What should you know about heat rash on a newborn’s neck?

Milk, saliva, sweat, and warm clothing can collect between a newborn’s neck folds. Blocked sweat ducts may then cause fine spots, tiny bumps, or a rough prickly patch. The skin can look pink, red, brown, or less visibly changed depending on the baby’s skin tone. Heat rash is one possibility, but a moist fold can also develop irritation or infection, especially when there is cracking, weeping, a bad smell, or tenderness.

Keep the room comfortably cool and use light, breathable layers. After feeds and baths, gently rinse or wipe away residue with water, then pat between the folds until fully dry. Give the neck a short period of air exposure during supervised awake time. Change wet bibs and clothing promptly. Avoid rubbing, fragranced wipes, talc, and thick products that seal in moisture. If the skin is dry rather than damp, ask a clinician about a suitable [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/).

Contact a clinician promptly if the baby has fever, reduced feeding, unusual drowsiness, marked discomfort, or fewer wet nappies. The neck should be examined if the area becomes swollen, hot, painful, cracked, oozing, foul-smelling, or rapidly wider. These findings can fit a problem other than simple heat rash. A clinician can assess the [Skin Redness](/symptoms/skin-redness/) and decide whether treatment is needed.

Ask whether the rash is limited to heat irritation or involves the fold itself, how often to clean and dry it, and which products to avoid. Bring the baby’s age, recent temperatures, feeding pattern, and a list of creams or wipes used. Ask before using any [Topical Corticosteroids](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-corticosteroids/) on a newborn’s neck.