How to Treat Neck Rashes for Your Baby

Co-authored by Corey Fish, MD

Last Updated: August 27, 2024 Fact Checked

It can be scary and worrisome to see your baby suffer from a neck rash. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat neck rashes on your baby. The best option is usually to apply over-the-counter lotion or cream. If the rash is heat-related, work to cool your child down by removing clothing, dressing them in cotton or other breathable fabrics, and applying a cool washcloth to your baby’s rash. If the rash gets worse or fails to clear up with treatment, contact your baby’s doctor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Over-the-Counter Treatments

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1
Use a mild unscented baby wash during bathtime. Specific directions for use vary depending on the product you use, but generally, you can apply a bit of the baby wash to a soft, damp washcloth, then rub it into a light lather. Use the washcloth to gently wash your baby’s rash.^{[1]
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- Unscented baby washes are gentle and designed specifically for sensitive baby skin.
- After washing your baby’s neck, rinse it with cool water and pat gently. Allow some of the water to evaporate from your baby’s neck naturally to relieve inflammation.
Moisturizers can help your baby recover from a neck rash. While the specific directions for use vary depending on the product you use, you can generally rub a thin layer of your moisturizer onto your baby’s neck after bathing them.^{[2]
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3
Apply a skin protecting ointment to your baby’s neck in a thin layer. A & D ointment, Aquaphor, or a similar product can heal chafed, dry skin. Apply a bit of either product to your fingertip and rub it across your baby’s rash.^{[3]
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- Calamine lotion (typically used for treating minor rashes and skin irritations) can be used on your baby’s neck in the same way.^{[4]
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4
Use hydrocortisone cream if other treatments don’t work. Hydrocortisone is a strong medication used to restore skin to a healthy state. Place a small amount (about the size of a pea) on your fingertip, then spread it in a thin layer across your child’s rash.^{[5]
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- Don’t use hydrocortisone cream on your baby’s face. Doing so could lead to adverse reactions.
- Hydrocortisone cream is only meant for short-term use. If you find yourself needing it more than a few days, see your doctor for a long-term solution.
- Babies under the age of 2 should not use over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1%, unless it's prescribed by the doctor.
5
Apply yeast infection cream to your baby’s neck for a yeast, Candida, or fungal infection. If your baby has been diagnosed by a doctor with a neck rash associated with a yeast infection, you could treat it with a yeast cream. The application method for yeast infection creams varies somewhat based on the specific product you use. Generally, however, you can simply apply a dollop of the cream to your fingertip and massage it gently into the skin your child’s neck.^{[6]
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- Anti-fungal creams like Lotrimin might also be useful if your baby has a yeast-related rash.
- Your doctor will recommend the best over-the-counter cream after they diagnose your baby’s yeast-related neck rash.
- Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after applying the cream because these infections spread easily. Don't touch anywhere else on your baby or yourself before cleaning your hands.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Medical Treatment

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Call your doctor if the rash lingers. If heat rash is not improving noticeably after several hours, consult your pediatrician. The rash could be the product of another condition.^{[7]
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- Other common causes of rashes are dermatitis, eczema, contagious skin conditions, impetigo, communicable diseases, and other inflammatory disorders.
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Contact your doctor if the rash is getting worse. If the rash on your baby’s neck has gotten redder or appears cracked or weepy, contact your doctor. You should also seek medical attention if your baby is crying due to apparent irritation caused by the rash.^{[8]
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- Keep in mind that conditions like impetigo can spread quickly and become serious. In the case of impetigo, the rash will become a weeping sore after a few days.
3
Take note of important information that your pediatrician might be interested in. Keep track of when the rash first appeared and how the affected area has spread or shrunk. Other questions your doctor might want to know include:
- Has the rash gotten worse or better?
- Has the rash ever felt hot?
- Has your baby been more irritable and fussy since the rash has appeared?
- Have you begun giving your baby any new foods, medications, or formulas?
4
Use a medication to control medical conditions that may have caused the rash. If your baby’s doctor determines that the rash is caused by an underlying medical condition (eczema or psoriasis, for instance), they will probably recommend a corticosteroid cream or ointment.^{[9]
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- Use directions for corticosteroids and ointments vary depending on the product you’re using, but you can usually just rub a thin layer of the ointment over the affected area.
- For more information on preventing neck rashes, skip to the next section.
It is common for newborns to have some redness in the creases of their necks. The redness is caused by a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis and should disappear on their own. If they remain 1 or 2 weeks after your child’s birth, contact your pediatrician.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Neck Rashes

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Keep your baby's neck clean and dry. The skin is less likely to develop a rash if it's clean and dry. Newborns only need a bath 3 times a week until they are able to crawl, but you should still wipe them down.^{[11]
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- If you want to bath your baby more often, that's okay as long as your baby's skin doesn't become dry.
Don’t allow your baby’s drool to pool on its neck, where it might cause a rash. Use a soft cloth to wipe your baby’s mouth, chin, and neck to prevent the accumulation of drool.^{[12]
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3
Reduce the heat and humidity for your baby. If your baby’s neck rash is heat-related, turn on the air conditioning or a fan. This will help soothe the rash on your baby’s neck.^{[13]
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- If reducing the heat is impossible, take your baby to a cooler location like a shopping center.
There are several ways to cool your baby’s skin. You could, for instance, give them a tepid bath or lay a cool, damp towel across their neck. These cooling actions will relieve the itchiness and irritation of the rash and prevent it from spreading.^{[14]
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If your baby is swaddled in thick blankets or heavy clothing, remove them to allow more air to cool your baby’s neck. Improving the airflow should reduce the severity of the rash.^{[15]
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Cotton absorbs body moisture, which means that the rash will be able to heal without being continually exacerbated by sweat. Cotton is also hypoallergenic, which means it will not cause your baby to develop a rash like some other materials will.^{[16]
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7
Don’t expose your baby to allergens. If your doctor determines that your baby has a food allergy that is causing the neck rash, for instance, keep that food away from your baby and check food labels carefully to ensure that your baby doesn’t accidentally come in contact with it.^{[17]
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Expert Advice

Consider these tips if your baby has a rash on their neck:

Keep careful track of everything you try at home. Write down when the problem started and how long it's been going on, as well as the frequency and quantity of any treatments you've tried. Also, include characteristics like whether it's itchy or painful, or whether anyone else has any similar symptoms in the house.

From Corey Fish, MD

Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can you tell if a rash is serious?

Corey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
Dr. Corey Fish is a practicing Pediatrician and the Chief Medical Officer at Brave Care, a pediatric healthcare company based in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fish has over 10 years of experience in pediatric care and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Fish received a BS in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in 2005, an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2009, and completed his Pediatric Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2012.

Corey Fish, MD

Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare

Expert Answer

If you think the rash might be serious, take your baby in to see their pediatrician. In the meantime, keep careful track of everything you try at home. Write down when the problem started and how long it's been going on, as well as the frequency and quantity of any treatments you've tried. Also, include characteristics like whether it's itchy or painful, or whether anyone else has any similar symptoms in the house.

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Question

What causes a neck rash?

Corey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
Dr. Corey Fish is a practicing Pediatrician and the Chief Medical Officer at Brave Care, a pediatric healthcare company based in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fish has over 10 years of experience in pediatric care and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Fish received a BS in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in 2005, an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2009, and completed his Pediatric Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2012.

Corey Fish, MD

Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare

Expert Answer

A neck rash can be caused by many things. If there's anything new that you're using, like soap, shampoo, lotion, detergent, or fabric softener, this could trigger a rash. New clothes that haven't been washed can also irritate the skin.

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Question

How do I tell if clothing is causing my baby's rash?

Corey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
Dr. Corey Fish is a practicing Pediatrician and the Chief Medical Officer at Brave Care, a pediatric healthcare company based in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fish has over 10 years of experience in pediatric care and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Fish received a BS in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in 2005, an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2009, and completed his Pediatric Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2012.

Corey Fish, MD

Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare

Expert Answer

I would start by washing your child's clothing in a hypoallergenic detergent to see if that helps.

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Always follow product directions for medications, lotions, creams, and other skincare products.

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Warnings

Contact your pediatrician if your baby develops a rash or if you have any concerns.

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Any rash that spreads quickly or makes the baby uncomfortable needs immediate treatment.

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Wash your hands immediately after you apply any creams to your baby to prevent spreading the rash.

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Don't get any creams in your baby's eyes, nose, or mouth.

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