Toxic erythema of newborns: causes, treatment
Newborn baby after birthlearns to live in a new environment for him. He needs to learn to breathe, and the body needs to regulate his own body temperature. Often there are all kinds of adaptive reactions of the child's body, and toxic erythema of newborns is included in their number. What is it and how to help your baby?
What is erythema?
Erythema is a rash on the skin, in whichgeneral health does not change. Skin blushes due to external or internal stimuli. The color of the skin varies from pink to burgundy, the blood enters in the affected areas in a larger amount, rather than to healthy ones. Neonatal toxic erythema of newborns is characterized by the fact that the spots merge into one large area. In adults, this condition can cause stress or emotional stress. As a rule, erythema is a variant of the physiological norm. However, if the redness does not go away for a long time, you need to seek help from specialists.
Manifestations of erythema in newborns
There is both physiological and toxicerythema of newborns. The first is the reaction of the skin to the environment. A natural protective grease is washed off, the body learns to contact with air, clothes. Redness usually passes in a week and does not require any special therapeutic measures. This condition is observed in the majority of newborns (up to 80%). Toxic erythema is the reaction of a small organism to a foreign allergen protein. Also, many are interested in the question when the toxic erythema of newborns begins to develop, to what age it passes. This condition develops in the first days of the baby's life (about the second - the fourth) and passes after a few weeks or days.
Symptoms of toxic erythema
As a rule, toxic erythema manifests itself inthe appearance of reddened areas of the skin, which may have different sizes. Perhaps a small compaction of the cover, rashes, blisters and tubercles (gray, yellowish color). It is worth noting that the child behaves restlessly, as all these rashes are scaly, itch. In some cases, body temperature may rise. Changes in internal organs are rarely observed (eg, enlargement of the spleen). When examined, a specialist may mark several enlarged lymph nodes.
Forms of erythema
Depending on the localization and severity of the course of the disease, the following forms of erythema are distinguished.
1. Localized toxic erythema of newborns is characterized by small single eruptions, in which the general condition of the baby does not change. Redness is observed in the area of the priests, the back, on the bends of the elbows, under the knees.
2. With the common form of the rash large enough, the affected areas of the skin are large. At the same time the child becomes listless, irritable. Sometimes there is an increase in temperature.
3. Generalized toxic erythema of newborns (photo below) covers large areas, rashes profuse. The child is apathetic, capricious.
There are also two forms of the disease:
- acute (changes disappear after a few days);
- protracted (the integuments come back to normal in a few weeks.
Toxic erythema of newborns: causes
After birth, the child finds himself in newconditions of life. Accordingly, his skin reacts first, which directly contacts air, clothing, hygiene products, and water. However, experts identify a number of factors that can cause the appearance of toxic erythema. It is the toxemia of mother during pregnancy, the intake of medications during this period. The presence of diseases of the endocrine system, work in harmful conditions - all this can also provoke the development of erythema. In addition, the hereditary factor also has significance. If parents have a tendency to allergic reactions, the child in most cases will be diagnosed with toxic erythema of newborns. Possible causes include intrauterine infection, a state of hypoxia. Also, doctors note that the development of erythema can be caused by late application to the breast - usually later than 6 hours after childbirth.
Toxic erythema of newborns: diagnosis and treatment methods
Basically, in order to confirm this diagnosis,doctors conduct a visual inspection. Additionally, some tests may be assigned. If the symptoms do not disappear for a long time, you will also need to analyze the mother's milk. Treatment as such is not required, it is only necessary to take care of the baby's skin more carefully. Clothes should be made entirely of natural materials, free in their cut. Also, do not tightly swaddle crumbs. Water procedures should be daily. Do not overheat the baby, as diaper rash only aggravate the situation. If the toxic erythema of newborns (the photo is located below) has a fairly large scale, the affected areas are lubricated with special ointments. The generalized form in most cases requires the use of antiallergenic drugs. In addition, very well proven air baths. It is worth starting to keep the baby naked for several minutes, gradually increasing the interval. This will help improve the skin condition, remove itching from rubbing clothes.
What you should pay attention to
Since erythema of newborns is a conditionphysiological, then there is no special preventive measure. Symptoms disappear after a few days (or weeks). If the toxic erythema of newborns is diagnosed, the treatment consists in the correct and careful care of the baby's skin. The danger in this state may lurk in attaching a secondary infection, which will only worsen the situation. In this case, you will need both specialist advice and special skin care products. However, the main danger lies in another. Toxic erythema of newborns is a signal that the baby is prone to allergic reactions and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is necessary with special care to introduce new food into the diet. It is also necessary to carefully choose the means for washing children's clothes, various foams, creams that will directly contact the skin. And future mothers are advised to avoid potential allergens, harmful chemical fumes, unnecessary medications. Such measures will help reduce the likelihood of developing a condition such as toxic erythema of newborns. Health to you and your children!
