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Teething rash: what is teething rash, what does it look like & how to treat it

05/03/2020

Teething is a difficult part of your baby’s development. Their tiny mouth is in a lot of discomfort, which is painful both for baby, and for parents to see, plus there are the various ‘issues’ that come along with it, such as sleepless nights and teething rash - a common baby skin condition and rash.

  • 1. What is teething rash?

  • 2. What does teething rash look like?

  • 3. How to treat teething rash

  • 4. Teething rash treatment & prevention

1. What is teething rash?

Teething rash is caused by excess saliva that babies produce when teething, which then irritates their sensitive skin.1

2. What does teething rash look like?

Teething rash is redness on the skin around your baby’s chin, mouth, cheeks and neck.2

3. How to treat teething rash

The best course of action when trying to avoid teething rash is to keep baby’s skin as dry as possible, without irritating it further. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) suggests gently wiping your baby’s skin with a clean soft cloth to keep the area dry without causing them any discomfort2. WaterWipes vegan, cruelty-free and sensitive baby wet wipes help to do this by offering a gentle way to clean baby’s skin.

4. Teething rash treatment & prevention

Applying bland ointments around your baby’s mouth is one way of avoiding or keeping teething rash to a minimum. The NCT recommend petroleum jelly, but speak to a pharmacist, GP or pediatrician for their recommendations. Additionally, try to avoid or at least limit time using a dummy if you use one, as this can 'lock in' wetness around the mouth.

Ultimately, teething rash isn’t nice for your baby, but it’s also nothing to worry about and will pass in time. However, if you do think your baby’s flushed cheeks are caused by something different, such as a fever, do consult a healthcare professional.

For more advice on this (often challenging) time, read our article on teething symptoms and pain relief.

Now that you're more familiar with what teething rash is and how to prevent it - why not check out our other articles on our Parenting Community for more information on baby skin and newborn development:

References
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1) Pharmaceutical Journal. Tooth Eruption and Teething In Children. Available at: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/tooth-eruption-and-teething-in-children. Last accessed 27th April 2021.

2) NCT. Teething Rash: How To Help Your Baby. Available at: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/teething/teething-rash-how-help-your-baby. Last accessed 27th April 2021.