Why is my kid’s neck red?

A lot. But that doesn’t mean that parents don’t get worried when their children’s skin gets red, itchy, bumpy, or otherwise irritated.

Luckily, the majority of red rashes on kids’ necks aren’t a big deal and are easy to treat. Always double-check with your pediatrician, but it’s possible that your kid’s neck is red because of seborrheic dermatitis or eczema.

It could be seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is, most simply, a severe case of dandruff. This inflammatory skin condition is characterized by flaking, itching, redness, and irritation on the head, eyebrows, nose, and neck folds, but it can pop up near any oil-producing gland on the body.

Sometimes called “cradle cap,” seborrheic dermatitis is very common in babies. Luckily, it generally resolves itself within 6 to 12 months. However, there are ways you can speed up recovery and ease symptoms.

Wash your little one’s head every day with a medicated shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis, such as Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash. Made without fragrances, parabens, dyes, and other irritating ingredients and featuring active ingredient Zinc Pyrithione, Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo is gentle enough for sensitive young skin but tough enough to help loosen and clear away scales.

Before rinsing the shampoo off your baby’s scalp, loosen the flakes by massaging their head and neck with your fingertips, a soft-bristled brush, or a washcloth. The medicated shampoo can be used daily until the seborrheic dermatitis rash clears up. Then reduce use and repeat the process every two to three days to help prevent a future build-up.

Eczema is a very common reason for redness on the neck

Eczema is incredibly common in both children and adults alike, making it a likely suspect for your kid’s red neck rash.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, red, itchy, and rough patches of skin to pop up on the cheeks, inside of joints, neck, wrists, and behind the ears. While eczema isn’t particularly dangerous, it can be very uncomfortable as the extreme itchiness can prevent children from getting enough sleep.

There is no established cure for eczema, but there are many ways to effectively treat symptoms and reduce flare-ups. The two most important methods of soothing eczema are gentle cleansing and moisturizing.

Give your child a daily bath in warm, not hot, water. Cleanse his skin with a non-soap eczema body wash free from harsh, irritating ingredients, like Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo and Body Wash. No matter which product you select, make sure it’s made without dyes, fragrances, parabens, or sulfates to hydrate and soothe skin.

After bath time, apply a baby eczema cream to lock in moisture throughout the day. You should apply a moisturizing cream, or ointment at least twice a day to maximize hydration and relieve eczema symptoms.

What else could it be?

Though seborrheic dermatitis and eczema are the most likely culprits for the red rash on your kid’s neck, there are a few other potential causes, including:

Heat Rash – Heat and sweat can cause a prickly, red, and itchy heat rash to pop up on kids’ head, neck, and shoulders. It usually clears up on its own, but you can prevent it by keeping your child cool and not over-layering clothing.
Contact Dermatitis – Some children’s skin will react negatively with certain foods, plants, soaps, or other products, leading to a mild red rash or small red bumps. Simply remove the irritant and apply an anti-inflammatory cream.
Hives – Similarly, medicines, foods, environmental exposures or other viral or bacterial infections can cause children to break out in pink, itchy welts called hives. Hives can pop up anywhere on the body and can last for minutes or up to 24 hours and they come and go in different areas anywhere on the body. Antihistamines can soothe the hives, but if they don’t clear up on their own, be sure to see a doctor.