Babies have their own set of struggles, which parents must provide relief to. Recognizing the onset of these problems on time can help prevent babies from teething agony. Teething pain or teething rash is a very common condition babies tend to experience as early as 2 months of age. Although, the tooth eruption process typically starts from 6 months to 12 months, teething rash can result from the pre-eruption process in which the tooth moves beneath the gum tissue, causing redness or swelling.
Teething Rash
This phase of the tooth in which it gradually emerges from the gum is associated with short term gum and jaw discomfort. It may subject babies to even severe symptoms like disrupted sleep, fussiness, and excessive drooling. Typically, drooling is what leads to the development of baby teething rash.
A drool rash usually appears around the mouth, neck, and cheeks as a result of too much saliva being present on the skin. It keeps the skin wet causing slightly raised red bumps to develop, which may also become chapped. If not provided immediate release, the rash may worsen and cause painful skin aggravation.
Drool rash is generally a manageable condition; it has minor effects which can go away with a home based remedy.
How to Prevent Teething Rash
It is fairly simple to prevent a drool rash; however, it is important to keep in mind the fragility of baby skin. Home remedies must not include any products that can cause irritation. A soft damp cloth (usually a bib or burp cloth) is best for gently wiping away drool. While the mouth and cheeks are easy to wipe off, the neck bit should be done slightly more thoroughly to make sure the drool from the folds of the neck is properly removed. You can also gently wash the affected areas directly with warm water and then use a soft clean towel to pat dry. Make sure you do not rub any area of the skin that has a rash, this will immediately worsen it. Keep the baby’s skin dry at all times by keeping clean bibs at hand. Using the same bip over and over again can cause skin irritation as well as germ/bacteria contraction. Once the skin is clean and dry, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly. This thin jelly film will serve as a barrier shielding the skin from the drool. It will also soothe and soften the red bumps.
Protecting the baby’s skin from various natural factors like drooling and scratching helps ensure the baby’s comfort. A dry and clean skin is most effective in combating drool rash. Also, make sure to wipe your baby’s face, neck, and chest area properly after feedings.
Be sure to only buy products that are baby friendly and do not include chemicals, harsh ingredients or even strong fragrances. In fact, it is best to use unscented baby wash and lotion when the baby has rashes. Lotion can be saved for later until the rash goes away as it can aggravate the skin by keeping it moist.
Ultimately, the key to treating baby teething rash is keeping the skin dry. Reduce the use of pacifiers during this time, as it can cause the saliva to collect on the sides of the baby’s mouth. To be on the safe side, you may use clinically recommended ointments for baby rash.