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Your doctor may recommend gently cleansing the affected area with a cotton ball soaked in mineral oil and applying a nonprescription zinc oxide cream or ointment to the rash. If the affected area becomes soiled again, cleanse it again with mineral oil and reapply the cream.

If the rash is persistent or severe, or if it worsens, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend other ways to treat the rash at home or may prescribe a cream or ointment to help speed healing. Sometimes diaper rash becomes infected with a fungus called candida. If this occurs, doctors usually recommend a nonprescription antifungal cream or ointment to clear it up.

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is a common, harmless skin condition that affects an infant’s scalp, usually during the first 3 to 6 months of life. Cradle cap, which results from a buildup of oil and dead skin cells, is the most common form of seborrheic dermatitis (see page 1063). The thin, dry scales of cradle cap cause no discomfort for the child.

Symptoms

The initial symptom of cradle cap is the appearance of thin, dry, red, scaly patches on the scalp. The scales eventually become yellow, greasy, crusty patches that can cover the entire scalp and sometimes extend over the eyebrows and behind the ears. Some babies may temporarily lose some hair in the affected area.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose cradle cap, a doctor will examine the baby’s scalp. If your baby has cradle cap, keep the affected area clean and dry by washing it with mild soap and water and drying it gently but thoroughly with a soft, clean towel. If cradle cap is unsightly, your doctor will recommend rubbing the affected areas gently with unscented baby oil or mineral oil and leaving the oil on for a few hours or overnight to loosen the scales. Later, comb the hair gently with a fine-tooth comb to loosen the scales; wash the scales away with a mild shampoo. If the condition recurs, repeat the treatment.

If cradle cap worsens or becomes itchy, or if the scaly patches become soft and begin to ooze yellowish pus, talk to your doctor. These may be symptoms of an infection that requires immediate treatment. Your doctor will prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment to apply to the skin to help relieve the baby’s symptoms and clear up the infection.

Colic

Colic is a common condition in which a baby has episodes of loud, continuous, inconsolable crying with no apparent cause. The condition usually begins when a baby is 2 to 4 weeks old and continues for 2 to 3 months. Episodes of colic usually begin suddenly in the late afternoon or early evening, and last for 3 hours or more. The cause of colic is not known.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of colic are daily episodes of loud, inconsolable crying that last for several hours. The baby may also have a swollen, tight abdomen, and he or she may clench his or her hands and bring the knees up to the chest. The baby’s face may be flushed, but the area around his or her mouth may be pale. Episodes usually end after the baby falls asleep from exhaustion, or when he or she has a bowel movement or passes gas.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A diagnosis of colic is based on the baby’s symptoms. There is no specific treatment for colic, and the condition usually clears up on its own by the time a baby is about 3 months old. Until then, the best way to deal with the problem is to try to comfort or distract the baby without overstimulating him or her. Some babies with colic seem to feel better if they sleep in a quiet room, are handled very gently, and get a lot of attention from their parents. Your doctor may recommend giving the baby a warm bath and providing a quiet, calm environment. Some babies with colic respond well to soft music or white noise, such as the sound of a washer or dishwasher or radio static. Try singing or humming to the baby. Babies often respond to touch or to gentle rhythmic movement, such as softly massaging their back; rocking, slow dancing, or walking while you are holding him or her; or riding in a car or