Baby Drool Rash: Treatment and Prevention

Baby drool rash is a very common problem in babies and toddlers, which requires mothers to be extra cautious and peculiar. Especially during the time of teething, when your infant drools a little more than usual, you should be familiar with all the ways you can prevent and treat baby drool rash!

5 Effective Ways to Treat Baby Drool Rash

Baby drool rash is generally harmless, except causing a minor discomfort or pain to your little one. However, if not treated immediately, it can result in impetigo – a contagious bacterial skin infection. Below given are some simple and practical steps you need to take to treat baby drool rash.

Use a Protective Lotion:

If the drool rash is particularly bad, apply a thin layer of skin protection lotion (such as a sanative ointment or hypoallergenic cream) gently onto the affected area of your baby's skin. The protective lotion will soothe the irritating drool rash, and will also prevent it from becoming even worse over time.

Apply Moisturizer:

Another effective way to treat baby drool rash is applying a bit of Vaseline or Aquaphor petroleum jelly onto the irritated area. A gentle moisturizer not only soothes the irritation but also provides a protective barrier between your infant’s skin and the outside environment, which further prevents germs from contacting the skin.

Wipe It Off:

Letting the rash wet for long periods of time can also make your newborn’s skin condition even worse. So what best you can do is keeping the area around his mouth dry at all times. As soon as you notice the saliva is leaking from your infant’s mouth, immediately wipe it away gently using an absorbent napkin or soft towel.

Don't Rub The Area:

While you want to keep the baby drool rash dry all the time, it can be hard for you to not to rub the affected area. Be careful when you’re wiping the drool off of your little one’s face since rubbing the skin hard may lead to increase redness and irritation. Instead of rubbing, pat the affected area dry with a clean washcloth or towel.

Be Consistent:

When your child is teething, excessive drooling is natural and you can’t get rid of it that easily. The main thing here is to prevent the baby drool rash from getting worse, which is possible only with a regular treatment. So be consistent in your treatments and seek your doctor’s help if you find dribble rash severe or difficult to treat.

5 Practical Tips to Prevent Baby Drool Rash

Prevention is better than cure! So, better is to prevent the occurrence of such circumstances instead of treating them. Let's look into a few ways to prevent drool rash in babies!

Keep It Clean and Dry:

The best way to prevent baby drool rash is to always keep your baby’s sensitive skin clean and dry. To do so, you can make use of a soft, absorbent cloth like a handkerchief. Moreover, as a precautionary measure, you can wash the area with lukewarm water at least twice a day. Make sure to gently pat the skin dry every time you wash.

Keep Possible Skin Irritants Away:

Dribble rash is a sign that the baby has a very sensitive skin; hence you should keep all the possible skin irritants away from your little one. At bath time, try to use natural bathing ingredients that are mild and fragrance-free. Avoid using chemical based soaps, shampoos and perfumes because they will only aggravate the condition.

Use Bibs:

Using baby bibs is probably the most effective way to preclude the occurrence of drool rash, especially around the newborn’s neck and chest area. Made of a soft and absorbent material, a bib prevents your little one against wetness caused due to the excretion of saliva and thus ensures he will stay clean and dry at all times.

Absorb the Drool at Night:

Drooling at nighttime may make bed sheet damp and lying on such a wet sheet increases your baby’s chances of developing a baby drool rash. In such circumstances, placing a piece of absorbent cloth underneath your little one’s bed sheet is the most effective way to soak up all the drool and prevent any sort of skin irritation.

Change Out of Baby’s Wet Clothing:

If your little one is not wearing a bib, chances are his clothes will become wet due to frequent dribbles. As wet clothes rub against the skin, make sure to change them as soon as possible to avoid the formation of baby drool rash. Furthermore, to keep your infant on the safe side, try to dress him in soft and skin-friendly clothes.