Baby Rashes

• Cradle Cap: thick, yellow, crusty or greasy patches on a baby's scalp. It is a form of scalp psoriasis.

• Nappy Rash: Red and inflamed rash, from prolonged exposure to faecal matter and urine when nappies have not been changed regularly enough.

• Milia: Small white bumps on the nose, chin or cheeks. Usually disappears in a few weeks on its own. Best to wash baby’s face with water or non-irritating soap.

• Baby Eczema: Patches of red, scaly, itchy skin with occasional pus and crusting. May occur due to exposure to irritating substances such as bubble baths or rough fabrics. May also be a symptom of a food allergy.

You may also be surprised to find that many products out there marketed as ‘mild’ or ‘baby’ formulas, are not mild or suitable for baby use at all. Such products have irritating ingredients such as: petroleum based oils, synthetic fragrances, as well as other nasties such as SLS – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – one of the harshest surfactants in existence!

Many adults may not realise that their eczema could have been linked to infant use of soaps with high pH. It was not your parents’ fault, however, since soaps with pH 10 have been around since the 1950s, and are still available for purchase at any local store. The modern consumer now needs to educate themselves to know the difference with newer cleansing technologies. Hope’s Relief Soap Free Cleansing Bar is at least 3 times less drying than heavily marketed baby soaps, which all have pH’s of above 10.