If you have a baby or a small child, you may already be familiar with skin problems often associated with infants. While you may have tried to clear up your baby’s rash, and possibly even been successful, having a bit of information on the subject of bacterial skin infections can be helpful.
Parents who do not know that a diaper rash can be caused by bacteria are at a disadvantage. It can be harder to treat, and it is possible to transmit the bacteria to others. First, determining that the rash is bacterial is important. The most noticeable sign of a bacterial skin infection is that the bumps contain fluid. As this fluid contains bacteria, you should refrain from attempting to drain or remove it from your child’s skin. If it drains on its own, the bacteria can infect other areas of the baby’s skin, and the person who comes in contact with it. For example, you can develop an eye infection if you rub your eyes after touching this fluid.
A bacterial skin infection can also be noticed by its redness, and that it is warm to the touch. While these features are more prominent in an infection which has been present for awhile and left untreated, they can often be noticed even in earlier stages of an infection.
The presence of fluid within blister-like bumps, redness, and warmth are the easiest ways to differentiate between a bacterial skin infection in your baby and other types of skin problems. If you are uncertain about a specific rash on your baby, it can be easily diagnosed by his pediatrician.
Bacterial skin infections in babies require a specific course of treatment. Fortunately, all aspects of treating this type of infection are simple. First, in realizing that it is a skin infection, it must be dealt with carefully. When washing your baby’s skin, refrain from using a harsh soap or from scrubbing his skin. Gently cleaning his skin with a soft cloth and warm or cool water is recommended. If your doctor has prescribed a mild cleanser for your baby’s rash this is the best product to use on him.
Second, as bacterial skin infections are contagious, care should be taken to prevent the bacteria from spreading. When your baby has one of these infections, it can be a good idea to change his bathing habits. Instead of bathing him in his usual tub, an old-fashioned “sponge bath” is better. Use fresh water, a fresh cloth and towel, for the area where he has the rash. In addition, you should take care to not spread the bacteria to yourself. Wash your hands thoroughly, both before and after changing and bathing the baby, and before touching your eyes.
The third point regarding bacterial skin infections in babies is that the rash itself must be treated correctly. Not only will the antibiotic cream that your pediatrician prescribes make your youngster feel much better, it will kill the bacteria. The standard baby lotions that you can find in your local store cannot do this. Fully curing a bacterial rash requires a special cream which can be prescribed by your baby’s doctor.
