Every infant goes through Teething episodes. While they’re normal and good signs of development, they often bring lots of discomfort, pain, and tears for your baby. They often cause flushed cheeks, swollen or blistered gums, irritability, and unsettled behavior in babies.

Another symptom of teething is excessive drooling. It helps soothe babies’ tender gums when a new tooth erupts, but it could cause “drool Rashes.” They’re typically harmless and shouldn’t hurt your baby.

However, drool rashes can persist, especially due to frequent rubbing on the baby’s skin from clothing, hugging, or playing. Before they become serious and cause more discomfort to your babies, here are ways to treat and prevent them effectively and safely at home:

Clean and Dry Rashes

The quickest way to treat drool rashes at home is by keeping them clean and dry. Until they clear up, bathe your baby at least once every single day. Always use warm water, ideally between 37°C and 38°C (98.6°F).

Note that babies’ skin is still very thin and sensitive. If the bath water is too hot, it can quickly scald them in seconds. Hence, before putting your bub into the bath, always check the water’s temperature first with your wrist or elbow or a bath thermometer if you’re hesitant.

Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free soap or nonsoap cleanser as well. Consider visiting Dr. Talbot’s products. They’re among the highly recommended safe choices for babies as they only use natural ingredients. You can also explore relief and medicine options for infant allergies and other natural wellness products for adults on their site.

Apart from washing, you can also keep the rashes clean with a burp cloth or rag. Use them to wipe your baby’s drool. However, only use clean items and use them gently on your baby’s skin to avoid further inflaming the rashes or hurting your baby’s skin.

Use Emollient Creams on Rashes

Emollients are substances commonly used in skin products. Creams with this ingredient keep the skin hydrated by forming a protective film that traps moisture in the skin. That’s why these products are also called “barrier creams.”

For babies, emollient creams don’t only hydrate their skin but also keep their drool rashes dry and clean. They can even prevent rashes since they provide a water barrier that keeps their saliva from irritating their sensitive skin.

Here are the most recommended emollient creams that are  safe for your baby:

• Vaseline
• Aquaphor
• Lansinoh lanolin cream

However, always be extra careful when choosing products to use on your baby, even if they’re only topical. It’s always advised to seek medical advice from a pediatrician first. This is very important since other allergy symptoms are similar to drool rashes. If you misdiagnose your baby’s rashes, it could complicate your baby’s underlying condition.

Don’t use scented healing balms or other skin products on your baby, too. Products with fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals are widely known as skin irritants to babies. If they’re used on drool rashes, they could cause more irritations.

Not only do these substances irritate the skin, but they also worsen other existing allergies in babies. Research has shown that they can cause allergy flare-ups as bad as life-threatening breathing difficulties, particularly in babies with asthma.

Instead, use emollient creams with natural moisturizers like shea butter and other natural ingredients. When applying them, wipe any saliva off your baby’s face first. Once dry, apply them multiple times a day to maintain hydration.

Give Babies Teething Rings

Teething rings are among the ways to prevent drool rashes. Babies can bite them on, so they help distract them from their discomfort due to their teething. When they feel less pain, they’re likely to drool less, which, in turn, prevents teething rashes from occurring.

Before giving teething rings to your baby to use, it’s recommended to put them in the fridge first. The cool temperature helps relieve their sore and painful gums. Each teething ring is designed differently, so always read its instructions on how long you should cool it.

Be sure not to put teething rings in the freezer. When they’re completely frozen, they can be so hard to bite for babies. These can worsen their already swollen gums. Additionally, very low temperatures may cause frostbite on their lips or gums.

Moreover, here are other precautions on teething rings that you need to know:

1. Toxic Chemicals – Always read the labels of teething rings before buying them. If they contain bisphenol A (BPA), also labeled as phthalates or fragrances, avoid them at all costs. They soften plastic products but can be dangerous for infants once ingested.
2. Liquid-Filled Teething Rings – When babies chew these, their liquids may spill out, which poses choking hazards. Opt for teething rings made of natural rubber instead.

Some parents also use teething gels. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised to stick to non-medical teething rings. They warned the public that these gels contain benzocaine, another toxic chemical for babies. The evidence that proves they’re effective is still lacking as well.

Final Thoughts

Drool rashes are typically accompanied by tiny, red raised bumps on a baby’s face, neck, or chest. Note that these rashes, alongside teething, don’t typically cause fever. If your little one’s temperature is higher than normal and looks unwell, immediately bring them to the nearest pediatrician before their condition worsens.