Drooling/Sickness rash on the face, chin and neck?

Dribbling and sickness from repeated reflux sicking up can cause redness around the mouth, chin and neck. Sometimes even behind the ears where acidic sick can creep when baby is lying back. It can be particularly sore if the sickness combines with stomach acids and often presents as an intermittent red rash on a baby’s face.

• Try to keeping baby’s skin clean and dry (including under the chin), will ease it.
• Avoid woollen/scratchy necklines in the clothes and replace bibs that get soaked often.
• Use warm water rather than wipes to clean the skin and reduce irritation
• Wipe the chin after every episode and don’t use a tissue!
• Avoid using perfumed baby bath bubbles. Try an Aqueous cream in the bath instead (soap free)
• Avoid talcum powder around the neck and face after a bath, as it can cause even more irritation
• A barrier cream, such as Petroleum jelly or a zinc and castor oil cream will protect the skin from further redness, but won’t heal.

If the skin is particularly red, try using a natural oil like Olive Oil on the affected area to moisturise it. We found it works really well not only on our daughter with reflux but also with our second daughter who has eczema. My health visitor always advised me to avoid using moisturisers on very small babies.

Any red rash in conjunction with a fever or if baby is unwell with a rash, please refer to your GP immediately.