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| What do I do if my child has heat rash? |
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In the warmth of summer, many infants develop heat rash. Heat rash is a red or pink rash with tiny, pimple-like bumps. These bumps can break open if scratched and a skin infection may occur. With that in mind, it is important for parents to prevent and treat heat rash to ensure that it does not become something serious. Heat rash itself is a benign rash that seemingly causes no discomfort for most babies. It typically occurs on the neck or inside the elbows. The problem is exacerbated when the baby is overdressed. Most parents are told to dress their infant in one layer more than the parent requires. However, during summertime, that extra layer can cause the baby to become overheated. When the baby's skin becomes too warm, the sweat ducts can become blocked and swell. This is heat rash. To avoid heat rash, be careful to dress your baby appropriately. In warm weather, loose, light-weight clothing is suitable. Try to keep your baby out of the sun as much as possible, and stick to sessions of fifteen minutes or less when you do take him out. Leave the warm blankets for winter. A light receiving blanket is perfect for summer. If your child breaks out with heat rash, the best thing to do is to try to keep him cool. Wipe his face with a cool cloth. Position a fan so that it blows over (but not directly on) him. Powders and lotions can make the rash worse, so avoid those, unless directed by your pediatrician. Be aware of signs of infection. These include fever, pain, redness, or warmth in the area of the rash, or pus draining from it. If you notice any of these, call your pediatrician. Heat rash affects many infants, but it does not have to be a problem for yours. Just remember to keep him cool, and if it does occur, keep an eye on it for possible infection. |
| Parent Homework - Staying cool while walking around |
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Whether taking a stroll around the neighborhood or visiting a theme park, there are times you will want your child to be mobile while keeping your hands free. To accomplish this, you will have to choose a method of travel. There are three basic choices outside of your tired arms. You can use a carrier, a stroller, or a wagon. Each has pros and cons, and in the summer the challenge is to keep your infant cool and safe. Around the neighborhood, I took a walk with my then one-month-old in her car seat, which fits into the stroller. I was worried about her getting too hot, so I stuck an ice pack into the back of the car seat, under the cloth. I didn't want it to be too cold, so I only used one and I put it under two layers of cloth. However, it didn't keep her cool enough because she could only barely feel it through the two layers. I ended up carrying her. On a recent outside shopping trip, I used a front-pack carrier. This worked well because we were in and out of stores, allowing her time to cool off while we were inside. It wouldn't have worked, however, if we were going to be outside for an extended period of time, because she would have become very warm in the carrier since it places her next to me and my body heat. While visiting an amusement park the other day, I used a wagon to carry her for part of the day. I attached a canopy to the top so she was in the shade. I laid her bassinet mattress in it and tucked a thin receiving blanket over it. I also pulled it slowly to make sure she stayed safe. This kept her cooler than the stroller or the carrier, but I still made sure we went into the air conditioning regularly so she wouldn't become overheated. Vary your travel methods according to the situation, but focus on keeping your child cool. May your arms enjoy the rest, and may you both enjoy the summer! |
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