EELA, NLA & Common skin condition in infants

EELA, NLA & COMMON SKIN CONDITION IN INFANTS

Eela is a common term among the Yorubas used for skin disorders in infants likewise Nla is used by the Ibos.
This terms more commonly refers to a skin disorder called Infantile seborrheic dermatitis (henceforth referred to as ISD). The cause of this disorder is unknown. This rash may be due to child’s response to some organisms in the oily areas of the body namely the scalp, eyebrows behind the ears, or on the neck, cheeks, chest skin folds and diaper area. It’s most common in babies under 6 months.


Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis (ISD)

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis (ISD)
It is characterized by scalyness. On the scalp there may a crusty or paste-like thick dandruff on the scalp (where it’s known as cradle cap). The skin appears fairer and may be reddish.Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis (ISD)

Craddle Cap Dermatitis

What to do: Affected children should be taken to the hospital because some drugs used for treatment by the uninformed can be harmful. Antifungal shampoos are helpful.
What to do: Affected children should be taken to we look at a few of them.the hospital because some drugs used for treatment by the uninformed can be harmful. Antifungal shampoos are helpful.

There are also other common skin conditions in children.
we look at a few of them.

Intertrigo
A rash found mainly in a baby’s skin folds, especially in the neck. It usually appears in chubby babies under 6 months.
It is caused by rubbing of moist skin surfaces. Excessive moisture in these areas result from drool and spitup that collect in your baby’s creases, which don’t get any air.

It looks red, raw, and weepy. It is worse inside the skin creases. It may cause some pain, depending on the amount of skin-to-skin friction in the affected area.

This is the neck fold of an infant.
This is the neck fold of an infant.

What to do: Wash out the inside of your baby’s skin folds with water and apply a zinc-oxide barrier cream, sudocrem or petroleum jelly to protect them. Keep this area clean. Change clothing including the bib when wet.

Prickly Heat

Also known as miliaria, prickly heat rash may occur on the face, neck, back or bottom. It looks like tiny red bumps. May contain small clear fluid.
It is caused by anything that overheats your little one—hot, humid weather; overdressing him in tight clothing or overly warmly.
What to do: Best to prevent it by avoiding overdressing the baby, use loose cool clothing. Cool baths or sponge baths may help. Avoid overheating the environment. You may apply some cool prickly heat powders.

What not to do:don’t use minty (hot) powders on infants.

 

This is a picture of a child with heat rash

 

 

Diaper dermatitis
Primary due to contact with an irritant in this case urine and faeces. It is more common from 7-12months when urine volume increases. Redness and tenderness is noticed in the areas of the body in contact with the diaper.
Notice that the skin folds which are not in contact with the diaper are spared.

In this state, the skin can become infected with bacteria or fungi, then redness is more and it can spread into the skin folds.

Diaper dermatitis
Diaper dermatitis

What to do: Frequent changing of diaper. Keep this area dry and free from irritants. Application of ointment example Vaseline, Sudocrem. If no improvement in a few days please see a doctor for further treatment.
Anything can be a trigger for babies prone to allergic skin disorders and result in dermatitis (those with a genetic predis-position or a family history of allergies). Hot weather can cause sweating, which irritates the skin; cold weather can dry it out. Soaps and clothing, especially wool, can also spark an outbreak.

These other reactions can occur at any part in contact with the irritant eg cheek, trunk, chest etc.
It is best to see a doctor. Such children are better off with soapless cleansers.
Generally mums, these skin disorders look alike. Please feel free to consult your doctors than self medicate.

216 thoughts on “EELA, NLA & Common skin condition in infants”

  1. Akinyemi Bosede

    Good morning ma’am, please my 4 and half years old daughter is having rashes on her body especially her two wrists, I’ve taken her to hospital and we were asked to do some tests which we did,(about 5 different tests) but all to no avail because the result of the tests says she’s okay that nothing wrong with her blood, the doctor now said maybe she’s allergic to something which I don’t know, I even took her to state hospital and they recommended savlon for her, am tired of the whole thing, because this rashes will come and later it will go and this rashes is disturbing her at night because she’s scratching it every time….. Help me on what to do please Mum.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Sorry Bosede for the stress. The truth is some skin conditions may wax and wane that is come and go no matter what you do. Just have to learn how to manage the flare. I will recommend seeing a Dermatologist preferably at the closest Teaching Hospital to you for further management.

      1. Good day Ma
        Please my 5 months old baby is suffering from this ila and it has eaten him deep. Please Ma, can you please describe what I can use to treat it. I can’t even take my baby outside because it is so obvious on his face.

        1. We don’t prescribe medications on the website. You can book consultation online or send us WhatsApp message on +2349056916818

        1. You should see a doctor for the treatment of skin rashes. We cannot diagnose or treat rashes without seeing it.

        2. Please ma my 1 year old baby is having a serious rash all over his body, then i took him to health center they say is skin infection that we should buy mupirocin of which i did still the rash didn’t go. I used Vista plus on him just for two days and it cleared. After few days again the same rash come out, like now am so so tired don’t know what to do. Please ma’am help me out.
          Can teething contribute to it?

        1. We don’t recommend any leaf for bathing any baby for eela or any skin rashes. Please read the article first and see a doctor.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      We call it Septic spots or pemphigus depending on how big it is. You should see a doctor as it will require antibiotics treatment

  2. Ojeleye Abigail

    Good evening doc,i have ela alapadi on my leg for 4 years now,i’ve used different drugs including herbal but it reduce for awhile and comes again.the spots has disfigured my leg.please i need help

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Kindly see a Dermatologist for further evaluation and management. Most Teaching Hospitals have Dermatology Clinic.

      1. Akindipe Kehinde

        Good afternoon ma, my baby of 3 and half months have eela on his head and his chest,pls ma what can I use to treat it

        1. Hello mummy
          If you see this message kindly send me hi on WhatsApp +233241108872
          I have some questions to ask you as I’m also facing the same situation

      2. Thank you paediatrician, pls, I started plaiting hair for my 2 years old baby mid of February,after the 3rd threading I discovered the hair started uprooting from the scalp while loosing and gidingidin always appear on the scalp some few days after plaiting or threading.what is the cause of this, and what can be done?

        1. It is possibly due to too much pressure on the scalp and the introduction of germs from unwashed hands and hairmaking equipment not being washed and sterilised. I will advise you get the current infection treated first and then you can start again when all the infection has cleared. Use baby’s only stuff and not sharing with others. Wash and sterilise the instruments and also ensure you wash your hands and don’t make the hair tight at all.

      3. Please doctor, what’s the English name for ifo.
        And is there anything I can do about it… i think it occurred as a result of the cream I recently changed

      4. Pls my baby. Is 5 weeks and he has rashes that are reddish on his armpits, behind his ear, nappy area and some folded places on his body

        1. You should take the baby to see a doctor who can examine and confirm the type and cause of the skin rashes which will determine the appropriate treatment. Please do not self medicate.

          1. Deborah Praise

            Hello Ma,
            My baby is having this rash on her neck and another type on her legs. Don’t know what to call it. But the one her legs seems to have fluids in it and when it bursts, it spreads. Don’t know what is the cause and would be waiting for your suggestions on what to do. Thank you ma’am.

          2. You should see a doctor for proper evaluation and management. Without seeing the rashes we cannot say what it is or advise further.

      5. Good evening ma….pls my daughter of 5months old have eela but I have used SKINEAL for her but it’s seem like it’s eating her skin it was first on her cheek now it’s on her bumbum……pls ma I need ur help
        Because I don’t know if the SKINEAL is good for her diaper area
        Thank u ma

        1. Please stop using the product and self medication. You should see a doctor for proper evaluation and management of skin rashes

    2. Blessing amarachi

      Plz doc my baby of two months is having severe NRA on her head and face, doctor gave us some antibiotics oral, but its still there, is there anything I can apply on the scalp and skin? Am so worried. First time mum

      1. It is important to see a rash to make appropriate diagnosis as there are different types and of different causes. Kindly see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist first. You can book one on our platform here Book Consultation

    3. Good day Doc. My 8 weeks old baby has the patchy coloration on her nose and anus area. I also nitice that she struggle to scratch her hair when breastfeeding. What do i do

      1. It appears that she has skin rashes and these have to be seen to know what type it is, the cause and the treatment. Kindly see a doctor physically for that. You can book a video consultation on our ATP clinics here

    4. Seyi ayomikun

      Good afternoon ma’am, pls were you able to get rid of the eela alapadi? If yes kindly drop your contact for me cos I need to get rid of this too I beg

      1. You can see a Dermatologist for any skin disease. If you want to book a consultation with our Dermatologist, send a Whatsapp message to +2349056916818

      1. Good afternoon doc,i have ela alapadi on my face for two months now,i’ve used different drugs including herbal but it reduce for awhile and comes again.the spots has disfigured my face.please i need help

        1. I am experiencing Eela Alapadi now on my body. What helped with yours? Kindly reply if u see this. Thanks

          1. Kindly go to a doctor for proper evaluation of your skin rashes and appropriate treatment. We cannot treat you online.

  3. good morning please there’s this yellowness around my baby’s nose and ears which was called eela and I’ve used clotrimazole but it’s still there what do i do??

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      I think it is better if you see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for further evaluation and management

  4. Great Job. Most people usually don’t know the difference between regular doctors and paediatricians. My little experience made me realise that seeing a paediatrician is very different and the best. You are doing something revolutionary here and I salute you.

  5. Mummy Charles

    Pls Dr my son is 3mnth plus he keeps having this boil on his body and head at first I was asked to give him Ampiclux syrup at the health center, it goes and come again I have given him like 3times now the boil is here again but I’m scared the drugs is too much in his system what am I suppose to do now for the boil to go permanently thanks

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Kindly see a Paediatricia first for further evaluation. Meanwhile maintain high personal and environmental hygiene including regular handwashing. Exclusive breastfeeding also protects the baby from such recurrent infection. If you are not exclusively breastfeeding, you will have to consider that as well. All the best Mummy Charles

      1. Tobi Oladapo

        Good evening ma. Pls can an adult have eels and pls ma what shd such person use especially a nursing mother

        1. Well if you read the article, eela is just a Yoruba word for most rashes! If we go by that, then adults can have eela. Anyway both children and adults can have rashes but the causes may be different and approach to treatment different as well. It is better to see a dermatologist for proper evaluation and treatment

  6. Goodday Doctor, please is there any side effect in constantly using baby tribotan cream on an 11month old baby’s skin(nappy area) to avoid diaper rash? I notice that when i stop for sometime, the rash reappears

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Yes!!! There is!!! I have actually written an article to address the danger of use of medications in form of creams as routine creams for babies. Read about it mixing drugs with baby’s body cream

      Get a Paediatrician to treat the rash properly usually for two weeks after which you can now use the regular diaper cream that do not have medications. You must also change the diaper regularly when wet not only when soiled with stools.

      1. Good day doc,my 2 months old baby has NLA ,what can I give her pls,and also my breasts are sore and pains me anytime my baby sucks,what canbi take to ease the pain as I’m doing EBF… Thank you ma.

        1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

          1. For sin rashes, please see a Paediatrician….treatment depends on the type and cause of the skin rashes in the baby.

          2. You have breast engorgement. It usually result from improper attachment of the baby to the breast. Kindly watch all the breastfeeding videos so as to know the right technique. You will need to properly attach the baby to the breasts and breastfeed more frequently so the breasts can be emptied. Most likely the baby is latching to the nipples instead of gripping the areola. Kindly read more about breastfeeding here and here

  7. Good morning doctor. Pls my 3 month old has been passing loose mucoid stool since over a week. I’ve taken him to see a ped and we were given loxagyl and nystatin syrup still he is purging. Pls wat do I do?

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      You need to take him back to a Paediatrician who will further investigate the underlying cause of the persistent diarrhoea. It may not be an infectious c=one

  8. Hello Dr Boye, I’m so pleased with what you’re doing here…
    I have twin girls of 11weeks old but i have a little concern about the first. She “jerks” (i really dunno the right word to use now) a lot and screams in pains most times. I noticed it’s pain from the umbilical. We’ve seen pediatricians in general hospital but they all say it’ll stop with time so long as I’m exclusively breastfeeding. Right till this moment, story hasn’t changed. I feel sorry I can’t help soothe her. Please I need your advice on what else to do.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Kindly take the child to the hospital to see a doctor for proper treatment. Give paracetamol if temperature is high and lot of fluids as well.

  9. thank you ma.my baby is very chubby n we have d ela/alefo at our back,neck and bum bum.i remember cooking red flower several times to bath him while I drink it.yet no improvement,i even used an antibiotic cream but the one at the back is still there.reading your articles has really motivated me to go to general hospital.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Thank you for reading. Please see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for proper evaluation and treatment. All the best!

  10. Pls Dr my 5 yrs old girl recently had something like a burn, round and not too wide. After bursting on its on it became wider and moist. I applied elicartin powder. Its drying off but three more appeared. I am confused

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Rosemary. Please take your daughter to see a Paediatrician so she can be properly treated. Please stop the self-medication as it can worsen the skin problem. Kindly treat as urgent.

  11. Kudos Dr Gbemi, you are the best. May God bless you richly. Only a human with a beautiful heart can do this.

  12. Hi doctor, thank you for your good work, may God strengthen you. Please I have a concern, my baby’s hair is falling off, leaving one side barred. I stopped using the coconut oil am using for her but it persists. What could it be and how can I stop it? Thanks.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Jennifer…It is not unusual for some babies to lose their hair in infancy. It may be due to some of the skin rashes and at times, there is no apparent cause. However, most will eventually grow again so there is no need to worry about it. You can also see a Dermatologist if still worried.

  13. Hi Doc, God bless u for ur good work in ATP, My son of 1week has dis small small rashes on his head ever since I applied coconut oil on his head, pls could dis be nla or just heat rashes or could it be his allergic to d coconut oil

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      It my be a reaction to the coconut oil. Stop the oil and if the rashes disappear then it is most likely the allergic reaction. However there are so many other causes of rashes in newborns that you may just want to see a Paediatrician first to be sure all is well.

  14. Humat Khingis

    Tnx Dr for your immerse contributions, read about dis Eela n I noticed as if my baby has it round her neck n she’s 8weeks n very chubby, but can Eela make babies have restless night?

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Restless nights may not be from the eela, perhaps colic. Read more about colic here

      I hope you are seeing a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for the Eela and it is being properly treated

  15. esther ejiofor

    Good doc pls my 1year and five months daughter keeps having boil all over her body and heat rash, i ve given her antibotics and she sweats alot people say cos she is very chubby am confused pls need help

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Recurrent boils happen in some children for various reasons ranging from poor hygiene, failure to wash hands frequently while touching the baby and poor immune status of the child among other things. The most important thing is to see a Paediatrician.
      Please DO NOT CONTINUE TO USE ANTIBIOTICS indiscriminately. Recurrent boils are also not due to your child being chubby – pure myth! Please see a Paediatrician for further evaluation and management.

        1. A scabicidal agent, such as permethrin, lindane, or ivermectin, is administered to destroy S scabiei mites, with an appropriate antimicrobial agent used as well if a secondary infection has developed.
          Itching may persist for up to a month, even following successful treatment
          Follow-up
          Patients with scabies may need to be reexamined at 2 weeks and again at 1 month after treatment. If a patient has persistent lesions at the 1-month check-up, reinfection or persistent infection should be suspected. In this case, treatment should be reinitiated. The patient’s family or any close contacts should also be examined to check for a source of reinfection. Patients with crusted scabies, especially, should be followed after treatment and may require repeated courses of treatment.
          Deterrence and Prevention
          All household members and close personal contacts older than 2 months and not pregnant should be treated for scabies, even if they have no symptoms or signs of infestation. (Pets do not require treatment.) Detailed directions regarding treatment and environmental control measures should be provided verbally and in writing.
          Instruct patients to launder clothing, bed linens, and towels used within the last week in hot water (60°C or higher) and to machine dry them, the day after treatment is initiated and again in 1 week. Items that cannot be washed may be professionally dry cleaned or sealed in plastic bags for 1 week. All carpets and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed and the vacuum bags immediately discarded.

  16. Good day Doc, thank u ma for the enlightenment. Please my 7weeks old baby has dandruff on her head. What can I do to treat it?
    Thanks

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      You should use the baby shampoo daily and gently comb out the dandruff daily and also use non-perfumed baby oil like olive oil. If no improvement, kindly see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.

  17. Hello Doc, my daughter of 3mths rubbs her eyes alot and I noticed some white patch on her eyelid. I have visited the health center and I was asked to use tiro. Pls what do you advice. Thanks

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      PLEASE DO NOT USE TIRO O!!! THAT IS LEAD POISONING!!! Kindly take her to see a Paediatrician or Ophthalmologist at a Teaching Hospital. It is most likely an allergic reaction but better to see the specialists first.

  18. Anakor Esther

    Good day Doc. Pls my baby is having rashes on her both cheeks, the rashes are tiny and reddish. Pls what do I use?

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      It is better to see a doctor preferably a Paediatrician or Dermatologist who will examine the rashes, make appropriate diagnosis and treat the child appropriately

  19. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

    Some babies can lose their hairs for no apparent reasons or due to scalp diseases (maybe not necessarily with visible scales or rashes).

    You do not have to worry as most of the hair will grow again. If it is really bothering you, you should see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for further evaluation and advice.

  20. Mummy Iteoluwakiishi

    Good morning doc,my baby of 8wks is having re-occurring boil on her head,it first started with her right breast,i took her to the health center,we bought another brand of antibioticfor her cos I told them they already prescribed ampiclox for her at birth and she has used it, e where also told to massage the area affected with warm water which we did and the boil disappear then,the ones on her head is getting much each day,please what should I do cos my mother inlaw said my baby took after her with the boil.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hello Mummy! Kindly take the child to see a Paediatrician immediately. There is nothing genetic or baby taking after anyone in terms of boils. Boils are due to skin infection by bacteria. Kindly ensure that all who touch or carry the child wash their hands very frequently and also use mild antiseptics in the bath water. Make sure all the baby’s clothes and utensils are washed and dried thoroughly. Avoid application of any herbal products and maintain high level of personal and environmental hygiene including regular handwashing. Avoid overcovering the child too. All the best

  21. Kudos Dr. Gbemi! Nice work you have going on here. And as a second time mum I have learnt a lot from response to questions asked and other articles. Pls I want to ask. Does hair loss, bringing out food at intervals, weight loss and white spots on the lap at diaper area have anything to do with EELA? I hear it eats up fat in children too…???

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Thank you for your kind words.
      You are lumping too many different issues together and they are not related at all. Eela as stated in the article is an umbrella term in the Yoruba language for all sorts and types of rashes which are not necessarily the same or have same cause.
      For each of the symptoms you listed, the scalp rash with hair loss has a completely different cause from that of the nappy rashes. Bringing out food or regurgitation has nothing to do with rashes – we call it reflux and all these do not make children to lose weight at all.
      See your doctor for appropriate treatment of the rashes. Reflux usually stops with time and it is nothing to worry about.

  22. Gud day Dr gbemi,my 5weeks old baby face is filled with something that looks like heat rashes, went to see a paediatrician and he said they will clear off on their own but it’s a week now and no positive results.can I use agnesia powder for her,.tanks

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      I think it is better to go back to see the Paediatrician for follow-up before doing anything else!

      1. A scabicidal agent, such as permethrin, lindane, or ivermectin, is administered to destroy S scabiei mites, with an appropriate antimicrobial agent used as well if a secondary infection has developed.
        Itching may persist for up to a month, even following successful treatment
        Follow-up
        Patients with scabies may need to be reexamined at 2 weeks and again at 1 month after treatment. If a patient has persistent lesions at the 1-month check-up, reinfection or persistent infection should be suspected. In this case, treatment should be reinitiated. The patient’s family or any close contacts should also be examined to check for a source of reinfection. Patients with crusted scabies, especially, should be followed after treatment and may require repeated courses of treatment.

        Deterrence and Prevention
        All household members and close personal contacts older than 2 months and not pregnant should be treated for scabies, even if they have no symptoms or signs of infestation. (Pets do not require treatment.) Detailed directions regarding treatment and environmental control measures should be provided verbally and in writing.
        Instruct patients to launder clothing, bed linens, and towels used within the last week in hot water (60°C or higher) and to machine dry them, the day after treatment is initiated and again in 1 week. Items that cannot be washed may be professionally dry cleaned or sealed in plastic bags for 1 week. All carpets and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed and the vacuum bags immediately discarded.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Kindly read the treatment in the article…..treatment of rashes depend on the specific type and cause unlike Yoruba that grouped all rashes together as Eela. It is not necessary to teach a child to sit….the child will sit by himself.

  23. Jumayla Yahya mundi

    Good day Dr. Please Dr what is the treatment for tongue tie? My niece called me crying that her 6weeks baby has tongue tie and might have speech impairment.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      No idea….You need to ask an Hausa person how they refer to rashes. In yoruba eela is non-specific word for all forms of rashes

  24. Good evening doctor, my one month old has 2 soft spots on her head. One extends from her forehead to almost the center, while the other is in the crown ( just where the bishops place their caps. Traditionally, I was advised to massage her head each time she baths so that her head is well shaped. I have been doing so, but on a second thought, I feel itmau not be a safe thing to do becais of the soft spots. Please advise

  25. Good day Dr. My 4 month old son seems to be developing dry skin. The skin wasn’t dry when I had him. It started after I used aveeno baby lotion on him. It came as rashes and it dried up when I used aquaphor ointment to clear it. But his whole body is now getting dry . I complained to his paediatrician and said it might be cos of winter. I bath him with eucirine baby shampoo and rub Vaseline baby jelly on him. Is there something you can recommend. Thanks so much.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Just keep using the moisturizers like vaseline and apply often throughout the day. If you are still worried, you may want to see a dermatologist for further management.

  26. Good evening Doc.
    Good job you are doing ma.
    Please what cream can I use on my baby with atomic dermatitis?
    I have been using Shea butter but it’s still looks dry sometimes.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Dee….You should use hypoallergenic skin products like sebamed, pure vaseline jelly and always ensure there is moisture on the skin often. You should also see a Dermatologist for further management especially when the child has a flare of the condition.

  27. My baby of 10month old is having some reddish rashes in her diaper area. And this is making her feel so uncomfortable she has been crying. Kindly advice on what to do
    Thanks

  28. Please doctor good evening. Pls my son’s skin get red then gets dry and scaly n peels…like in a week it reoccurs lyk after clearing them sometimes it comes with rashes underneath the dry scale and it can be very itchy…i have gone to different hospital please what do you think please…

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Fatima. It looks like your child may have atopic eczema. Kindly see a Dermatologist for further evaluation and management.

  29. My baby is 2month,ever since i gave birth to her she have not sieze to poo and sometimes green mix with catarrh substance i don’t know what to do.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Greenish stools suggest inadequate feeding or what we refer to as starvation stools. I will encourage you to breastfeed exclusively and make sure that the baby empties one breast before switching to the other breast so that she takes both the fore and hind milk as well. At least the baby should suck up to 20 minutes on each breast. Read more here about breastfeeding

  30. Good evening DOc, please my baby is not gaining weight and she had heat rash that I was told it’s eela. Could it be the cause of no proper weight gain . She is 7months old

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hello Jane…You did not specify the current weight of your baby to know if it is okay or not. However rashes irrespective of the type does not cause weight loss or poor weight gain. However children with malnutrition can have skin rashes. I will advise that you take your baby to see a Paediatrician for further evaluation and management. Hope you are given appropriate complementary foods in the right quantities and you are still breastfeeding? Read more here Infant feeding in the first 1000 days

  31. Good day doctor,pls my baby is 6month old,she had a lump on her right breast when she was a month old,which looks infected,and it was surgically removed,but now its recurring on both breast,its not paining her,pls doc,I dont know what to do again.thanks

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Becky….please take her back to the hospital for further evaluation and management.

  32. Helo ma. Please ma what type of oil is safe to use on new Born’s hair since baby oil wasn’t allowed in the hospital or should the hair be left dried till she can use hair cream? Thank you ma.

  33. please my baby’s him him is very red with rashes..can I use tribotan baby cream or agnesia powder

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Neither! See a doctor first to know what type of rash it is and the cause and then the right treatment will be prescribed.

    2. Pls my baby is suffering from nla my doctor gave me ketoconazole but no results.pls I DNT know any dermotologist or paediatric doctor.help me ma

      1. There are Paediatricians and Dermatologists at General and Teaching Hospitals. Kindly see one for your baby’s proper evaluation and treatment

  34. Good day doctor, my 8 month old developed a rash which start as a tiny cut on the cheek but has grown. It’s also I’m her neck area…I noticed one on her head too.it has a burnt patch at the center.Been to the hospital and they said it’s viral, ruled out …I’m giving vit C and applying E45 but it doesn’t seem to be getting better

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      I am sorry I can not remember that now but it is yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin. Please ask those who are deep in Yoruba to tell you.

  35. Good day Doctor, pls my baby will be 11 weeks on Wednesday but she has this thing called Ela/Nla. What drug do you think I should give her. And she has something that looks like dandruff on her scalp. Pls I need ur help. Thanks

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Yes, kindly read the article above for simple things you can do about the dandruff for example using hair shampoo and olive oil and combing out the flakes. For the rashes, treatment depends on the type and cause; you should see a doctor for that as soon as possible.

  36. Ugochi ChimaNwambara

    Good day doctor, my baby is 13months old and for some days now he has been stooling frequently like 4 to 5 times daily but the stool isn’t watery neither is it very formed. It has a little moucoidly green thing in it. I’m a little worried MA, please what do I do? Secondly MA, he has this thing people call Nra on his head. His hair is just as if someone is scraping it from the edge. Please ma I need answers to my two questions cos I’m really worry MA.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      As regards the stools as long as they are not watery, you don’t have to worry but increase the frequency of the breastfeeding and complementary feeds. As regards the rashes on the scalp, you need to see a doctor for proper evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Please avoid self-medication or treatment that may worsen the condition.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      No! You should never use antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. That is self-medication of children and dangerous! Take him to the hospital for evaluation first and the doctors can then prescribe appropriate treatment.

  37. Doctor, please I need your help, my 5months old twins have refused to eat, they stopped taking SMA gold, so I introduced pap (guinea corn & millet) they still refuse it, we force them each time they want to eat please what do i do??? Then their face always turn red when crying right from 1month what’s the cause???

  38. Hello Doc, my baby of 5 months has eela. His hair is receding, the skin parts affected are harder than normal. He now scratches his neck and I noticed rashes around his genitals. Pls what do I do. No doctor seems to know the treatment for eela.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      That sounds like Atopic dermatitis. It is a skin condition that wax and wane; that is come and go as it has no cure but can be managed. Recurrence does not mean your doctors do not know how to treat it; that’s the course of the condition. You may want to also see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for further evaluation and management!

      1. Doc thanks for your response, I have the same issue and have seen a dermatologist, was given hydrocortisone cream, white field ointment and sulphur and it made it worse. Am just tired. What do I do?and it itches him

        1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

          Hi Chiagozie….In that case please STOP the treatment and see your Dermatologist for follow-up immediately!

  39. Dr, please my baby is 7months old and usually has rashes that comes on her face, chest area and hand whenever she sweats, I kept using Visita plus on her but if I just stop using that Visita plus for a day or 2, the whole thing comes back. What do you advice please.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Please STOP the Vista Plus and see a Dermatologist or Paediatrician immediately. Kindly stop loading your baby with unnecessary drugs (they are absorbed into the system from the skin)!!!

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      I am not sure what you meant by “Tanmona” guess Yoruba word for a scalp rash; not sure what kind of rash that is by the way perhaps ringworm? It is better to see a doctor who will physically examine and treat the child as appropriate. All the best!

  40. Good day doc, my daughter of 5months has this NLA on her neck and private part and bum bum ever since she was three months I noticed it I’ve tried visits plus which refuse treating it dont know what else to do. Plz help me.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Anna take her to see a Paediatrician or dermatologist. STOP the self-treatment with Vistaplus. Do it urgently.

      1. Good day Doc my daughter is 3months and has the Nla problem too, it’s too much on her it’s almost all over her body and also puts a yellowish dots on all her body her armpit is also infected her hair is also off by the sides of her ears i have visited doctors here in italy but they don’t know what nla is they gave me a cream that contains aloe vera and a cream named decortil-c

        1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

          Hi Kate….I think you should reuest a referral to see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist. Those specialists are more qualified and know what to do which sometimes the General doctors may not be able to handle.

          1. Good morning ma , i have done that too but no good solution they don’t know anything about it here

  41. Well done doc and kudos on the good work you are doing. Pls my son is 3weeks old and his cord has not dropped. Also he has rash on his face and I am using Johnson products for him and.sm1 said most babies react to it that I should discontinue it. Aveeno and sebamed was recommended but it’s pricey. Pls what kind of soap and lotion can you advice and how can I get rid of the rash? Also is dettol soap to harsh for newborns? I’m sorry for the long post

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Anything that your baby does not react to is fine. You can use natural pure unperfumed vaseline or shea butter. The regular baby soap will do. As regards the cord, keep cleaning with methylated spirit and if it has any sign of infection, please see a doctor immediately. Also for the rashes, see a doctor as well..it can not be treated without being seen.

  42. Weldone doc, pls my son of 4months has eela on d neck and folding areas of d skin, pls wat can be done about it. Also his hair are falling off rapidly.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Susan…You need to see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for proper physical evaluation first, diagnosis and treatment. All the best.

  43. Hi Dr Gbemi, God bless you and your team for all the effort to bring comfort to our doorsteps. Thank you ma for the good work. My baby of 9 weeks have these little rash like small boils. I have changed his toiletries but they still appear again. Please what can I do more the doc recommended ampiclox last week which we used too.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Thank you Sarah! Most boil-like rashes if containing pus are usually due to bacteria infection from the hands of those touching and carrying the baby. This is why handwashing is so important. It is okay to use antibiotics to clear the current infection but more importantly to prevent recurrence by ensuring all carrying or touching the baby wash their hands with soap and water frequently and also use mild antiseptics in bath water; ensure good personal and environmental hygiene.

  44. Good morning ma, pls wat is d cause of wound on d private part for females.. It’s serious affecting my sister. Though she has infection and I also thought it was d infection not until one eela appeared on her buttocks. She compared it to d one on her private part she now noticed its eela DAT is there.. Please how can she solve dis? It is very very serious…

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Oyeyemi…Kindly tell your sister to see a doctor immediately not sure of your sister is a child or an adullt but she needs to see a doctor to make a proper diagnosis of the rashes in her private parts area. After the diagnosis, she would be advised on the right treatment.

  45. Hello Dr please my baby of 6 weeks had rash that looked like the one on this page,I thought it was heat rash and applied amnesia powder but it only dried it up leaving reddish scar behind. Its all over her body please how do i treat it ,from her scalp to her feet

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Chic…You need to take her to see a Paediatrician for the treatment. Please avoid self-diagnosis and treatment. They only make things worse. All the best

  46. Good evening Dr. Pls my 5 month old has this reddish patches that become scaly after a few days around his shoulders, chest and back(very close to the neck but not the neck). What do I do please

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Taiwo…It is difficult to know the specific rashes you are talking about. It is better to see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for further evaluation and management.

    2. Good morning Doc. God bless you for your good work. Especially on feeding. Through your write up on complementary feeding I now know how to make my baby’s food and the right quantity to feed her.please,I have a little challenge,my baby of six months have been having fever that is her body is always hot especially when she wakes up in the morning,not too hot and not always for 3 weeks now.Took her to see a doctor who gave some drugs and said that she is okay that sometimes when they’re doing a certain task like sitting or crawling or walking that it comes with some raise in temperature.secondly, I noticed that whenever she is exposed to cold her breathing changes,she breathes like someone with cough though she does not have cough,now when it happens she clears her throat and the breathing will cease. I have complained to her doc.and I have tried to explain how it happens but after checking her chest and other respiratory organs they all said that her chest is ok.she has seen two paediatricians in two different hospitals. The challenge is that the throathy breathing does not happen when I am with a professional so that they can have first hand knowledge of the condition.They said that I am unnecessary worried and cos I’m a first time mother.please,do I have any reason to be worried? What can I do to stop the breathing and hot body? Please,forgive me for the long write up. Thank you for helping a worried mother.

      1. I think there is no reason to worry since you have seen Paediatricians who have examined and reassured you so don’t worry.

  47. Good day ma. pls my ten months old baby have rashes (random rashes with blisters) on his hand and leg. but it itches and no fever.

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      Hi Amy….It is better to see a doctor one on one for proper physical examination and diagnosis after which the appropriate treatment will be recommended. All the best!

      1. Hi Dr my 2month and 2 weeks baby has rash like stuff on his cheeks. What can I do ma and what could have possibly caused it? Its appear like map

        1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

          You should see a doctor for the diagnosis and treatment as that can not be done without physical examination of the rashes. The cause of the rash will be known after first knowing what type of rash it is.

      2. Adesina Oluwafemi

        Good day doctors,my baby of 11months and 13 days has rashes on her legs,kneel,fingers and wrist ,the rashes has water in it l,took her to the health and was asked to do malaria test and was given malaria medicine and yet I am not satisfied but what can I do

        1. You can take her to general or teaching hospital where she can be seen by a Paediatrician

  48. Hello doctor… God bless you for the good work you’re doing. Pls, my 2 months plus baby has rashes on just her cheek and chin. She mostly has this rashes break out more whenever I apply oil for hair. She usually use her hand to rub her head and use the same hand for her face. I stopped the oil application for a long while now and used agnesia powder which dries the rashes up but resurfaces few days later.I’ve been to the hospital and I was told her skin is just sensitive and maybe allergic to some things and I should use hypoallergenic product only so I opted for Sebamed product and Ive been using that only but the rashes are still there.. just better. What else do you suggest I do to make her face smooth? It’s just her face that has this rashes

    1. Most likely she is reacting to the oil. Try and avoid applying the oil. Olive oil is fine and one drop a day is fine. Do not apply so much that it drips down the face!

    1. Keep the baby cool and make sure you dress according to the weather. Make sure your room is well-ventilated as well

  49. Good day ma… I have a month plus old baby. I observed that she rashes and as some drys up another comes around her neck , chest and back of her ear. What can I do?

    1. Hi Ade…kindly see a doctor who can diagnose what type of rashes they are and then recommend appropriate treatment

  50. Hi Dr my 2month and 2 weeks baby has rash like stuff on his cheeks. What can I do ma and what could have possibly caused it? Its appear like map

    1. Dr Gbemisola Boyede

      You need to take him to see a doctor preferably a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for proper evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the rash.

    1. Kindly let a doctor see your child to diagnose the type and cause of the skin rashes so appropriate treatment can be given. Kindly do not go with t he local native diagnosis which are often used for so many different types of rashes of different causes

  51. Good day doc, my son keeps having reoccurring eela and we’ve been applying murpiderm as prescribed the first time we complained at the hospital, recently the eela stated coming again, I applied the murpiderm now his skin looks like he ya drying . Pls what can I use to cure this thing permanently as I’m been advised to use agbo

    1. I think it is better to take the child to see a doctor for further evaluation. What you described does not sound like a bacterial infection that Mupiderm is for. This sounds more like atopic dermatitis.

  52. Good afternoon doc, pls I noticed my baby has rashes on his neck,back and bumbum. I applied sudocream and abf cream on the affected area. The rashes has gone but the marks is still there. Have been applying agnesia powder but I did not see any improvement. Please what can I do?

    1. Kindly stop applying the powder. You can see a Paediatrician if the rashes persist. The marks should clear with time.

    1. You should see a doctor who can diagnose what type of rashes your baby has and then advise on appropriate treatment. Do you know you can do that on ATP video consultation clinic? See Book Consultation

  53. Goodevening ma, my 12 months old baby has NLA on her vagina and its red in colour and small bumps on it too, am using cacaten and tribat cream but its not getting better what should I do ma

    1. That sounds like a fungal infection in the perineal area; kindly see a doctor for proper prescription of appropriate antifungal cream as the product you are using may even be making it worse.

    1. The rashes have to be seen to be treated. So kindly see a doctor first who will confirm the type of rashes your baby has and the cause before recommending appropriate treatment. This cannot be done on the website. Book Consultation

  54. Hello Doctor, I am a student in Germany and upon my arrival in Germany I developed urticaria and it has been very terrible. I have been on so many medications prescribed by dermatologists here and nothing has worked. So many antihistamines like Cetirizine, fexofenandine, urthimide, ebastin etc. I am currently taking Xoliar injections (once in 4 weeks) and because it still hasn’t worked my dermatologist wants to reduce its interval to once in 2 weeks or double the dosage if it still doesnt work,

    What else can i use? Is there something effective for urticaria in Nigeria? Is there any herb, drugs or cream?
    I’ll appreciate every help I can get on this.
    Thank you

    1. Hi Mr Bello! Sorry about your experience but I am glad you are already seeing a dermatologist.Kindly continue with his recommendations which I think are appropriate. This website is for child health issues only and we also follow orthodox medical practice similar to what you are already getting so I have no additional information beyond what you have already.

  55. Gud evening my my two month old has Eela and I used red flower and I also used baby tribotan though it has clear up but I noticed some dry white spot at the back of her neck which looks like eczema what can I use to clear it ma

  56. Good pm, my 8months old baby is having “nra”, it started wen she was 3months old, we treated it for 4months plus and it disappear but the one her bumbum refused to go. Please any suggestion or drugs to use for her… Thanks

    1. You should see a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment. We do not recommend drugs without seeing a child first

  57. Batholomew Jacenta

    can nla baby poop to be white and have long white like thing in it and her hair is going off she is 4 months

    1. It is better to see a doctor for proper evaluation of all the multiple issues with the baby rather than assuming “nla” whatever that means locally.

  58. Plz,my 11weeks old baby is having rash on her skin called alefo. Used tribotan cream n cacatin but seems to be increasing more.
    Pls wat can I do. Am worried. Thanks

  59. Thank you so much, ma for this teaching. My 6-weeks old baby has had rashessince he was born. It began in his face and gradually spread to other parts of his body.Over time, the rashes disappear and reappear at intervals. Once the rashes disappear, they leave excema-like scars on that part.

    We have stopped oiling his body, but, this has continued.
    We are very neat, and treat his items with extreme care.
    Ma, please, what could be the cause?
    We don’t have easy access to a dermatologist from where we live.

    1. You should use only hypoallergenic skin products and see a dermatologist for further evaluation and management of the atopic eczema.

    1. You should read this article first and then see a doctor for consultation to know the specific cause of the skin rashes which will now determine the appropriate medications. There is no one drug for all cases of “eela” i.e. skin rashes because the cause determine the medication.

    1. Kindly see your doctor for proper evaluation and prescription of appropriate medications. We do not prescribe drugs on the website. You must see a doctor first

    1. Dr Gbemisola

      You should see a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment of the skin rashes your baby has. We cannot make any treatment recommendations without seeing the child.

  60. Hello Ma.
    My baby’s birth weight was 2.8kg. I was not producing milk.. I latched him to my breast but he ended up malnourished and lost weight to 2.2kg at 2 weeks. By 4th week, he gained weight to 2.5kg and at 6 weeks, he gained weight to 3kg. He’s currently 7 weeks and on formula. I am so worried.

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