What Could Cause a Recurring Rash on the Face of a Breastfed Baby>

Like spit-up and dirty diapers, a recurrent rash on the face of a breastfed baby is often a natural part of babyhood that infants grow out of. But the red irritation could also mean that your baby's body is reacting to a food or chemical. Learn the facts about ongoing facial rashes in babies so you can determine whether that rash will pass on its own -- or if it calls for a visit to the pediatrician.

Allergic Causes

A rash that appears repeatedly on a breastfed baby's face may indicate an allergic reaction. This type of topical inflammation could develop from something that you ate or from a substance that your baby's face comes in contact with when nursing. The most common dietary causes of facial rashes in babies are cow's milk dairy products that the mother consumed. Environmental allergens that could contribute to pediatric facial irritation include soaps, detergents, lotions and moisturizers.

Baby Acne

Babies between the ages of 3 weeks and 6 months often experience an ongoing, harmless facial rash called baby acne, which shows up in the form of small red bumps sprinkled across the cheeks, forehead or chin. Called seborrheic dermatitis in medical circles, this form of rash develops as a natural consequence of the maternal hormones present in the baby's body from before birth. The rash often appears to worsen when a child gets upset or cries, because this increases blood flow to the blood vessels under the facial skin.

Symptoms

A facial rash may appear as small pimple-like bumps, large spots or irregular, spread-out splotches. Although it often appears in isolation, be prepared to look for other symptoms, especially if you suspect an allergic sensitivity may be causing the rash. Symptoms of a food-linked allergic sensitivity may include irritability, stomach pain and gas after nursing, as well as vomiting, diarrhea or excessive spit-up. Topical skin irritation caused by environmental allergens may be accompanied by skin dryness and itchiness.

Treatment

Baby acne typically clears up by itself, often within a few weeks of its initial appearance, but allergy-linked facial rashes usually need a helping hand. Clean your baby's face with plain water or mild baby soap, and stop using lotions and irritating soaps on any skin that comes in contact with your baby's face. Switch to a gentler laundry detergent, and consider running each wash through a double rinse to help ensure that the detergent debris rinses cleanly from your clothes. Contact your baby's pediatrician if the rash worsens or if other symptoms appear. Depending on the symptoms and physical examination, he may prescribe a topical anti-inflammatory medication or ask you to eliminate certain foods from your diet for a period to see whether the rash improves.