Content
Toxic erythema is a common dermatological alteration in newborns in which small red spots are identified on the skin soon after birth or after 2 days of life, mainly on the face, chest, arms and butt.
The cause of toxic erythema is not yet well established, however the red spots do not cause any pain or discomfort for the baby and disappear after about two weeks without any treatment being necessary.
Symptoms and diagnosis of toxic erythema
The symptoms of toxic erythema appear a few hours after birth or at 2 days of life, with the appearance of red spots or pellets on the skin of varying sizes, mainly on the trunk, face, arms and butt. The red spots do not itch, do not cause pain or discomfort, and are not a cause for concern.
Toxic erythema is considered a normal reaction of the baby's skin and the diagnosis is made by the pediatrician while still in the maternity ward or in a routine consultation through the observation of skin spots. If the spots do not disappear after a few weeks, the doctor may indicate that tests are performed, since the red spots on the baby's skin may be indicative of other situations such as infection by viruses, fungus or neonatal acne, which is also quite common in children. newborns. Learn more about neonatal acne.
What to do
The red spots of the toxic erythema disappear naturally after a few weeks, so there is no need for any treatment. However, the pediatrician may indicate some precautions to speed up the disappearance of the spots, such as:
- Bathing once a day, avoiding over-bathing, as the skin can become irritated and dry;
- Avoid touching the red spots on the skin;
- Use moisturizing creams on the skin without perfume or other substances that can irritate the skin.
In addition, the baby can be fed or breastfed normally without the need for special care with feeding, other than normal for the age.