Newborn Skin: Why Does Redness Occur And Is It Normal?

The skin of a newborn baby goes through many changes in appearance and texture. Skin colour in newborns can vary greatly, from pink and white to yellowish, bluish, or reddish-purple. A newborn's skin is prone to rashes of all sorts, and dryness and flakiness are common. Most of these changes are harmless and will go away on their own, but some may indicate a more serious problem.

Redness is normal for newborns, especially when crying

The skin of a newborn baby goes through many changes in appearance and texture. Skin colour in newborns can vary greatly, even from one moment to the next, depending on the baby's activity level. At birth, a newborn's skin is reddish-purple and turns bright red when the baby cries. This redness normally begins to fade in the first day or two of life.

The skin of a healthy newborn at birth is deep red or purple, and their hands and feet may be bluish. The skin darkens before the infant takes their first breath and cries vigorously. By the second or third day, the skin lightens and may become dry and flaky. The skin often turns red when the infant cries. This redness is caused by the baby's immature blood circulation.

In addition to redness, newborns may also experience rashes, dryness, and other skin conditions. It is common for newborns to develop jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the breakdown of red blood cells. This usually goes away on its own as the baby's liver matures.

Other common skin conditions in newborns include:

• Erythema toxicum: a harmless rash that looks like little red bumps or pustules, often with a white or yellow centre.
• Milia: tiny, pearly-white, firm raised bumps on the face caused by blocked oil glands.
• Cradle cap: a scaly patch of skin that develops on the scalp.
• Stork bites: areas of pink or red on the upper eyelids, forehead, and back of the neck caused by blood vessels close to the surface of the skin.

While most skin changes in newborns are normal, it is important to monitor for any signs of infection or other health issues. If you have any concerns about your baby's skin, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Acrocyanosis causes blue hands and feet

A newborn's skin colour can vary from pink and white to yellowish, and the typical redness. It is also normal for a newborn's skin to be reddish-purple in colour and turn bright red when the baby cries. During the first few days of life, the skin gradually loses its redness.

Acrocyanosis is a condition that causes the hands and feet to turn blue, white, or gray. It is common in newborns but can happen to anyone. Acrocyanosis is caused by a decrease in blood circulation to the skin of the hands and feet. This happens when the arteries tighten for longer than they should, causing the blood vessels to narrow. As a result, the surrounding tissues receive less blood and oxygen and become discoloured. Acrocyanosis is often harmless and goes away once the body warms up, but it could point to an underlying health condition.

There are two types of acrocyanosis: primary and secondary. Primary acrocyanosis is typically not serious and can be caused by a blood vessel abnormality or changes in the environment, such as cold temperatures or emotional stress. It is common in newborns as their circulation changes in the first few hours of life. Secondary acrocyanosis can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. This type of acrocyanosis usually occurs on one side of the body and may cause pain and tissue damage.

The symptoms of acrocyanosis include blue-coloured fingers or toes, cold and sweaty hands and feet, low skin temperature, and swelling in the hands and feet. These symptoms worsen in cold temperatures and improve with warmth. In newborns, acrocyanosis usually goes away on its own or can be resolved by warming the infant's body temperature.

Mottling causes blotchy skin

A newborn's skin goes through many changes in appearance and texture. Skin colour in newborns can vary from pink and white to yellowish, reddish-purple, or even bright red. Mottling, or blotchy skin, is also common in newborns, especially if the baby is uncovered, cold, or ill.

Mottled skin in babies can look blue, pale, or blotchy, and it may be a sign of a serious illness. It is quite common in premature babies in neonatal hospital care. If you notice mottled skin on your baby at home, it is best to call your GP or NHS 111 to be safe.

Mottled skin is often associated with cutis marmorata, a common skin condition in newborns and children. It appears as a pinkish-blue mottled pattern, usually in response to cold temperatures. The condition is benign and does not lead to any complications or require treatment. Warming the skin usually makes the mottling disappear.

Another rare condition that causes mottled skin is cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC), which affects the blood vessels of the skin. It is usually seen at birth or soon after and includes a purplish mottled pattern similar to the fishnet-looking blotches seen in young infants when they are cold. The mottling may be limited to a certain body part or spread over a large area, and it can get larger when the baby is crying or exposed to cold.

Stork bites are red patches on the eyelids, forehead, and neck

It is normal for a newborn's skin to be red. Skin colour in newborns can vary greatly, from pink and white to yellowish to reddish-purple. At birth, the skin of a normal newborn is reddish-purple and turns bright red when the baby cries. This redness gradually fades over the first few days of life.

Stork bites, also known as salmon patches, are red patches often present on a newborn's upper eyelids, forehead, and back of the neck. They are caused by blood vessels close to the surface of the skin and are sometimes referred to as "angel's kisses" when found between the eyes or on the upper lip. Stork bites are very common, occurring in up to half of all newborns, especially those with fair complexions. These marks usually fade by the end of the baby's second year but can occasionally persist into adulthood.

Stork bites are generally harmless and require no treatment. They are simply a result of the stretching of blood vessels and typically disappear within the first 18 months of a baby's life. However, if you have any concerns about your newborn's skin, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Jaundice causes yellow skin

It is normal for a newborn's skin to be reddish-purple in colour, and it can turn bright red when the baby cries. This redness usually lasts for the first few days of life.

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns that causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood, which occurs when there is a high number of red blood cells that are broken down and replaced frequently. Newborns have a high number of red blood cells, and their livers are not fully developed, so they are less effective at removing bilirubin from the blood.

By the time a baby is about two weeks old, their liver is more effective at processing bilirubin, so jaundice often corrects itself by this age without causing any harm. Jaundice can be more difficult to detect in brown or black skin, but it might be more visible on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Other symptoms of jaundice include dark, yellow urine and pale-coloured poo.

There are different types of jaundice, including:

• Physiologic jaundice, caused by an immature liver
• Breastfeeding jaundice, which occurs when a baby does not get enough breast milk
• Breast milk jaundice, caused by a substance in the mother's milk that increases the absorption of bilirubin in the baby's intestine

In rare cases, jaundice can be a sign of an underlying health condition, especially if it develops within the first 24 hours after birth. If jaundice is left untreated, there is a small risk of permanent brain damage, known as kernicterus. Treatment for jaundice may include phototherapy or an exchange transfusion.

Frequently asked questions