How To Help Newborn Acne

How Is Baby Acne Treated

Baby acne usually disappears without treatment.

Some babies have acne that lingers for months instead of weeks. To treat this stubborn form of baby acne, your babys pediatrician may prescribe a medicated cream or ointment that helps clear up the acne.

Dont use OTC acne treatments, face washes, or lotions. Your babys skin is very sensitive at this young age. You might make the acne worse or cause additional skin irritation by using something thats too strong.

Newborn Acne Is Generally Nothing To Worry About

About 20% of newborns have a type of acne called neonatal acne. Youll usually see it at about 2 weeks of age. However, it can develop any time before 6 weeks of age. Sometimes, a baby is born with acne.

If your newborn has acne, youll usually see breakouts on your babys cheeks and nose. Acne can also appear on a babys forehead, chin, scalp, neck, back, or chest.

Neonatal acne is generally nothing to worry about. It rarely causes a scar and tends to go away on its own in a few weeks to months.

The Definition Of Acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by lesions called comedones. There are two forms of comedones: open and closed. Open comedones are more commonly referred to as blackheads. The clogged central pore turns dark in color due to air exposure. In contrast, closed comedones have a red base with a raised center that looks like pus. This version is most commonly seen in infants.

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To Conclude On Home Remedies For Baby Acne

In most cases newborn acne will disappear on its own especially when you have tried out the above discussed home remedies for acne in infants. Although it may take several months a reason many mothers become anxious and worried. If you really doubt the type of rash on your newborn then you can take him/her to a specialist for diagnosis.

Under any circumstance, you are not recommended to deal with your babys skin rashes and red pimples using any over the counter medications without the doctors prescription. The best way is to try out the discussed home remedies for baby acne without any sophisticated treatment.

When the doctor realizes the condition is severe he or she is likely to prescribe some medications for baby acne treatment. Benzoyl peroxide or tropical acne creams are commonly used in the treatment. Mild doses of these medications may be recommended by a pediatrician to help in curing of neonatal. Organic Healing Gel is also useful depending on the condition.

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When To See A Doctor For Your Babys Acne

If youre unsure if your baby has neonatal acne or another skin condition such as infantile acne or eczema, a routine checkup is a great time to ask questions about acne and get an official diagnosis.

Neonatal acne will typically go away on its own. If it does persist or your baby scratches affected areas, consult your pediatrician. If your pediatrician diagnoses infantile acne, they may refer you to a pediatric dermatologist for treatment.

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What Can You Do To Help Baby Acne#

Baby acne will naturally clear up on its own. The most important thing we can do is be patient.

Here are a few other things you can try to help baby acne:

• During bath time, gently wash your babys face with a clean washcloth & water.

• Pat your babys face dry gently after washing .

• When your baby spits up, clean their face well so the spit-up is not sitting on their skin.

Is Baby Acne Normal #

I know it can be upsetting to see your baby with these red bumps. I want to reassure you: baby acne is common and normal in newborns. True baby acne is not harmful to your little one, but its always a good idea to consult your pediatrician with any concerns you have.

Id love to show you an example.

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Do Certain Foods Cause Baby Acne

It has not been scientifically proven that any food consumed by the mother, like fatty or oily food, causes baby acne. Since babies do not eat the food, which adolescents suffering from acne eat, the possibility of acne being caused by an ingested food can be ruled out in the case of babies.

Thus, baby acne does not have a specific cause and can be conveniently described as a spontaneous event. Changes in skin structure due to its constant growth and development could be a reason since baby acne is less prevalent in premature babies whose skin is yet to attain the level of a full-term baby . It is a theory that is not scientifically proven and is just a speculation. As a parent, you need not worry about harmless baby acne, but there can be situations when you must take your little one to the doctor.

What Should You Avoid Doing For Baby Acne#

Because baby acne is completely different from the acne seen at other times in life, there are several things we want to avoid doing when we see baby acne:

• Dont pinch, squeeze, pick, or rub baby acne.

• Dont use acne treatment or other facial treatments.

• Dont use creams or lotions.

• Dont use scented baby washes or soap.

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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!

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.

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How To Care For Baby Acne

When caring for your babys acne, its best to keep it simple. Use lukewarm water and a mild baby soap to cleanse the area.

Be gentle with their skin. Avoid scrubbing your babys face or any affected areas, and pat their skin dry after washing. Dont pinch the acne or try to pop any pustules.

Dont use any medicated skin products or acne face wash on your baby unless your dermatologist recommends it. Dont apply any facial lotions, ointments, or baby oil to the areas. It could make your babys acne worse.

Breast Milk The Natural Elixir For Baby Acne

There is no substitute for breast milk. It is the nourishment that makes your baby strong and gives him or her ability to fight common ailments. Breast milk also works wonders with baby acne. Soak a cotton ball in some breast milk and apply on the affected area three to four times a day. Many mothers notice a difference immediately after application of the milk.

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When Does Newborn Acne Go Away

Newborn acne appears before your child is six weeks of age. It typically clears up on its own within a few months, though most cases resolve sooner.If your baby develops acne after they’re six weeks old, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends taking them to see a dermatologist for their infantile acne. This type can take a lot longer to clear up and may require different treatments.

Acne Is More Worrisome After 6 Weeks Of Age

When acne develops after 6 weeks of age, its called infantile acne. This type of acne is likely to begin between 3 and 6 months of age.

If your baby develops acne after 6 weeks of age, youll want to see a board-certified dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist. This can be helpful for several reasons. You can:

• Make sure its acne.Its less common for acne to begin in a baby after 6 weeks of age, so you want to make sure your child really has acne. Other skin conditions can look like acne. Your child could have a skin infection or eczema.

• Rule out something going on inside your childs body.When acne begins after 6 weeks of age, it can be a sign of a health problem. A skin exam and sometimes a blood test or x-ray is needed to rule this out.

• Find out if a skin care product is causing the acne.Some babies get acne from an ointment or oil thats found in products used on their skin.

• Prevent permanent acne scars.While newborn acne rarely causes a scar, infantile acne can cause permanent acne scars. A dermatologist can help prevent scarring.

While a dermatologist should examine a child who develops acne after 6 weeks of age, this type of acne often clears on its own. Clearing usually takes about 6 months to 1 year. Some children, however, have acne for a longer time. Its possible for acne to continue through the teen years.

Baby skin care

Never apply acne treatment to your baby’s skin unless a dermatologist recommends it.

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When To See A Doctor

You may need to see a dermatologist if your babys acne doesnt resolve within several months. You should also visit a dermatologist if your baby has infantile acne after they are 6 weeks old. Following a doctors advice can help prevent infantile acne from causing scars.

The doctor will look at your baby and make sure the skin condition is in fact acne. Its possible to mistake acne with another skin condition, so your doctor will want to rule out other possibilities like rashes, infection, or skin irritation.

Your doctor may ask you if other people in your family have acne, and what kind of products youve been applying to your babys skin. If youre using multiple products, be prepared to list them all.

If your baby develops acne after theyre 6 weeks old, it could be a sign of another issue. Your babys doctor may want to do an x-ray or blood test to investigate.

Make sure to tell your doctor if your baby has had any other symptoms like fever, other skin problems, or abnormal behavior.

Most cases of infantile acne last six months to a year or longer. Children with infantile acne can have more severe acne when they are teenagers.

When Will Baby Acne Go Away#

Baby acne will naturally resolve on its own in a few weeks. I know that some parents worry, but I want you to know that baby acne doesnt leave any scarring behind like adolescent acne can.

Talk with your pediatrician if you see any swelling, discharge, or fever along with the bumps. Also be sure to check with your doctor if youre concerned that what you are seeing is something more like eczema or you’re worried the baby acne isnt getting better.

Can I give you one more tip? Keep taking those pictures! Your baby is SO beautiful even with that baby acne.

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Introduction To Baby Acne:

To many parentsâ dismay, their beautiful newbornâs face breaks out with red bumps at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. This is called baby acne. It tends to occur at about the same age as the babyâs peak gas production and fussiness. How attractive! Parents are often quite concerned both about how these bumps look and about their significance.

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Dont Rub Your Babys Skin With Rough Fabric

Rough fabrics can make your babys acne worse by further irritating the already-sensitive skin. Thats why its so important to keep rough fabrics away from your newborn. Dress your baby in super-soft clothing, and keep wool and other coarse fibers away from their skin.

Similarly, dont bathe your baby with a washcloth. The roughness of the cloth can rip open the bumps and lead to infection. Instead, wash your little one with your hands, but be sure to remove any jewelry that may poke or prick.

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A Dermatologist Can Tell You When To Treat Your Babys Acne

Seeing acne on your babys skin can be worrisome. A dermatologist can tell you whether you need to treat it. When acne requires treatment, you can rely on a dermatologists expertise to treat your baby safely.

ImagesImage of newborn acne used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Image of baby being bathed,

ReferencesEichenfield LF, Krakowski AC, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acne. Pediatrics. 2013 131 Suppl 3:S163-86.

Serna-Tamayo C, Janniger CK, et al. Neonatal and infantile acne vulgaris: An update. Cutis 2014 94:13-15.

Zaenglein AL and Thiboutot DM. Acne vulgaris. In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. . Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:500.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Galderma Laboratories, L.P.

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How Can I Treat My Baby’s Acne

• Wash your baby’s face with mild soap and warm water once a day. Gently pat it dry.
• Have patience. Your baby’s acne doesn’t bother him, so try not to let it bother you, either.
• Gently wipe off spit-up and saliva from your baby’s face,because they can irritate the skin.
• Dab on some breast milk. Some moms say they’ve had success treating baby acne with breast milk. There’s no research to back this up, but because breast milk has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it might be worth a try.
• Use unscented bathing products and lotions. Scents may aggravate your baby’s acne.
• Wash your baby’s laundry with gentle, unscented detergent.Your baby’s delicate skin can easily become irritated by chemicals.
• Dress your baby in soft fabrics that won’t irritate her delicate skin.

Some don’ts with baby acne:

• Don’t scrub. Baby acne isn’t caused by dirt. In fact, too much washing can further irritate your baby’s skin, so don’t overdo it.
• Don’t useover-the-counter acne medicines. Usually no medication is necessary, but if it is, your baby’s doctor will suggest an antifungal cream that’s safe for your little one.
• Don’t putoily lotions on your baby’s skin. These can make the acne worse. Some parents report that certain non-oily creams have helped their baby’s acne. If you try one, monitor how it affects your baby’s skin, and be prepared to stop using it if it makes his complexion worse.
• Don’t pinch or squeeze the acne, which can cause infection or irritation.

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When Does It Present

According to the Mayo Clinic, baby acne often develops within the first two to four weeks after birth. It may develop any time before six weeks of age, though. Some babies are even born with it! This type of acne is also known as neonatal acne. When baby acne develops after six weeks of age, its referred to as infantile acne.

How Is Infantile Acne Treated

Although most cases of infantile acne resolve over time, it might be necessary for your doctor to prescribe medication. â

Products containing benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids are often prescribed for mild to moderate cases of infantile acne. Theyâre usually applied directly to your baby’s skin. â

Antibiotics are prescribed for mild acne that is inflammatory. The antibiotics come in the form of cream, and itâs applied to the skin. Antibiotics are used to treat severe acne too, but these are usually taken by mouth. Multiple medications may be prescribed at once.

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See A Doctor If Concerned

While baby acne usually resolves on its own, its not unusual for caregivers to seek reassurance from their pediatrician. Extensive baby acne on face and body can be especially worrisome for some caregivers, even if the breakout is brief. If you dont have an upcoming appointment when you can conveniently address it, check in with your pediatricians office to see if they offer telemedicine or an online portal solution that can conveniently get you faster answers.

As always, follow your gut when it comes to babys wellness. Fever, skin inflammation, the presence of pus, or pain upon touching the affected area are all reasons to seek medical attention more quickly. Likewise, persistent baby acne that does not resolve on its own should also be addressed by a doctor who can evaluate if treatment is required.