How to Identify Teething Rash
Your perfect little baby is just the most adorable thing in the world, so it will definitely come as a surprise to many when the little angel turns into a cranky chewing monster. Suddenly your baby not only chews on everything he gets his hands on and drives you crazy with his excessive drooling, but he also keeps you awake at night. Such is the scenario when your little one begins teething, and if you’re not careful then you may have to deal with teething rash pretty soon.
Why do babies suffer from rashes during teething, and how do you identify and treat it? Well, an excess of drool is a common part of the teething process and when saliva dribbles down your baby’s chin and dries up on his skin, it can cause the skin to become irritated. These rashes often appear as raised red patches of skin in the mouth, neck and chest areas.
The best way to deal with teething rash, of course, is to prevent it from happening. This is easily done by keeping a bib on your baby at all times or by constantly wiping away spittle from his face. A rash can also occur from irritation due to clothes or a bib that is soaked in saliva, so make sure to change your baby’s clothes and bib often.
If, after taking the necessary precautions, your baby still develops rashes, you may gently wash the area with warm water, pat it dry and apply lanolin oil or aloe vera. This will effectively soothe the affected area and keep the rashes from spreading. Other homeopathic remedies include chamomile and kreosotum, which have both been proven effective in reducing the inflammation.
In treating teething rash, there are also things that you need to avoid such as scented talcum powders, baby oil and petroleum-based products. You should also avoid using soap on the affected area and strong detergent and fabric softeners on your baby’s clothes. The best course of action would be to consult your doctor and be guided accordingly. This will also help you identify if your baby’s rash is indeed caused by teething or other factors.
