What Causes Brown Patches On The Face While Treating Jaundice?

Posted on Mon, 5 Dec 2016

Question: Hi Doc,

My daughter was born on 7th October 2016 and within three days of her birth,she was diagnosed with Jaundice and given phototherapy.Post phototherapy ,her face and back has become very dark.I can see brown patches on her face .

Is it because of phototherapy.Does it cause XXXXXXX in infants.

I had applied besan and malai but she looks all da more dark.I did apply chicco cream also but her skin looks greasy all da time.Some kind of oil seems to cum from her face.can you suggest some good soap or lotion.Off late i have stopped applying anything on her except coconut oil for light massage.

When she turns or yawns her face turns red.Is it normal and when will it go.

When does actual complexion of baby comes

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs no intervention.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Let me assure you that jaundice is physiological (in the course of normal functioning of the body - nothing to be concerned about) and phototherapy is a very safe and acceptable mode of treatment. I would insist you not to get concerned about it.
XXXXXXX due to phototherapy is possible but nothing concerning. It is not permanent and requires no intervention. I would not consider it a good idea to apply besan and malai on a newborn's skin. The newborn skin is tender and delicate. The oily secretion is acceptable and does not require any lotion to be applied. All you need to do is to swab it off with cotton dipped in lukewarm water.

The actual complexion of a child may take several years to develop. The melanocytes are the pigment secreting cells of the skin. They may take some time to mature.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 days later)

Thanks so much dr.

Also my daughter has not passed stool since 4 fayd.Howrver urine is normal and she is passong gas also.I gave her 2-3 drops of lukewarm water also but nothing is helping.What should I do.Anything to worry.Pls suggest any method so that she passes stool.

Also offlate she has developed red rashes on her both cheeks.We are Bengalis and as per our culture it is called Mashi - Pishi but our local doctor refuses to accept it.I have started using Tedibar soap.please suggest when will it go and hope there will be no marks.

Also her face turns red when she yawns or cries
Is it normal n when will it go off ?

Kindly reply

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Explanation provided.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. Do not give lukewarm water. Just continue exclusive breast feeding.

The mentioned rashes are normal too and may occur in the first 3 months of life. Nothing needs to be done about it. I do not think that you need to use any soap.

It is normal for the face to get congested (red) when the child cries. Nothing needs to be done about it.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (33 hours later)

Thanks so much dr for your reply.

Also sometimes my daughter's legs and feet look bluish to blackish.Is it the actual complexion of the baby ?She sometimes look dark,sometimes fair .When does melanin develop?

My baby has less hair on her head.Whe will hair come ?

Also her forehead is dark with hair on her hands and back.What is the reason of this darkness and when will the hair go off?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

I would request you to upload an image of the bluish to blacking discoloration. Looking at the image I would perhaps be able to ascertain the cause.

The hair on scalp at this age is not predictive of the future hair growth. You need not grow concerned.

The mentioned darkness of forehead and other parts is due to lanugo or baby hair. Yes, that will eventually go away.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (16 hours later)

Thanks doctor

Uploading a pic is getting little difficult.My question to you is when does melanin appear in babies.

Some portion of her face when she cries looks white n some red.When will her complexion even out

How is Tedibar as a soap?

After 3 months will i be able to see her real complexion

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Questions answered one by one

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Cannot find the image attached. Will comment once you upload it.

Tedibar is a good soap for babies.

Had melanin not been in the skin, it would have been paper white. However, at 3 months of age the complexion might still not be the final one. It may take a number of years before the final skin colour is attained.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar