Toxic erythema of newborns: causes, treatment

Newborn baby after birth is learning to live in a new environment for him. He needs to learn to breathe, and the body - to regulate your own body temperature. Often there are all possible adaptive reactions of the child's body, and toxic erythema of newborns is included in their number. What is it and how to help your baby?

What is erythema?

Erythema is a rash on the skin, in which the overall health does not change. Skin blushes due to external or internal stimuli. The color of the skin varies from pink to burgundy, the blood gets to the affected areas in a larger amount, rather than to healthy ones. Neonatal toxic erythema of newborns 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 the redness does not go away for a long time, you need to seek the help of specialists.

Manifestations of erythema in newborns

There is both physiological and toxic erythema of newborns. The first is the reaction of the skin to the environment. A natural protective grease is washed off, the body learns to contact with air, clothes. Redness usually passes in a week and does not require any special therapeutic measures. This condition is observed in the majority of newborns (up to 80%). Toxic erythema is the reaction of a small organism to a foreign allergen protein. Also, many are interested in the question when the 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 - the fourth) and passes after a few weeks or days.

Symptoms 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 small compaction of the cover, rash, blisters and tubercles (gray, yellowish color). It is worth noting that the child behaves restlessly, as all these rashes are scaly, itch. In some cases, body temperature may rise. Changes in the internal organs are rare (eg, enlargement of the spleen). Upon examination, the specialist may note several enlarged lymph nodes.

Forms of erythema

Depending on the localization and severity of the disease, the following forms of erythema are distinguished.

1. Localized toxic erythema of newborns - characterized by small single eruptions, in which the overall condition of the baby does not change. Redness is observed in the area of priests, back, on the elbows folds, under the knees.

2. With the common form of the rash large enough, the affected areas of the skin are large. At the same time the child becomes listless, irritable. Sometimes there is an increase in temperature.

3. Generalized toxic erythema of newborns (photo below) covers large areas, rashes profuse. The child is apathetic, capricious.

There are also two forms of the disease:

• Acute (changes disappear after a few days);
• Protracted (the skin is coming back to normal in a few weeks.

Toxic erythema of newborns: causes

After birth, the child finds himself in new conditions of life. Accordingly, his skin reacts first, which directly contacts the air, clothing, hygiene means , water. However, experts identify a number of factors that can cause the appearance of toxic erythema. It is the toxemia of the mother during pregnancy, the intake of 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 has significance. If parents have a tendency to allergic reactions, the child in most cases will be diagnosed with toxic erythema of newborns. Possible causes include intrauterine infection, the state of hypoxia. Also, doctors note that the development of erythema can be caused by late application to the breast - usually later than 6 hours after childbirth.

Toxic erythema of newborns: diagnosis and treatment methods

Basically, to confirm this diagnosis, doctors conduct a visual inspection. Additionally, some tests can be assigned. If the symptoms do not disappear for a long time, you will also need to analyze the mother's milk. Treatment as such is not required, it is only necessary to take care of the baby's skin more carefully. Clothing should be exclusively made of natural materials, free in its cut. Also, do not tightly swaddle crumbs. Water procedures should be daily. Do not overheat the baby, as diaper rash will only aggravate the situation. If the toxic erythema of newborns (the photo is located below) has a fairly large scale, the affected areas are lubricated with special ointments. The generalized form in most cases requires the use of antiallergenic drugs. In addition, very well proven air baths. It is worth starting to keep the baby naked for several minutes, gradually increasing the interval. This will help improve the skin, remove itching from rubbing clothes.

What you should pay attention to

Since erythema of newborns is a physiological state, there are no special preventive measures. Symptoms disappear after a few days (or weeks). If the toxic erythema of newborns is diagnosed, the treatment consists in the correct and careful care of the baby's skin. The danger in this condition may lurk in attaching a secondary infection, which will only worsen the situation. In this case, you will need both specialist advice and special skin care products. However, the main danger lies in another. Toxic erythema of newborns is a signal that the baby is prone to allergic reactions and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is worthwhile to introduce new foods into the diet with special care. It is also necessary to carefully choose the means for washing children's clothes, various creams, creams that will directly contact the skin. And future mothers are advised to avoid potential allergens, harmful chemical fumes, unnecessary drugs. Such measures will help reduce the likelihood of developing a condition such as toxic erythema of newborns. Health to you and your children!