My Baby Has Heat Rash

Question: My 2-week-old baby is breaking out in heat rash with pus. I usually dress him in a cotton tee/romper, diaper and muslin cloth swaddle. But he still perspires a lot even in an air-conditioned room with fan. Should I just stop swaddling him?

Answer: The description of new rashes with “pus” in a 2 week old baby is suggestive of erythema toxicum. These are common rashes in newborns, which are “angry” looking, but are actually benign and not indicative of infections. Whilst the actual cause is not known, expectant treatment is advised as the rashes usually resolve in the first 2 months spontaneously. Should the rash be persistent, consult your doctors. It is observed that swaddling infants make them sleep better and reduce startle responses. However if you assess that your baby does not like it, or cause overheating and sweating, you can stop it.

Dr Liew Woei Kang
Paediatrician
Sub-specialty in Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology
SBCC Baby & Child Clinic, Asthma, Lung, Sleep & Allergy Centre

Practice Address
SBCC Baby & Child Clinic
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre #12-14
Singapore 228510
Tel: 6732 2292/ 6397 6966 (Hotline)
Email: info@sbcc.sg