Around the time our baby was 30 days old, a red rash began to appear on his face and all over his body. I thought it was the heat rash I had only heard about, so I rushed him to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed it as a heat rash and prescribed oral medication and an ointment.
After mixing the medicine into his formula and applying the steroid-based ointment for about three days, the rash miraculously cleared up. But our relief was short-lived. About three weeks later, the same symptoms reappeared.
I searched online and found countless articles advising parents to keep the room cool since babies have high body temperatures, and there were endless ads for soothing gels. We went back to the hospital, and the doctor gave us a similar prescription. Just like before, the rash improved in a few days. This time, we lowered the indoor temperature even more and bought some highly-rated soothing gel, applying it frequently. Yet, about three weeks later, the rash returned once again. The doctor even mentioned it could be atopic dermatitis, and the word "atopy" filled me with dread.
Frustrated by the recurring symptoms despite all our efforts, I came across an article online where a doctor had advised a parent to wash their baby with only water, avoiding all body wash and shampoo. It made me wonder: If heat rash is caused by blocked sweat pores, would applying soothing gel really help?
I convinced my wife to trust me for just one week. From that day on, we washed his hair and body with only warm water. Within three days, we started to see a change. After a week, his skin was clear as if by magic.
I realized then that a baby's skin can be so sensitive that it reacts even to products specifically made for babies. The mysterious rash that had plagued our family for months was solved with the simple method of washing with only water. Now, just to be safe, we use a mild baby soap once a month to wash away any potential residue, and we are careful to moisturize his skin well afterward.