Most babies begin teething (when baby teeth grow through the gums) between 6 and 8 months old.
All baby teeth should be in place by the time a child is 30 months old.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of teething rashes.
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Knowing what is causing your childs symptoms can be challenging.
A teething rash produces tiny, red bumps slightly raised off the skin.
It is usually located on an area of the face where your baby drools.
Look for a teething rash on your babys chin, cheeks, or neck.
Causes of Teething Rash
A teething rash triggers when saliva is in constant contact with the skin.
While saliva is important to oral health, it can cause irritation to a childs skin.
That is because saliva often contains bits of food that sit on the skins surface.
It also contains ptyalin, adigestive enzymethat helps with digestion and protects the teeth against decay.
Ptyalin is known to irritate the skin and cause a red rash.
How Is a Teething Rash Diagnosed?
Most babies and children with teething rashes do not need medical care and can be treated at home.
Call your child’s healthcare provider if you are unsure if your baby is experiencing a teething rash.
They will help you determine if your child needs to be seen and what may be causing the rash.
If your child seems to be having trouble swallowing or breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.
How Is a Teething Rash Treated?
Most teething rashes are mild and can be treated at home.
Prevention is the best way to treat a teething rash.
This will prevent skin irritation and redness.
The rash usually resolves on its own once your child starts drooling less.
See a healthcare provider if the rash becomes red, cracked, or painful.
Any signs of infection, like pus or a fever, should also be reported to your provider.
Coping
Teething is an uncomfortable experience for babies.
Remembering that a teething rash is usually not itchy or painful is helpful.
Teething is when a childs teeth break through the gums, which can lead to excessive saliva.
When this saliva comes out as drool, it can irritate the skin.
A teething rash resembles a patch of tiny, red, raised bumps.
It usually occurs on the chin, cheeks, or neck.
If your child is experiencing excess drool with difficulty swallowing or breathing, seek emergency medical care.
A teething rash is usually treated at home with barrier creams.
To prevent a teething rash, gently remove excess saliva from your childs face as often as possible.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Teething.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Baby birthmarks & rashes.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and other Candida infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HFMD symptoms and complications.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Drooling and your baby.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Baby teething pain.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Safely soothing teething pain and sensory needs in babies and older children.
2021;101(6):2182-2193. doi:10.1002/jsfa.10870
