Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a freelance health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of clinical settings.

Chris Vincent, MD, is board-certified in family medicine. He is a clinical professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and practices at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Babies can experience itchy, red skin for a variety of reasons. Their skin is sensitive and easily irritated. While hydrocortisone cream is a go-to for adults with irritated skin, it typically is not recommended for children under the age of 2 unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.

This article will discuss hydrocortisone cream and babies, and other ways to treat itchy skin. 

Hydrocortisone cream is a topical corticosteroid medication. It works by activating the natural substances in the skin that can reduce swelling.  

It is used to treat skin conditions that cause redness, swelling, or itching of the skin. Hydrocortisone cream can help to relieve these symptoms but will not cure the underlying cause. Hydrocortisone cream should always be used exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Unless directed by a pediatrician or other healthcare provider, hydrocortisone cream is generally not recommended for babies under the age of 2 due to potential health risks associated with it. Although harmful side effects are rare, children who use hydrocortisone cream regularly for a long time may be more likely to experience slowed growth rates and delayed weight gain.

Common side effects of hydrocortisone cream include skin dryness and irritation, as well as increased hair growth. Side effects to report to your healthcare provider include:  

The best way to treat your baby’s itchy skin is to determine the underlying cause. From there, you and your child's pediatrician will be able to determine the right treatment plan for your little one. 

Diaper rash is a common skin condition that most babies experience at some point. It occurs when the skin under the diaper breaks down and causes a red rash. 

Common symptoms of diaper rash are redness and irritation on the skin under the diaper. Diaper rash can be very uncomfortable. If home remedies are not effective, see your primary care provider or pediatrician. 

The key to treating diaper rash is prevention. Help your child avoid diaper rash by changing dirty diapers (even wet ones) as soon as possible. When moisture is trapped in the diaper, skin breakdown can occur. Other diaper rash remedies include:

Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause the skin to become irritated, red, itchy, and swollen. Eczema is relatively common in babies and young children. It is not contagious and cannot be passed from person-to-person. 

Eczema usually appears as a red, itchy rash. Babies usually experience eczema on their face and scalp. The skin may drain clear liquid as well. As babies age, you may notice eczema patches on their elbows and knees. 

Toddlers usually get eczema on their elbows, knees, wrists, hands, and ankles. They may have dry, scaly patches around their mouths and eyes too.  

One of the most effective treatments for eczema in babies is to avoid your child’s triggers. These can include saliva, sweat, dry air, tobacco smoke, pet dander, or other irritants. If you are able to determine your child’s triggers, work with your healthcare provider to come up with a plan for avoiding them. In addition, eczema treatments for babies include:

Eczema flares can be caused by allergens. If your little one is allergic to a certain food or group of foods, they could experience a flare (worsening of symptoms) in their eczema symptoms anytime they come in contact with it. However, it can be difficult to determine if your child’s eczema is related to food allergies because skin allergic reactions may occur days after exposure. Practitioners generally do not recommend elimination diets for eczema.  

If you are concerned that your child’s eczema gets worse after eating certain food, talk with your healthcare provider. They may recommend temporarily removing dairy or processed foods from your child’s diet and observing their skin for changes. 

Daily baths are an important part of eczema treatment in babies. First, the bath works to remove dirt and other irritants from the skin. After the bath, gently pat your baby’s skin dry and apply a thick moisturizing cream to help lock in moisture. Eczema skin is very dry, so using a moisturizer after bathing can be very effective. Be sure to use lukewarm water in your child’s bath and avoid any soaps that contain dyes, fragrances, or harsh additives.  

Allergic dermatitis refers to skin irritation caused by an allergic reaction. Substances like fragrances, nickel, and poison ivy can cause an itchy, red rash when they touch the skin. It’s also possible to experience skin irritation from substances like detergents or soaps. These substances can cause irritant contact dermatitis and are not considered allergic reactions.  

Skin allergies in babies can present as:

Depending on which allergen caused your baby’s skin irritation, the treatment options will vary. Your doctor may recommend a short-term course of steroids to ease the symptoms. From there, your medical team will work with you to determine which substances irritate your baby’s skin and how to avoid them.  

If you are interested in pursuing natural remedies for your baby’s itchy skin, focus on products that add moisture back into the skin. Always talk with your healthcare provider or pediatrician before implementing a new natural product into your baby’s skin-care routine. Some natural solutions are:

To help prevent skin irritation, wash your baby’s clothes in a gentle detergent that is free of scents. Look for baby products that are free of dyes, scents, or other additives.

Most babies with red, itchy, irritated skin require regular moisturization. Talk with your healthcare provider about the following types of moisturizers for your baby’s itchy skin:

Hydrocortisone cream is a topical corticosteroid medication used to treat redness, itching, and swelling in the skin. It is generally not recommended for children under age 2 unless directed by your healthcare provider. Your baby’s skin may itch because of diaper rash, eczema, allergies, or other health conditions. 

When your baby is uncomfortable, it is natural to want to relieve that discomfort as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several tools you can try to soothe your baby’s itching without using hydrocortisone cream. Talk with your healthcare provider about natural remedies and prescription medications. 

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% cream is generally not recommended for children under age 2 because in rare instances it can lead to slowed growth rates and delayed weight gain. It is generally safe in children over age 2 when used for brief periods (one to two weeks at a time) but check with your pediatrician or healthcare provider if in doubt.

Talk with your healthcare provider about how to soothe your baby’s itchy skin. Possible treatments include moisturization, daily baths, antihistamines, and plant oils. 

Strong steroid creams should be avoided in babies because they can lead to slowed growth rates and delayed weight gain. However, mild steroid creams such as over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% cream may be used for babies with eczema, or contact or allergic dermatitis, but check with your pediatrician or other healthcare provider before using it.

Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D. Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids. Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59:460-4.

American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to treat diaper rash.

National Eczema Association. Eczema in children.

American Academy of Dermatology Association. What causes eczema?

American Academy of Dermatology Association. Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?

American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to treat eczema in babies. 

American Academy of Dermatology Association. Do certain foods cause eczema flares?

National Eczema Association. Bathing and eczema.

National Eczema Association. Contact dermatitis. 

Boston Children’s Hospital. Atopic dermatitis and eczema symptoms & causes.

American Academy of Dermatology Association. Can eczema increase risk of asthma, hay fever, and food allergies?

Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070

Eichenfield LF, Tom WL, Berger TG, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Jul;71(1):116-32. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.023

By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. She has practiced in a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health.

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