Why my baby is scratching his face?

Understanding Why Babies Scratch Their Faces
As a parent, witnessing your baby scratch their face can be concerning. While it may seem alarming, it’s a common behavior among infants, and understanding the underlying reasons can help alleviate your worries.
Natural Exploration
Babies are inherently curious creatures. From the moment they enter the world, they begin to explore their surroundings with their senses. Scratching or touching their face is a part of this exploration. Infants often use their hands to investigate their bodies, and since their facial features are easily accessible, they tend to focus on them. This behavior is especially prevalent in younger babies who are still developing their motor skills.
Skin Sensitivity
Another reason your baby may scratch their face is due to sensitive skin. Infants have delicate skin that can easily become dry, irritated, or prone to rashes. Conditions such as eczema, which is common in babies, can lead to itchiness and discomfort. If your baby’s skin appears red or inflamed, it’s advisable to consult a pediatrician for appropriate treatment options.
Teething Discomfort
Teething can be a significant source of discomfort for babies, often leading to behaviors like scratching. As teeth begin to push through the gums, babies may experience gum soreness, prompting them to seek relief by rubbing or scratching their faces. This behavior is typically accompanied by other signs of teething, such as excessive drooling or irritability.
Habitual Behavior
In some cases, face-scratching can become a habitual behavior, especially if it provides comfort or serves as a coping mechanism. Babies may scratch their faces when they are tired, bored, or need soothing. Similar to thumb-sucking, this behavior can provide a sense of security in unfamiliar or stressful situations.
Protective Measures
While occasional face-scratching is generally harmless, there are steps you can take to minimize the behavior:
1. Keep Nails Trimmed: Keeping your baby’s nails short can significantly reduce the risk of scratching and potential injuries.

2. Use Mittens or Gloves: Soft mittens can be a temporary solution to prevent scratching, especially during sleep.
3. Moisturize: If dry skin is a concern, applying a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer can help soothe irritation.
4. Monitor for Allergens: If you suspect that allergies may be causing skin irritation, try to identify and eliminate potential allergens in your baby’s environment.
When to Seek Help
If the scratching persists or is accompanied by signs of infection, such as swelling, pus, or increased redness, it’s crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional. They can help determine if there is an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.
Conclusion
In summary, while it can be concerning to see your baby scratching their face, it’s often a normal part of their development and exploration. By understanding the reasons behind this behavior and taking appropriate measures, you can help ensure your baby’s comfort and well-being. If concerns persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatrician for guidance.

How can I stop my baby’s face from itching?

Tips to prevent your child from having itchy skin:

1. Moisturise your child’s skin with a recommended emollient.
2. Avoid soaps, bubble baths and shower gels because they can dry out your child’s skin — use a soap-free wash instead.
3. Avoid long or hot showers or baths.
4. Wear loose cotton clothing.
5. Avoid overheating.

How do I stop my child from scratching his face?

If jerky, sporadic movements toward their face are causing their scratches, you can try covering your baby’s hands with mittens. Yes, they make tiny baby mittens for this exact purpose, but here’s a pro-tip — you can also use baby socks.

Why is my baby rubbing his face so much?

When babies are tired, they often show it by rubbing their face, tugging on their ears or balling their hands into fists. Often they get a bit glassy-eyed and stare at nothing in particular. These are all sure-fire signs your little one needs to get to sleep.

Can you use Neosporin on a baby’s face?

Neosporin should not be used on a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice.

Does teething cause itchy face?

Teething causes your baby to drool more and can result in skin irritation that leads to a rash. Many people wonder ‘What does a teething rash look like? ‘, especially when compared to other rashes. A teething rash can develop on the cheeks, chin, neck and chest, and look like chapped skin or small red bumps.

How to treat baby scratch on face?

Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream, or petroleum jelly. Cover the area with an adhesive bandage or gauze pad. Change the dressing often. Check the area each day and keep it clean and dry.

Why does my baby wake up scratching his face?

This can be due to many factors such as itchy, hot skin, and lack of sleep. Seek help and talk to your treating doctor or nurse if your child’s behaviour is worsening. Some children with eczema have learnt that if they scratch they will get what they want or attention from their parents.

Is it normal for babies to scratch their face?

Babies, especially newborns, scratch their faces easily. Also, babies can be quite clumsy: their arms flail around, they still don’t have full control of their hands so it’s really easy for them to hit themselves in the face.

What can I put on my baby’s itchy face?

We also recommend a fragrance-free ointment-based moisturizer, with petrolatum as either the only or the first ingredient. In young children and infants, it is reasonable to use an over-the-counter topical hydrocortisone ointment, which is a mild topical steroid, for up to a week.

Why is my child itchy but no rash?

They are often temporary issues such as dry skin or a bug bite. Less commonly, nerves, kidneys, thyroid, or liver issues can cause itching sensations without necessarily causing a rash. Depending on the cause, a person may experience an itching sensation all over their body or in one specific area.