin and reduce itching. Oilatum offers a variety of emollient therapies, including a complete Junior range, with a Bath Additive that creates a soothing milky bath for babies and a Cream which has been shown in clinical tests to significantly reduce itching for 8 hours* – enough to help infants get some sleep without scratching.

Psoriasis typically appears as raised, red lesions covered in thick and flaky whitish-silver scales on the knees, elbows and lower back (aka Plaque psoriasis) although it can also look like small dots which cover the trunk, arms and legs (aka Guttate psoriasis). Expect skin inflammation and lots of itching to accompany either.

Psoriasis often tends to appear in children after an illness, like a throat infection due to streptococcal bacteria (although there is also a hereditary component for about one-third of sufferers, according to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance). If you suspect your little one has the skin ailment, book in with your GP to confirm the diagnosis and decide which treatment is best.