What Causes Dry Skin With Rashes In An Infant?

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 Answered on

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor,
My daughter is 3.5 months and we are just done with the 3rd dose of the pentavalent vaccine and polio drops from the government hospital
What are the other things that we need to take care of in terms of medications, application(creams, etc), supplements?
Some parts of skin is dry and looks like rashes.. not too evident, though.
She was weighing 2.43KG at the time of Birth(8th Jul'15)
She is weighing 4.9 kgs as of today.
Baby is breastfeeding until now.

Please advise us on do's, don'ts, and everything that we necessarily need to take care of.

Thanks a lot

Answered by Dr. Arun (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
needs more vaccinations

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
Let me answer in points
1. Vaccine - your baby needs additional vaccines rotavirus and pneumococcal. These protect against killer diseases like diarrhoea pneumonia and meningitis.
Government vaccines will not include these two.
2. It is common to see some parts of dry skin in babies.
Avoid powder and if still rash persists you can try moisturising lotions like dermadew twice daily.
3. Weight gain in perfect doubled her birth weight.
No cause of worry.
4. Continue feeding only breastfeeding till 6 months.
5. Avoid unnecessary cosmetics like XXXXXXX powder.
Use only baby soap and baby oil.
6. Vitamin supplements like vitamin d drops 1 ml daily for atleast 6 months.
7. If found to be iron deficient ( examination by your doctor) iron supplements may be required.
8. Avoid blowing or putting oil any other liquid in ears mouth or nose.
9. If nose gets blocked use saline drops one drop both sides.
No other medicines required unless prescribed after examination.

Wishing your child good health.
Regards
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj