Heat-Related Skin Bumps (Miliaria) in Baby

Baby Heat Rash (Prickly Heat / Miliaria)

Heat rash happens when sweat gets trapped under your baby's skin, causing tiny red bumps or blisters, usually in skin folds or areas covered by clothing. It is harmless and clears up quickly once your baby is cooled down. Dressing your baby in one layer more than you would wear is a good rule of thumb to prevent overheating.

Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) in Babies

Heat rash, also called prickly heat or miliaria, occurs when sweat glands become blocked and sweat gets trapped under the skin. It appears as tiny red or pink bumps, often in skin folds and areas covered by clothing. Heat rash is very common in babies because their sweat glands are still maturing, and it typically clears up on its own once the baby is cooled down.

Baby Rash That Appears Only at Night

Rashes that appear or worsen at night are often related to warmth from bedding, dust mite exposure, or the body's natural increase in itch sensation during the evening hours. Eczema and hives are particularly known for being worse at night. Ensuring a cool sleeping environment and washing bedding frequently can help.

My Baby Has an Extra Nipple (Accessory Nipple)

Accessory (supernumerary) nipples are one of the most common minor congenital findings, occurring in about 1 in 18 people. They appear as small, flat, often pigmented bumps along the "milk line" — an embryonic line running from the armpit to the groin on each side. Most people mistake them for moles. Accessory nipples are almost always harmless and require no treatment. In rare cases, they may be associated with kidney abnormalities, so some pediatricians recommend a renal ultrasound if one is found, though this practice varies.

My Baby Was Born with a Raw Spot on Their Scalp (Aplasia Cutis)

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a condition where a baby is born with a small area of missing skin, most commonly on the scalp. It occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births. The affected area may look like a raw wound, an ulcer, or may have already healed into a thin, shiny scar by the time of birth. Most cases are small, isolated, and heal well with basic wound care — the area eventually forms a hairless scar. Larger defects or those associated with other findings may need more investigation, but isolated small ACC has an excellent prognosis.

New Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in Children

Treatment for atopic dermatitis in children has advanced significantly in recent years. While moisturizers and topical steroids remain first-line treatments, newer options include non-steroidal topical medications (like crisaborole), biologic therapies (like dupilumab, approved for children 6 months and older), and JAK inhibitors. Most children's eczema is well-managed with basic skin care and mild topical treatments, but these newer options provide hope for moderate-to-severe cases.