baby has extremely red weeping creases - mixed advice - what works?!!

[A1983]

My 10 week old son had terribly sore creases behind one leg/knee, his neck on one side and occasionally hid ears. I have been to the doctors on numerous occasions (same Dr) and he has said 'it's extremely common and it's where he is not getting dried properly/sick collecting/sweating' and has given me hydrocortisone cream. This worked for his ears but not his leg and neck, which are permanently weeping/wet and today his clothes have a greenish tinge where it's rubbed against the skin.

I have been bathing him every evening - it's the highlight of his day!!! The only time he smiles ha ha! And as part of a routine which is allowing him to sleep for an 8 hour stretch so reluctant to stop but will do if the baths are making it worse.

Do I need to wash it? Wet wash or dry wipe it?? Keep it dry or put cream on?? The hydrocortisone was simply sitting on the wound. Therefore staying wet. But then it's wet from ooze when I put nothing on it. HELP!! My DD never had this - sore bits yes but they quickly healed up with some nappy cream.

Is it a case of vicious cycle of getting wet or something else? I'll try and post a picture but can I do this from my phone?

The skin is wet, red, shiny, crusty at edges and quite a few layers deep.

Thank you

 

[Shandelion]

My son was bad that way. It took a very long time to go away. His was all in his thighs. I was so sure it would scar...it was so deep in his skin.

If I recall right, I left the sores naked as much as possible. Diaper and pants free. I dabbled the sores dry with a flannel cloth before applying creams. I used the hydrocortisone as often as I dared, very thickly, and alternated with diaper cream when I worried about too much hydrocortisone. It required a lot of reapplication and drying of the area. But I remember it did take so very long to go away. Then one day I couldn't remember the last time I saw it

 

[A1983]

It's hard to air the areas though as so hidden in the fold...I have to pull the skin apart to see it let alone air it? How often did you bath him and how often in a day did you dry him with a flannel then apply creams?

 

[A1983]

4

 

[jodilee6]

Ooh that looks sore, I'd stop with the daily baths and get as much air to it as possible to help dry it out

We get a rash under los chin so I lie him face up across my lap with his head slightly over my leg and he naturally lifts his head allowing me to properly clean, dry and apply cream

If my guy was that bad I'd be cleaning/drying/cream 3x a day until it started healing up

I hope it clears up soon for you

 

[A1983]

Thanks Jodi..I have been doing that twice a day for 2 weeks now plus hydrocortisone! I'm really at a loss. Maybe it's the baths added to that. I'll stop the baths for a few days and see. This afternoon I've aired both until they are dry by angling his neck and straightening his leg (still shiny though as raw skin) BUT after 5 minutes of the folds closing again in his normal position it's wet and weepy again?

 

[_Meep_]

Ouch. That looks fungal to me. I'd go back and ask about that. Maybe try Googling 'baby fungal neck' or something and see if any of the images look similar first?

My girl used to get a very red, sore neck when she was younger/fatter/dribblier and while the skin never actually came off, it was very irritated. We used to slather on a thick layer of Sudocrem, and it really helped the skin to heal.

 

[A1983]

My partner said to leave it completely as wiping it maybe wiping away skin cells which will aid the healing process. I'm so confused as to what to do!!

 

[A1983]

Yes meep my DD was the same but it always healed 24 hours later - this is just relentless and tbh I feel useless. I'm going to make an appointment on Monday for a arcing opinion and ill Google images now, thank you

 

[LoraLoo]

I think fungal too. When my baby had a fungal infection in his bum (red, weepy, bleeding) the hv told me to use a hair dryer n the lowest setting to dry it before applying cream and between bum changes. Id also knock the bathing down as that won't be helping x

 

[_Meep_]

If it is fungal, hydrocortisone will only be helping with any inflammation and itching (he probably isn't coordinated enough to scratch yet though, so it could well be an itchy condition for him without you knowing). If it's fungal he needs an anti-fungal treatment straight away, as it could spread to other places like his mouth or bottom.

 

[bundle4me]

I'd Say use bapantham cream that's for sore skin it works wonders it healed my c section rash over night. Def go to docs again but if that was my lo I'd def use bapantham cream and not bath till its started to heal. X

 

[A1983]

Ok thank you - it's always on s Friday I need to see a Dr!! Will have to wait until Monday now. Do they prescribe the same cream as you can buy over the counter?

He hasn't had a bath tonight so I'll see how it is in the morning. Thank you all

 

[bundle4me]

Are u in the UK? I'm pretty sure u can get it from tesco etc go get some and try it on a small patch to see how it goes but I know it's amazing from other people's experiences to. Doesn't sting like sudocrem. Let us no how you get on x

 

[_Meep_]

You can buy Bepanthen anywhere but not sure what anti-fungal cream you would be given if it is a fungal thing. When I have had thrush (three times - booo) it's either been a pessary or oral tablet treatment. The creams you get for thrush are just to soothe the hideous itch!

 

[_Meep_]

Does Sudocrem sting?? I've been using it on a burn I have on my hip (long story) and I haven't noticed ... LO doesn't seem to mind it either but I feel bad now in case she is just brave lol.

 

[bundle4me]

Well I only no from putting it on some sores I have it burned like crazy but it mite of been cos they were quite open

 

[Shandelion]

I can't see the pics, my internet is too slow.

I only bathed him once or twice per week. Bathing babies too often can remove too many natural oils that they need for skin health. But I know most people bathe their babies much more often; I was at an extreme end of the scale there.

I never, ever wiped the areas dry. Like your husband said, that can wipe away all the healing skin as fast as it returns. I very carefully dabbled it, pressing the flannel down but never wiping. I don't remember how often; he's 1.5 now lol. It's one of those gut instinct things, you know?

I remember being sure that the doctor had misunderstood, that it must be a fungal infection. I already had some topical ointment for thrush, which I used a couple times thinking it would help. Wow, did it NOT help! The area I treated turned excruciating bright red inflamed and pimply. I felt so guilty.

 

[_Meep_]

Wow, and people use Sudocrem for bed sores as part of elderly/disabled care ...

 

[jodilee6]

Do you have a minor injuries clinic, that might be better than waiting until Monday

Or call 111 and get an out of hours gp appointment