Should You Try To Get Rid Of Baby Acne
- Baby acne is caused by their motherâs hormones.
- Newborn acne will almost always go away on its own and will not leave permanent scars.
- Keep your babyâs sensitive skin clean with warm water and fragrance-free soap.
- You might need to seek treatment from a dermatologist if your baby has severe acne.
- Avoid scrubbing or picking at your childâs skin, even if they have severe acne.
When you think of acne, the first thing that probably comes to mind is middle school or premenstrual acne. You might be caught off guard if your tiny newborn breaks out one day with little red bumps all over their face.
Teenagers and adults might feel embarrassed about their skin condition and seek acne treatments right away, but should you try to get rid of baby acne?
Baby acne is very common and wonât cause lasting harm to your baby. In fact, your baby wonât be bothered or even notice that their skin is covered in tiny white bumps.
Topping And Tailing Your Baby Who Has Neonatal Acne
Hereâs a quick guide to cleaning your babyâs face and nappy area:
1)Undress your baby except for a vest and nappy and wrap him or her in a towel.2)Hold your baby facing you in your lap or place him or her on a changing mat. 3)Start with the eyelids: Wipe the eyelids with cotton wool thatâs been dipped into a bowl of lukewarm water. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye, and wipe from the nose outwards â donât use soap for the eye area. Also avoid using soap on any areas of dry skin or eczema.4)Do the same with the other parts of the face, neck, hands and around the ears, using a new piece of cotton wool for each area. You can use a mild soap as well as the water to gently cleanse the parts of the face affected by baby acne.5)Remove the nappy and wash the nappy area with some fresh cotton wool and lukewarm water.6)Dry your baby carefully and put on a clean nappy.
Try The Breast Milk Remedy
There is no research to back up these claims, but many moms swear by the power of breast milk to clear up babys acne. Breast milk has high antimicrobial properties that can help keep your baby healthy. Those same antimicrobial properties can, theoretically, do just as much good when applied topically as they do when ingested.
Using a finger, just dab a small amount of breast milk on your babys inflamed skin several times a day. A great time to try this is during feeding periods when your baby is happy and content.
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Is Baby Acne Caused By Breast Milk
As mentioned above, scientific studies have not yet determined the exact cause of baby acne. However, some experts have hypothesized that the mother’s hormones passed from the placenta during pregnancy play a role in infant breakouts.Others think that hormones in breast milk might play a role. But they agree that the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the risk of baby acne. If youre concerned that your milk is causing a problem for your little one, talk to your doctor before you decide to stop nursing.
Unexpected Uses For Breast Milk
Your breast milk has benefits beyond nourishing your baby! Here are some unexpected ways you can use it to help benefit your baby and yourself.
Breast milk is natures gift to humans, feeding and nourishing babies until they are strong little toddlers.
Your milk can have other benefits as well from helping clear baby acne and eczema to soothing a sore throat. Here are some unexpected ways you can use breast milk to help benefit your baby and yourself.
As always, make sure to consult your doctor before trying any home remedy.
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How Is Baby Acne Diagnosed
When you start suspecting that baby acnes appeared on your babys body, it is good to visit a pediatrician in order to diagnose the rash and conclude if it is about normal skin inflammation or a type of acne. In majority of cases there isnt any treatment for this type of skin lesions but if it is some critical case, the pediatrician can recommend the application of tropical retinol.
Do not apply tropical benzoyl or Retina A on your baby without prescription from a pediatrician. This type of baby skin rash usually disappears without applying any treatment. You also dont have to use over-the-counter skin anti inflammation solutions.
What you should also avoid when notice that your little one has baby acne is scrubbing and vigorous washing.
It is also not recommended to put sleek creams on babys skin because they can intensify the skin lesions. In some parents reviews we found that some parents noticed that some non-slick creams helped babys skin to break out. When that happens, what you have to do is to wash babys face with mellow child cleanser and water once a day and then gently pat it dry.
We recommend you to use mild baby cleanser to wash the infant. Each thing that is in contact with your babys skin has to be clean in order to avoid fast spreading of the acne. You should also wash the clothes, pillows and comforters using a mild cleanser.
Are There Any Home Remedies For Baby Acne
Talk to your babys healthcare provider before using any products on your babys acne. Sometimes, at-home remedies can irritate your newborns delicate skin.
If your baby has acne, you can help it go away by taking care of your newborns skin. This may include:
- Gently wash your babys skin with warm water. Avoid scrubbing their skin. Then, pat your babys skin dry.
- Dont use lotions or oils on your babys skin or products that may clog their pores.
- Clean up any food residue or vomit from your babys skin immediately after they make a mess.
If your babys acne isnt going away or if it gets worse after a couple of weeks, contact their healthcare provider.
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Natural Remedies Of Baby Acne Treatment
Babys skin is very sensitive and you should maintain it using gentle natural products. These products are safe and your baby wont be exposed to dangerous chemicals contained in cleansers that can be especially bad if baby has baby acne.
The most natural and simple baby acne treatment is cleaning and it is often overlooked. All you have to do is wash and rinse your little ones clothes, bedding and toys using mild detergent. This will also prevent accumulation of saliva dead skin cells that can fill baby skin pores and make baby acne worse.
You should clean frequently each thing that comes in direct contact with your babys skin and use always gentle detergents. With cleaning baby clothes you will ensure that you stop any bacteria transmission onto the babys skin.
Besides cleaning things that come in direct contact with babys skin, you should also practice daily baby skin cleaning, too. All you have to do is use warm water so you could gently splash clean babys face and towel dry. You can also combine fragrant free soap with warm water.
It isnt good to overdo baby cleansing because the constant wetness will irritate babys skin and make convenient place for baby acne. Change the baby wipes with plain warm water and clean cotton balls because it is healthier.
If you are using chemicals for bathing, our recommendation is to dip your baby in bath two times a week until it starts to crawl, feed and get itself dirtier.
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When Should You See Your Healthcare Provider
If anything about your babys complexion seems out of the ordinary, or if youre concerned that the condition isnt getting better after three to four months, consult your babys healthcare provider. The healthcare provider may a medicated cream or some other treatment. But be sure not to use any over-the-counter creams or medications without consulting your healthcare provider first, as these can damage your babys delicate skin.
In addition, contact the healthcare provider if you ever notice any of the following with your baby:
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What If Baby Acne Doesnt Clear Up
If your babys break out just wont clear, you may be mistaking another skin condition for baby acne. Below are some various skin conditions that are similar to baby acne but require their own diagnosis and set of remedies.
- Milia: These are tiny white bumps, similar looking to whiteheads, which appear on nose, chin, and cheeks of baby. Milia can be present from birth, unlike baby acne, which sets in later. It can also occur alongside baby acne as your babys skin adjusts to life outside the womb. It is more often caused by sloughed off skin cells that get trapped in the outer layer of dermis.
- Heat Rash: While baby acne is on the face, heat rash tends to appear where the baby is clothed, including on the chest, stomach and neck, but also on the thighs and buttocks. Heat rash looks like a reddening of the skin with lots of tiny red bumps.
- Baby Eczema: While it can look similar to baby acne, especially when it shows up on the cheeks, its trademark look is red, patchy and scaly dry skin. It is very common in babies, and can also pop up in high-friction areas, like the folds of those tiny little elbows and knees. Eczema can be caused by diet, lifestyle, gut flora imbalance, dryness and also by genetics, if a parent suffers from eczema.
- Infection: If the bumps spread beyond face or if baby has a fever or cold symptoms, call your pediatrician immediately as these may be signs of an infection like roseola or RSV.
Baby Acne Remedy : Use An Adult Soap With Certain Restrictions
As we mentioned earlier, a babys skin is very delicate. Using an abrasive substance on their skin can cause irritation, redness, or even a rash. There are plenty of products out there which can help ease your babys acne without causing any of these extra uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful, side effects. Theres no excuse to use an adult soap on your baby that is too abrasive and will cause them unnecessary discomfort. Worse case scenario, you can use the first remedy we talked about in this article which is to do nothing.
That being said, there are some adult products which may be mild enough for your baby.
As far as adult products go, using a mild moisturizing adult face wash is often safe enough for your babys sensitive skin.
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When To Take The Baby To A Doctor
Baby acne is not fatal and should not be a source of constant worrying. But there are certain situations in which you must promptly bring the condition under medical supervision:
- If the acne is too brightly red and oozes a clear discharge.
- If the acne has yellowish heads, indicating pus formation that occurs when there is a bacterial invasion of the blister.
- When the baby is in extreme discomfort due to the acne. He repeatedly cries while trying to scratch the acne.
- When the baby acne is accompanied by high fever, indicating an infection.
- If you suspect it is something beyond baby acne, a skin problem such as eczema.
An inspection of the acne by a doctor can help make an accurate diagnosis of the condition.
What Helps Baby Acne
Baby acne typically resolves itself without any specific home-care or professional medical care. However, you can gently cleanse and pat-dry the area two or three times a day. Do not use acne medicine, soap, lotion or any other chemicals. Also, just as is the case with adult acne, no squeezing or picking!
Can I be sure its baby acne? Or is it something else?
Of course, not all raised or pimply-looking skin conditions are baby acne. Infants may develop similar signs of irritation as a result of milia, heat rash, diaper rash, infant eczema or cradle cap. If youre concerned that skin irritation could be something more than baby acne, talk to your Nashville pediatrician at St. Thomas Medical Group.
Whats the difference between milia and baby acne?
Milia are similar to baby acne, but completely unrelated. These bumps are typically present at birth, while baby acne typically develops several weeks later. These white bumps occur when small flakes of skin become trapped in pockets just beneath the surface of the skin. Nearly half of all babies have milia on the upper cheeks, chin or nose. These little bumps are neither painful nor contagious and will resolve on their own in just a couple of weeks. No special washing, scrubbing or treatment is necessary.
Baby acne is usually more upsetting to new parents than to the baby. Both of these conditions just require a little time and patience! In a few weeks your baby will develop a smooth, clear complexion!
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How Do You Get Rid Of Acne Permanently
If your skin is dry, apply a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. Apply the moisturizer twice a day after washing your face. You should also avoid astringents, alcohol, and anything that can dry out your skin. Rub your skin clean. To get rid of acne, you may be tempted to rub your skin to clear it up.
How To Differentiate Baby Acne From Eczema
Infantile acne is different from eczema, which is why it’s important to take your baby to a doctor if they develop redness after 6 weeks of age. That way a pediatrician can rule out any other skin or medical conditions.
One key difference between eczema and infantile acne is that eczema will not have any pustules. Instead, eczema will look like rough areas of dry, scaly, or inflamed patches of skin.
If your baby does have eczema, the treatment will be different, so it is important to determine the cause of your baby’s acne before getting treatment. “Eczema treatment requires thorough daily moisturizing and sometimes medicated creams which are different from topical medications used for acne,” Gagin says.
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What Causes Milia In Newborns
Milia forms because the oil glands in newborns are still developing. The skin, which does not come off naturally, remains stuck. The blocked sebaceous glands present in the skin are basically responsible for producing an oil called sebum, which keeps the skin fresh and supple.
The oil and dead skin cells together clog the pores of your babys skin which causes a series of white spots on the surface of the skin. However, it disappears after the surface of the bump wears away, and the dead skin comes off.
What Is The Best Face Wash For Cystic Acne
- Best Acne Treatment: Neutrogena OilFree Acne Wash Face Wash with Pink Grapefruit.
- Ideal for pimples: Bioré Charcoal Acne Cleanser.
- Best Cure For Cystic Acne: Neutrogena Quick Cleanser For Stubborn Acne.
- Ideal for skin rashes: PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Creamy Wash.
- Ideal for dry skin: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser.
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What Causes Newborn Baby Acne
Doctors dont know for sure why newborn baby acne develops but one of the most popular theories for the cause of newborn acne is that hormones passed from mother to baby through the placenta and also breastmilk are to blame.
These hormones aggravate the sebaceous glands causing pimples to break out on the newborns face, usually on the cheeks, nose and forehead, but sometimes on babys neck, back and chest too.
Interesting fact: Newborn baby acne is more common in boys.
Keep Your Babys Face Clean
Wash your babys face daily with warm water. Bath time is a great time to do this. You dont even need to use anything but water, but if you want to, look for a mild soap or soap-free cleanser. Dont hesitate to ask the pediatrician for recommendations.
Fragrance-free products are least likely to irritate your babys skin.
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Cracked And Sore Nipples
Breast milk can also benefit you, mama! If you have cracked and sore nipples, try rubbing a few drops of breast milk into the affected area to help soften and ease the problem. However, make sure to see your doctor first if your nipple pain is caused by yeast or thrush, breast milk might make it worse since it has natural sugars. Make sure to eliminate these possibilities first.
What Is The Strongest Acne Medication
The key is to work with your dermatologist to develop a treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Isotretinoin is a powerful drug used to treat the most severe cases of acne. Your doctor may recommend this medicine if you have severe acne that doesnt go away with other medicines, including antibiotics. The drug is a derivative of vitamin A.
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Is Baby Acne Normal
First off, yes! Dont worry. Baby acne is quite common among infants.
Newborns still have many maternal hormones circulating in their system in the first few weeks following birth. These hormones can cause pimples to develop on the face . Its not uncommon to see baby acne on the chest, neck or back, too.
Before you blame yourself, Mom, its worth mentioning that baby acne isnt only caused by maternal hormones. Because the pores in your newborns skin arent completely developed, your baby may be susceptible to developing acne caused by some other external irritant.