Understanding and Treating Drool Rash in Babies: A Comprehensive Guide

Drooling is a common phenomenon among babies, especially when they are starting to grow their teeth. There is nothing to worry about, but sometimes excessive drooling can cause skin irritation and can cause a drool rash.

Drool rash happens when there is excessive saliva on the surface of the baby’s skin and can also grow on their cheeks and mouth, inside the olds of their neck, and also on their chest. It is nothing contagious and doesn’t cause any kind of serious medical condition. Sometimes it becomes painful and can be very uncomfortable for the baby.

But drooling is a common as well as necessary phenomenon. Drooling is important because:

• It keeps their mouth moist, which makes it easier for the food to swallow.
• It moistens and softens the food.
• Carries away or washes any food residue that is left inside the mouth.
• It protects their baby teeth from tooth decay.
• It has enzymes that help with the digestion of the food.

Symptoms for drool rash  

• Redness and skin irritation
• Slightly raised patches or flat patches
• Little red bumps.

Causes for drool rash  

Babies have very soft skin, and their delicate skin is prone to acne, heat rash, and eczema as well. That is why it becomes difficult to determine the actual reason behind this rash. Some of the reasons behind drool rash on a baby’s face or baby rash on chin from drool or drool rash on a baby’s neck are listed below.

Teething  

Drooling is often caused by teething. It is a common side effect of teething. When a baby is teething, they keep gnawing on a teether or their hands. This makes the saliva drip down through the sides of the mouth, into the folds of the neck, and down the chest as well.

Pacifiers  

When a baby sucks on their pacifier, saliva drips from their mouth and isolates the drool to one area. As the saliva gets locked to that one place because of the pacifier, drool rash is common to occur as the is no passing of air in that area.

Food  

If any food is left on the face of a baby for a long period, it can cause a drool rash around the mouth. So it is better to clean the face after feeding them and clean any residue that is left on their little face.

Treatment for drool rash  

Treating drool rash is not the same as presenting the cause of drool rash. Stopping drooling is never the purpose, as it is important for the baby. Baby drool rash treatment is not very difficult. Let’s check how it can be treated.

Cleaning the affected area twice a day  

The easiest of all treatments is to clean the area that has been affected twice every day. Use any baby cleansing water or simply boiled water before giving them a bath or any time of the day. It not only cleanses the body and face but also helps in keeping the skin soft. It is not important to rinse the water off.

You can also wash the affected with any kind of baby soap and clean water. You can also use some baby drool rash cream on them. After washing the area with soap and water, it is necessary to pat them dry; otherwise, it may cause even more irritation.

Using a soothing cream or gel  

After cleaning the affected area, using a drooling cream can be effective. These creams also work as moisturizers. They heal their gentle cream with a formula that is best suited for the baby’s skin. Generally, these kind of gels and creams are fragrance-free and is designed to suit their sensitive skin.

Using a baby wash during bath  

To prevent drool rash from coming back and to treat them, a gentle baby wash can help their irritated skin. These gels are made with formulas that will soothe irritated skin and help them heal. They also protect the sensitive skin and keep the moisture locked.

Moisturizing lotion  

A fragrance-free light moisturizer can help the baby relax from irritated skin. Keeping the skin relaxed can help them get rid of the discomfort they are facing from drool rash. Giving them a relaxing massage can help them and be a good bonding time between the two of you.

Avoiding any irritating substances

Avoid using any harsh chemicals for washing their clothes, any harsh soaps or lotions which have a lot of chemicals. Try using mild soaps or fragrance-free lotions to soothe the skin and keep them relaxed.

How can you prevent drool rash?

Well, keep in mind preventing baby drool rash is the moto and not stopping the baby from drooling. There are a few ways through which you can prevent a baby rash from drool.

Putting a bib on  

Sometimes, a baby drools to such an extent that they soak their shirt, so it is better to put on a bib to prevent that and change the bib from time to time to keep it from getting wet. It will hold the drool and protect the chest, and the soft material can be used to wipe away the drool as well.

Keep the skin dry and clean.  

The easiest way to prevent drool rash on baby face, chest, cheeks, and the folds of the neck is to keep it dry and clean. These are sensitive and delicate areas and are prone to get irritated easily.

Cold Washcloth or teething ring  

If the baby is drooling because of teething, then giving them something soft and cold can help with their gums. If you are trying to control the drooling that is caused by teething, giving them a cold washcloth or teething ring can be of great help.

Bottom Line  

A drool rash is nothing serious or contagious, but if you notice high fever, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, if they are irritated or getting fussy unnecessarily, or refusing to eat, then it can be something serious, and it is best to take them to a pediatrician.

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