New teeth normally erupt in babies’ gums six to 24 months after birth. When they pop up, they cause babies to drool a lot more than usual. However, excessive drooling may irritate their sensitive skin and result in rashes called “teething rash” or “drool rash.”
Teething rashes occur when dribbles of drool alongside bits of food cause constant wetness that can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. They often look like tiny, red raised bumps on their face, neck, or chest.
Although harmless, teething rashes can persist, especially with frequent rubbing on the baby’s skin from clothing, playing, and hugging. Here are ways to treat them safely and effectively at home:
Keep The Rashes Clean and Dry
The simplest way to treat teething rashes is by keeping them clean and dry. Until they clear up, give your baby a daily bath. Use warm water, a gentle nonsoap cleanser, or a mild, fragrance-free soap.
One of the most recommended baby-friendly soaps is from Dr. Talbot’s. To purchase, simply visit their site or other online shopping stores and look for Allergy Medicine for Infants
Besides washing, always keep a clean burp cloth or rag ready to wipe the drool off your baby’s face. Remember to do it gently. Massaging the irritated area with clean gauze to reduce inflammation is also recommended. You can use your finger, but be sure that it’s clean.
Apply Emollient Creams
Emollients are ingredients commonly found in skin products. Creams with these substances tend to form a protective film on the skin to trap moisture, keeping it hydrated. That’s why emollient creams are also called barrier creams.
For babies, emollient creams can provide a water barrier that can keep the area with teething rashes dry and clean. They can also prevent teething rashes from occurring by keeping your baby’s drool from irritating their sensitive skin.
However, be careful about which emollient creams to use on your baby. It’s always recommended to consult a pediatrician first. They usually prescribe a healing balm or a natural moisturizer, such as shea butter.
If you can’t see a doctor yet, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) advises dabbing petroleum jelly around the irritated area, ideally when the baby goes outside or before bed. Healthline also recommends the following:
- Aquaphor
- Lansinoh lanolin cream
- Vaseline
Remember to avoid using any scented skin products on your baby. Products containing dyes, fragrances, and chemicals can be extremely irritating to their delicate skin, so they could be worse when they’re applied to their teething rashes. If they already have allergies, these substances may also cause flare-ups as bad as life-threatening breathing problems.
Instead, opt for dye-free, fragrance-free emollient creams with natural ingredients. Before applying them on the rashes, make sure to wipe any drool off your baby’s face first. Once dry, apply the cream, ideally multiple times a day. It’s recommended to do this with every diaper change.
Give Babies Teething Rings
To avoid excessive drooling that causes teething rashes in the first place, give your baby a teething ring. They can be safely chewed by babies, helping them ease the discomfort caused by teething.
It’s recommended to cool the teething ring or other kinds of teethers in the fridge first before giving it to your baby to use. The cool temperature can help relieve your baby’s sore and painful gums, which are, unfortunately, normal symptoms of teething.
However, don’t completely freeze it or put it in the freezer. When frozen, it becomes too firm, which can bruise your baby’s gums. It can also cause frostbite on their lips or gums. Always read the instructions that come with it to know how long you should cool it.
Apart from freezing teething rings, here are other things you need to avoid:
1- Toxic Chemicals - Some teething rings and teethers contain phthalates, also called bisphenol A (BPA) or sometimes fragrance. They’re added to plastic products to soften them, but they’re dangerous to babies once ingested. Carefully read the labels of the teething rings and other teethers to avoid them.
2- Liquid-Filled Teething Rings - Since teething rings are meant to be chewed by babies, there’s a possibility that teething rings will break out. When the liquids spill out, they can present choking hazards for babies. Instead of liquid-filled, opt for teething rings made of natural rubber.
Moreover, many parents use teething gels as an alternative to teething rings. However, note that there’s a lack of evidence that they’re effective. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discouraged their use as many of them contain benzocaine, which can be toxic to babies. Hence, experts recommend that parents use non-medical ways for teething first, such as teething rings.
Final Thoughts
It’s crucial to distinguish a teething rash from another potential or underlying condition. While many baby rashes are harmless, it’s still better and safer to contact your pediatrician to confirm what kind of rash your baby is getting and get a prescription for it.