Pimples popped up on a baby's head: causes and ways to eliminate rashes

Rashes on the body and head in infants occur quite often. Children with perfectly smooth skin are rare. The rash can be caused by various reasons.

It is important for parents to know why pimples appear on the baby’s head and how to treat this condition.

Why do they appear?

One of the common causes of a rash on the head of a child is hormonal.
It is explained by the transfer of certain substances from the mother during pregnancy. In such a case, pimples on the head and face form in the first three weeks of the baby’s life. This rash is red or pink in color, does not itch, does not cause pain and does not require therapy. Also, rashes on the head and face can be caused by food allergies.

For example, if a nursing mother consumes exotic fruits, citrus fruits, chocolate and other foods that can cause an intolerance reaction. Diathesis often appears with the start of complementary feeding if the diet is incorrectly selected. Allergies can also occur to shampoo components. This rash is accompanied by itching. The condition returns to normal after the allergen is eliminated.

A common cause of rashes on the head is prickly heat. This condition occurs in hot weather if parents do not properly care for the baby. Pimples are localized on the back of the neck and are also observed on the skin folds of the legs and arms. They are pink in color. It happens that rashes are caused by changes in air temperature.

Pimples on the head are sometimes a sign of dysbiosis. If the intestinal microflora is disturbed, the baby also experiences flatulence and stool upset. The rash is localized on the scalp and face. Purulent pimples can occur due to increased oily skin or infection.

Factors that provoke the occurrence of a rash are:

• chronic stress;
• decreased immunity;
• neuroses;
• insufficient scalp care;
• squeezing pimples;
• unbalanced diet.

Pediatricians do not consider hormonal pimples in newborns and infants to be a pathology. Unpleasant symptoms disappear on their own by the age of two months.

Causes of pimples on the head

There are many reasons that cause acne rashes on the head. The main ones are:

1. Hormonal background . Up to 3 months, small pimples appear on the head and face of a newborn; some mothers confuse them with an allergic rash. In fact, these rashes are caused by the development of the baby’s hormonal levels and do not depend on diet. The rash disappears spontaneously after a few days and does not require special treatment. If purulent rashes, redness appear, and a whitish or yellow liquid forms inside the vesicle, normal hygienic care will not be sufficient. This will require therapeutic measures prescribed by a doctor.
2. Hygiene . Pustules can appear due to poor hygiene and infrequent bathing of the newborn. Sebum, mixing with dust and sweat, causes an inflammatory reaction in the skin folds, on the neck and back of the head. Clogged sebaceous glands become inflamed, which leads to the appearance of ulcers and even boils. These same factors cause acne in teenagers. Due to the increased work of the sebaceous glands during the transition period, when active hormonal changes are taking place, children may develop acne on the chest, back, head, and face. Sometimes rashes in a newborn are caused by excessive cleanliness of the parents. Frequent use of detergents removes the protective film, the skin becomes more sensitive to the effects of microbes and other aggressive factors.
3. Skin damage. The slightest cracks, abrasions, diaper rash become entrance gates for the penetration of pathogenic microbes - staphylococci, streptococci.
4. Pyoderma. Unfortunately, pyoderma (skin damage by bacteria) can also occur in a newborn. The disease at this age is most dangerous, since in the absence of necessary measures it can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning).
5. Immunity. A decrease in the child’s immunity is of great importance. Purulent formations on the crown, forehead, and back of the head occur after infectious diseases, in premature infants. If a mother suffers from a cold, sore throat, or pancreatitis during pregnancy, this will certainly affect the child’s health and contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis. In this case, it would not hurt to additionally examine the baby and prescribe him probiotics, but only a doctor should do this.
6. Allergy. Scabs on the face and back of the head can appear as a result of an allergic reaction. For example, when introducing a new product into a baby’s diet. Pimples usually itch very much, which leads to the appearance of purulent rashes, boils, and pyoderma. Therefore, if you suspect an allergic reaction, it is worth analyzing what new foods your baby has recently eaten.
7. Prickly heat. Common miliaria causes purulent rashes to appear on the back of the head and neck of a newborn. Symptoms of miliaria are small blisters with a diameter of no more than 2 mm, filled with clear liquid. They arise as a result of increased sweating when the child overheats, when the mother wraps her child up too much. Some parents are guilty of keeping their baby in a headdress even in hot weather and at home. Pediatricians do not recommend doing this; you should put on a cap or cap only after bathing the baby.
8. Fever. Rashes on the back of the head and neck can occur at elevated body temperatures when the child sweats profusely.
9. Poor development of sweat glands. You should know that the sweat glands in a newborn are not sufficiently developed, so sweat accumulates in the excretory ducts of the glands, causing irritation and redness of the skin. If the process has not been stopped, the bubbles merge with each other, and red spots form on the neck and back of the head. This is accompanied by itching, so you should make sure that the child does not scratch the sore spots.

When should you see a doctor?

If a child has a rash on the head, then it is necessary to reconsider the characteristics of nutrition and care, and eliminate the effect of provoking factors. If after this the condition does not return to normal, then it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The pediatrician will prescribe a series of examinations to identify the cause of the rash. You should not hesitate to visit a doctor if you have purulent pimples, especially if they quickly spread throughout the body.

To treat such a rash, an antibacterial course is required. You cannot choose antibiotics for your baby on your own. Many drugs are prohibited for children under one year of age.

It should also be taken into account that prolonged and incorrect use of medications can lead to the development of dysbiosis and the appearance of new elements of a rash on the head against this background. The purulent process can lead to the development of an abscess, furunculosis, and sepsis.

Often, with an infectious lesion, a child experiences the following unpleasant symptoms:

• increased body temperature;
• severe inflammation and swelling of the affected area;
• moodiness;
• loss of appetite;
• weight loss;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• nausea and vomiting;
• lethargy;
• drowsiness.

The sooner therapy is started, the faster the recovery will occur, the lower the likelihood of developing dangerous complications.

How to deal with rashes on your baby's head?

If a mother notices pimples on her baby’s head, then she needs to examine the elements of the rash and find out whether they cause discomfort in the baby. If there is no itching or pain, then you can calm down a little. When pimples are allergic, then you need to find out what exactly provoked the cause of such a reaction.

A woman is advised to analyze her diet and make adjustments if necessary. Red fruits and vegetables, sweets, fish, chocolate, seafood, exotic fruits, and baked goods should be excluded from the menu.

If the baby is on an artificial type of feeding, then it is worth changing the milk formula.

When a child receives complementary foods, it is necessary to review his menu and exclude allergenic foods. If a woman cannot understand why the baby has developed an intolerance reaction, then she needs to seek help from a pediatrician. The doctor will select the appropriate treatment.

When the cause of the rash is poor hygiene, you should bathe your child more often. If pimples are caused by dysbiosis, then it is necessary to take medications to restore the intestinal microflora. Complex therapy is carried out: first, bacteriophages are prescribed, and then bifidobacteria.

In the case of neonatal rash, no action should be taken.

Measures for the prevention and treatment of scalp rashes

If the child’s condition is satisfactory, the following measures will help get rid of pimples on the newborn’s head:

• Daily bathing in water with the addition of antiseptic herbs (chamomile, sage, string, oak bark);
• Use baby soap without any additives;
• After a thorough bathing, the pimples are treated with an iodine solution (a few drops per glass of water), the skin around the lesion is lubricated with a solution of brilliant green and also with some kind of antiseptic, for example methylene blue. You can also use calendula tincture as an option; it is diluted with water in equal proportions.
• Try to change your pillowcase every day, carefully iron your underwear and hats with a hot iron.
• If pimples appear after introducing a new product into your diet, temporarily exclude it from the menu.
• Maintain the required optimal temperature in the room to prevent the baby from overheating.
• It is necessary to trim your baby's nails to prevent him from scratching his scalp.

It is worth noting that if a baby develops pustules, it is unacceptable to use ointments and other products without consulting a doctor.

Preventive actions

It is much easier to prevent a rash on a child’s head than to try to get rid of it later. Therefore, parents should know how to care for and feed the baby correctly.

Pediatricians give the following recommendations:

• maintain optimal humidity and temperature in the room. Protect the baby from overheating;
• dress the child according to weather conditions and the microclimate in the apartment;
• change clothes regularly;
• take a responsible approach to the choice of infant formula. It is worth giving preference to quality products;
• do not use deodorizing agents in the children's room;
• keep the baby's body and head clean. At the same time, you should not use hygiene products (shampoo, gel) too often;
• prevent the child from sweating;
• introduce new foods into the baby’s diet carefully, in minimal quantities, taking into account the body’s reaction;
• ensure that the diet is balanced and rational;
• avoid sudden changes in temperature;
• ventilate the room more often;
• use hats for children made from natural hypoallergenic fabrics.

Following these tips will help you avoid trouble. If your child does develop pimples, you should not self-medicate. An illiterate choice of medications can cause the condition to worsen.