Introduction

Childhood is a period that is typified by change and these changes are due to the infants themselves and their immediate environments. Some of the changes found in children are as well related to their health. They tend to come down with sicknesses that are either common or uncommon to adults. Parents must understand health changes in their children from conception. Children develop common communicable diseases such as measles, chickenpox, and drool rash. These infections can cause so much harm to your baby’s general health. We as parents do not want anything to affect their skin. This is why proper care of your kid’s skin should be paramount to you.

The focus of this article is on drool rash. This is common in young children at the stage when their teeth are coming in. It even signifies the fact your child is ready to eat solid foods. It is nothing to worry about. Parents or caregivers can give the needed relief to their children with proper medical care and simple home remedies.  

In this article, we will explore the definition of drool rash, what are its likely causes, what’s the differences between drool rash and eczema, and how drool rash can be prevented. We’ll also talk about simple ways to treat drool rash at home, and when you should see a doctor with your baby. 

Table of Contents

• What is Drool Rash? 
• What Causes Drool Rash?
• Differences Between Drool Rash and Eczema
• How Can I Prevent Drool Rash?
• Simple Ways To Treat Drool Rash At Home?
• When Should I See A Doctor? 
• Conclusion

What is Drool Rash? 

Drool Rash, also known as sialorrhea, is a type of contact dermatitis and a common sickness in healthy infants. It usually appears as red and swollen spots on your baby’s skin. It is not linked to any underlying disease in any way as it is a natural effect, and it can also take effect as a side effect of teething in children. 

Teething in children refers to when their teeth start to break through their gums and they can develop drool rash way before teething starts and still experience it after teething ends. Drool rash can be a result of your child having too much saliva around or on the surface of their skin. It can show up around their mouths, on their cheeks, on their chest, or in the folds of their necks. Furthermore, drool rash is not contagious and often stops when kids are around 15 to 18 months old. However, it can be painful, cause red bumps on their faces, cheeks, neck folds, or chest and make them uncomfortable.  

What Causes Drool Rash? 

Children have very delicate and fragile skin. Thus, they are prone to several kinds of rashes such as heat rashes, eczema, acne, and so on. However, drool rash can be a result of various causes as explained below: 

Teething

Teething is the eruption, breaking out or growth of teeth out of the gum in children. Babies can start teething between the fourth and tenth months.  Teething can include symptoms such as irritable or swollen gums. Babies can find it very hard to sleep and refuse to eat as a result of gum discomfort. 

 As stated earlier, drooling is a side effect of teething. While children have teeth, they tend to want to gnaw on their hands, fingers, or a teether to help them soothe the tingly feeling or pain in their teeth. As a result, they get saliva from their mouth all over their faces, cheeks, neck folds, and on their chests. 

Pacifiers 

Pacifiers are used to soothe fussy babies as well as offer temporary distractions to them. They can also be used to help your baby fall asleep and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. However, these disposable objects can have negative effects on your child such as increasing the risk of middle ear infections, and can also have them cry at midnight when pacifiers fall off the mouths of babies who are used to sleeping with it. It can also cause dental problems and disrupt breastfeeding.

Ultimately, using pacifiers can also cause drool rash as the saliva from your baby’s mouth, isolated in one area by the pacifier can be the cause since they are not getting much air. 

Food

While your baby is eating, you must have cleansing wipes to wipe off smeared food from their mouths. This is because if the smeared food is left for too long on their mouth surfaces, it can cause them to develop a drool rash.  

Differences Between Drool Rash and Atopic Eczema

Drool rash and atopic eczema look very similar in babies. At times you may begin to wonder if your baby has drool rash or atopic eczema. So why don’t we explore the differences between drool rash and atopic eczema to help you identify which it is if your baby ever comes down with one. 

• Drool Rash normally goes away after a short period while Atopic Eczema on the other hand can be chronic and can also be lifelong at times. 
• Drool Rash affects parts of the body stained with saliva such as the mouth, cheeks, neck folds, and chest. Atopic Eczema, however, can develop on any part of the body but it mostly affects elbows, knees, arm joints, leg joints, cheeks, forehead, scalp, and other skin creases. 
• Drool Rash is caused by saliva on skin surfaces while Atopic Eczema is caused by allergies. 
• Drool Rash is common among babies that are within four(4) and ten(10) months of age. Atopic Eczema on the other hand can affect anyone of any age. 
• Drool Rash has a rough appearance on the skin while Atopic Eczema makes your baby’s skin dry, itchy, and scaly. 

How Can I Prevent Drool Rash?

There is no way you can stop your child from drooling since it is a sign that they are ready to eat solid food. You can, however, prevent them from developing rashes from that effect. Highlighted below are the various ways you can prevent your child from developing a drool rash:

Use Their Bibs

Yes! Use their bibs. Once you discover that your child is drooling to the point of having his or her neck folds, mouth, cheeks, or chest soaked, put their bibs on them. Make sure you also remember to remove their bibs before they get too wet so that their saliva would not leak on their skin. This will protect your child from developing drool rashes. 

Ensure Your Baby’s Skin is Kept Clean and Dry

The best preventive method you can use to prevent your child from developing a drool rash is to ensure that his or her skin is kept clean and dry. Your baby’s mouth, cheeks, neck folds, and chest are very delicate and sensitive parts of his or her body. As such, these parts are susceptible to irritation easily. 

Always keep cleansing wipes with you everywhere you go. These will keep your baby clean and hydrated. You have to stay proactive and determined to keep your baby’s skin as clean and hydrated as possible. This will help you to prevent them from developing drool rashes. 

Use A Teething Ring or Cold Washcloth

Drool rash may be a result of teething. You can soothe their discomfort and control their drooling by offering them something cold like a teething ring or a cold washcloth. It is this coldness that will then soothe the swollen gums as well as provide relief for them if they already have these rashes. It is possible that you still notice your child drooling even after offering them this, do not panic. Pat the area where they have drooled dry and apply soothing moisturizing cream to moisturize the spot and to protect their sensitive skin. 

Simple Ways To Treat Drool Rash At Home

Clean The Affected Area Twice Per Day

When your baby has developed a drool rash, you should clean the affected area twice per day in between bath times. You have to keep their skin free of saliva. This is an effective home strategy for treating drool rash. Gently wash the affected part and pat afterward.  

Keep Your Clean Cloths or Wipes Close 

It is essential that if you’re on the go with your baby, your clean clothes and baby wipes must be kept close. In cases where your baby reacts to either of these or they worsen the situation of your baby, try using plain water or a soft dry cloth to keep them clean once any drool appears. 

Apply An Emollient

Applying an emollient, ointment, or barrier cream can also help in keeping, protecting, and healing your baby’s skin. It is also advisable that you contact your doctor before applying any cream to your baby’s skin, especially to their mouth, which serves as a place where food enters their body. 

Clean and Sterilize Baby’s Bottles and Pacifiers 

Ensure to keep your baby’s bottles, toys, and pacifiers clean. This is to prevent these toys from being the cause of the rash on their skin. Also, when you notice that your baby’s toys, bottles, or pacifiers are worsening his or her situation, you should replace them or reduce the way they use them.

Do Not Use Harsh or Irritating Substances on Your Baby’s Skin 

Avoid using harsh or irritating substances on your baby’s skin. These substances include detergents, soaps, scented lotions, and more like these. 

When Should I See A Doctor? 

You should schedule an appointment with a doctor if your baby has any of the following symptoms: 

Unusually Irritable and Fussy 

If your baby is unusually irritable and fussy, then their drool rash may have gone beyond the mild stage and needs proper medical attention. Yes, drool rash is common in children and can be treated at home. However, do not think you can handle it alone. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if your baby shows any sign of unusual irritability or fussiness. 

Has A Fever

Drool Rash shouldn’t make your baby have a fever despite it making your child irritable and uncomfortable.  However, if this is the case for your baby, you should see a doctor in time to examine your child for other reasons why your baby has a fever. 

Has Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing 

As stated earlier, drool rash is not linked to any serious medical condition. So if your baby has difficulty in breathing or swallowing food items, you should see your doctor immediately. 

Refuses to Eat or is Eating Less

Eating less or refusing to eat at all might be a sign that there is something more than just the drool rash affecting your baby. It is very normal for parents to get uneasy and concerned when their children do not eat or eat little. This may sometimes cause them unrest. However, keep calm and see your doctor to find out what is wrong with your child and how you can help improve their appetite. 

Has Severe, Itchy, or Painful Rash

It is also advisable that you see a doctor when your baby’s rash starts getting worse or seems unusually itchy and painful.  

Conclusion

Drool Rash for babies can be such a discomfort. Whatever the cause may be, either teething or pacifiers or your baby got it from smeared food on his or her face, you should pay keen attention to your baby. This will help you discover the best methods to take care of their skin.

Furthermore, ensure to use soothing ointments or moisturizers and gentle baby wash on the delicate skin of your baby. You cannot just use any product on their skin since they are still very fragile. Remember to always keep the delicate areas of your baby’s skin dry and clean. When you follow the steps given in this article, you are helping your baby in their journey to comfortable and rash-free skin.

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