It is a very common symptom and linked to different causes, from temperature changes to fever. How to distinguish the cases in which this phenomenon appears for normal and physiological causes from those that instead require greater attention and a medical consultation in a short time?
Serena is 20 days, the mother started to take her a few walk, well dressed as she is winter and it’s cold outside. However, note that very often the cheese of the little girl are blushinga phenomenon that comes and comes when it enters and leaves the shops. The same reaction on the cheeks is noticed by the parents of little Tommaso, who is putting the first teeth, but this time the cold seems to have nothing to do with it. And it is also noticed by those of Margherita, who for some days has had some blood streak in the stool.
The red cheeks in the newborn and infant are a common phenomenon Sometimes associated with fever, but which can occur in numerous situations even without any increase in body temperature. Let’s see together what are the most frequent causes of this phenomenon.
Why do the red cheeon cheeks come?
There are different causes of red cheeks in babies and infants. Let’s see how to identify them.
The first thing to do is measure the baby’s body temperature with a thermometer. In the presence of fever, if the child is very small (first 2 months of life) or if they also appear Other symptoms of malaise (it does not feed, it is mogio and/or plaintive, wet less diapers), it is important to make it visit in a short time by the pediatrician to identify an ‘possible infection. If, on the other hand, the temperature is normal but the child seems hot to the touch, most likely the red cheeks are due to the fact that it is too covered. In this case, if you are at home, just undress it or Remove a layer of clothingif instead you are outside – perhaps under the sun – you can move to a point or in a cooler environment.
Speaking of the temperature control to the touch, let’s always remember to touch the child in a central area, for example behind the neck. There circulation of the most peripheral areasin fact, in infants is not yet fully developed, therefore if we touch the little hands or feet, which are cold even when the body temperature is optimal, we will almost certainly run into a wrong evaluation.
Also the Excessive cold and the wind are among the causes of red cheeks in babies and in the infants. In fact, both favor the evaporation of water vapor from the skin leaving it strongly dry and dehydrated, and this can cause not only redness but also a slight chapping.
As well as the heat and excessive cold, also the temperature changes They can give rise to a redness on the boy’s cheeks, a particularly frequent condition in winter when you enter and leave the shops or other places closed too heated (as in the case of little Serena).
What do the red cheeks mean in the newborn?
If the redness is characterized by appearance of small dotsand if accompanied by redness also in other parts of the face, it is good to consider the hypothesis that it is neonatal acne. This condition is due to one production of hormones On the part of the mother and the child and usually occurs in the first weeks after childbirth, and then disappear after a few septumans. Here, in addition to the redness, the dots appear in relief and often with a white or yellowish puntina (they look like small pimples). Similar is the Southamine or Miliariaalso characterized by whitish bubbles and in relief in the areas of the body that tend to warm up more, such as neck, neck, armpits, groin, folds of elbows and knees, but which often also affects the skin of the face. Both these situations are Benigne and disappear on their ownjust follow simple precautions.
In the older child (starting from 2-3 years of age) with fever and red cheeks there is a specific condition that must be excluded, namely the fifth illness. It is an exanthematical disease with an influenza-like symptoms (there are often also sore throat, colds, headache), has a benign course and usually heals over two to three weeks. The therapy is only supporting and aims at control of fever (if you bother the child), of any associated and itching pains.
Another common cause of red cheeks in the child without fever can be the appearance of the first teeth. This phase is in fact accompanied by a copious production of saliva which, out, deposits on cheeks and chin and, drying out, can irritate the skin of the child.
Starting from 3 months of age Then there is, among the causes, atopic dermatitis, an often chronic skin condition, also called eczematous dermatitis or more simply eczema. In this case the patches will be red, with skin above dry, rough and often itchy, the latter symptom that can also occur at night and cause an important discomfort to the child. The location on the face is often accompanied too at the level of the knees and elbows.
How to pass the red cheeon cheeks
There are many Remedies for the newborn red cheeksas many as the causes of this phenomenon.
In some cases nothing will be needed: we have seen that one of the causes is the simple variation in temperature. If it is full winter and we just came out of a well -heated environment to find ourselves outdoors with a rigid temperature, It is normal for the newborn to have red cheeksjust as it is normal and intuitive to understand that there is no need for any therapy, except adapting the clothing of the baby to the external temperature, avoiding covering it too much or too little.
As for the rash with “slapped cheeks” Typical of the fifth disease, also here, as mentioned, there is no need for any therapy, if not support (antipyretic, possibly for fever, itching, etc.).
In the case of a dentition rash It will be sufficient to keep the face as dry as possible, perhaps using a bib which, however, should not be passed with too vigor in the driest areas, since in this way there would be injuries and splitting on the skin.
As for theeczemathe treatment must be targeted and recommended by a professional (pediatrician or dermatologist).
What are the situations of red cheek in the newborn or infant who require greater attention and a medical consultation in a short time? AND It is advisable to warn the pediatrician if the skin presents cracks or bleedingin these cases, in fact, the application of creams or ointments could encourage the onset of infections of the affected areas. In the same way, if signs of an ongoing infection (presence of swelling, pus, bad smell) are necessary to appear, it is necessary Contact your pediatrician as soon as possible For appropriate therapy, in order to prevent the infection from spreading to the surrounding fabrics.
