How To Clear Baby Acne

Do Not Pick At The Bumps

You may be tempted to pop or pick at the bumps on your babys face. Do your best to resist this urge. Breaking open the acne does little good in the long run and can lead to infection and scarring.

You might even cause your babys sebaceous glands to kick into high gear and produce even more oil. That extra oil on your babys skin can cause yet another acne breakout.

Breast Milk For Baby Acne And Other Natural Remedies That Work

Posted by allnaturalmothering

Breast Milk for Baby Acne? Yes! Many mothers have reported that it works exceptionally well. Also, there are other homemade remedies you can try to treat baby acne naturally.

My son had some minor skin abnormalities every now and then. Just after few weeks of birth, his skin, especially around his mouth, broke out into tiny red bumps that my doctor said was baby acne.

I was so worried but my doctor reassured that it is a very common skin condition in newborns. In fact, about 20% of the newborn babies get baby acne.

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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Keep The Skin Amply Moist/dry:

If it is humid summer, then keep his skin dry if it is dry winter, then keep his skin moist. Maintaining ample levels of moisture and dryness according to the season is quite important. The underdeveloped skin is too primitive to maintain moisture on its own. Therefore, it needs external intervention through moisturizers and ventilation.

When Does Baby Acne Go Away

Now, this is the question thats in every parents mind whose newborn is under attack by baby acne on face.

How long should you wait patiently before juniors skin clears up?

In most cases, the zits just go away on their own in a few weeks. But in some newborns, this can go up to months.

Sounds pretty alarming for new parents but thats just how it is with some babies infested with acne

If its still that bad, getting worse, or not clearing up at all in three months, dont hesitate to ask your doctor for the right treatment.

You may just get a prescription such as a very mild cream or topical medication that can help with stubborn or severe baby acne.

And heres the takeaway persistent and lingering baby acne MAY actually give you some hints that your child is expected to deal with zits when he reaches puberty

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Dont Let Your Baby Scratch Or Pick

Unlike you, your baby doesnt understand whats going on with their skin. The swelling and itchiness may cause your little one to scratch, rub, or pick their baby acne without even knowing it.

If you see your babys skin becoming more red and swollen, or if you see your little one rub the inflamed areas, its time to cover their hands with baby mittens or soft socks. This doesnt have to be a permanent thing, and your baby doesnt have to wear them all the time. Its simply to give the acne time to heal.

Fight & Prevent Baby Acne With A Gentle Cleansing Product

Keeping baby acne under control and even getting rid of it completely can be as simple as cleaning your baby with a gentle cleansing product regularly. But you dont want to clean their delicate, sensitive skin with just any cleanser.

Its best to use one thats specially formulated for newborns. We recommend using a product that contains micellar water, like Mustelas Gentle No Rinse Cleansing Water, so it does not dry out their sensitive skin.

Best of all, Mustelas Gentle No Rinse Cleansing Water doesnt require rinsing and is great for when youre on the go!

Micellar water is composed of tiny cleansing oil molecules suspended in super-soft water. It dissolves dirt and impurities to cleanse your babys skin without stripping off its natural oils. And because Mustelas Gentle No Rinse Cleansing Water contains no parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol, its safe to use on children of any age.

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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:

For most infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study.

If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.

Breast Milk For Baby Acne:

Breast milk provides the best nutrition for your baby. It is rich in powerful antibodies that protect the baby from pneumonia and diarrhea-causing pathogens . It also protects the baby from developing allergies.

Breast milk also has antibacterial properties due to the presence of lysozyme, an enzyme that inhibits microbial growth. You can express some milk from your breast and dab it on your babys acne using a piece of cotton. This should not be harmful to your baby.

All said and done, prevention is better than cure, isnt it?

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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.

Is It Baby Acne Or Rash

All this talk of red, raised bumps can sound suspiciously like describing a rash. So how do you know if its baby acne or a rash? Baby acne falls under the umbrella of a rash.

A rash is defined as any skin change, and broadly speaking, neonatal and infantile acne are both considered rashes.

That said, it can be tough to tell the difference between baby acne and other benign skin conditions that commonly affect newborns and infants, like heat rash or eczema.

Eczema and skin infections are generally red and inflamed, with areas of very dry and sometimes cracked skin, says Baker.

Eczema and other worrisome rashes will often cause the baby a good deal of discomfort and could present with other symptoms like extreme fussiness, excessive spit-up or fever.

If youre concerned about possible baby acne, flag it for your paediatrician, who can diagnose the problem and provide the best course of treatment.

Plus, discussing any skin breakouts or eruptions with your doctor can help you become familiar with your babys unique skin needs.

There are also several skin rashes and other skin conditions in newborn babies which, unlike newborn acne, are often itchy and uncomfortable for your little one and tend to spread beyond the face.

Here are some of the common breakouts:

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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.

Tips For Baby Skin Care

Bathing

• You dont need to bath your baby every day. Every second day or a few times a week is fine.
• Pat, rather than rub, your babys skin to dry them off after a bath.

Powders and soaps

• Do not use antimicrobial cleansers or any that contain chlorhexidine, as these are harsh on your babys skin.
• Be cautious of herbal cleansers, as they can cause a skin reaction.
• Do not use talcum powder.

Moisturisers

• Most skin dryness will clear up on its own, but if you use a moisturiser, choose a simple one that has no added perfumes or ingredients.
• Try to use a moisturiser that has been tested for use on babies.

Other tips

• Keep your baby warm, but not hot. Being hot can dry their skin.
• If you have a family history of skin issues your babys skin care may need extra care so talk to your midwife, nurse or doctor.

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Some Tips For Taking Care Of Baby Acne3

• Dont use acne products on your newborns skin, unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise.
• Gently clean babys face daily with lukewarm water and a mild baby cleanser.
• Dry your babys face gently by patting it with a soft towel or washcloth.
• Steer clear of applying greasy ointments on your babys face.

What Is Baby Acne And What Causes It

When your newborn baby is around 2 to 5 weeks old you may start to see small pimples on his face, usually on his cheeks, nose, eyelids, chin, and/or forehead. Baby acne is also referred to as neonatal acne and is commonâabout 3 in 10 babies get it.Experts are not exactly sure what causes baby acne, but it could be due to one of the following:

• An inflammation caused by yeast on your baby’s skin

• Overstimulated oil glands in your baby’s skin caused by coming into contact with hormones in the placenta during your pregnancy.

Baby acne has nothing to do with the type of acne that a teenager may experience.

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Transfer Of Hormones From Mother:

The transfer of maternal hormones from breast milk to the baby is often considered a reason for baby acne . In case a newborn displays acne within a few hours of birth then the transfer of hormones could have happened through the placenta in the womb.

Breast milk is the safest food for a baby, even if it is laden with maternal hormones. It is never known to cause any skin problems. In fact, it improves the babys resistance thanks to its antibodies.

Is It Baby Acne Or A Rash

While its possible to confuse infant acne with that other common newborn skin condition, milia, the two arent the same. Baby acne looks like red pimples, while milia are tiny white bumps or whiteheads. But you need to treat both conditions the same: with washing, watching and waiting.

There are also a number of skin rashes and other skin conditions in newborn babies which, unlike newborn acne, are often itchy and uncomfortable for your little one and tend to spread beyond the face. A few of the most common:

• Baby heat rash: These clusters of tiny, moist, red bumps look similar to acne and often appear on babys arms, legs, upper chest and diaper area in addition to her face when its hot outside.
• Diaper rash: This rash caused by moisture, irritants and too little air appears as red, irritated skin in babys diaper area.
• Cradle cap: Also called seborrheic dermatitis, these tiny red bumps are smaller than acne and may be accompanied by yellow, flaky skin that looks like scales. While it usually appears on the head, it may spread to the eyebrows and upper body too.
• Infant eczema: Skin appears dry, flaky and red, usually in patches around the cheeks and on the scalp. The rash then spreads, often to elbow creases and behind the knees, and progresses to fluid-filled pimples that pop. If eczema is not treated, it can lead to scabbing and oozing.

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The Causes Of Cradle Cap

The exact causes of this condition are unknown. One of the possible causes is that the sebaceous glands of the babys scalp produce excess sebum.

Another possible cause, although not completely confirmed in children, could be the proliferation of some microorganisms that normally live on the skin. For example, of a type of yeast called Malassezia.

Another factor that may play a role is genetic predisposition. However, this possibility hasnt been studied sufficiently. In any case, this condition isnt contagious or dangerous, nor is it caused by allergies or poor hygiene.

Learn The Best Way To Get Rid Of Your Baby’s Acne Using These Simple Safe And Natural Methods

Rare is the adult who survived their teenage years without ever getting a pimple. Most of us have a brush with acne as teenagers, and our culture tends to think of acne as being exclusive to this age group.

This helps explain why it can be so shocking for new parents to discover acne on their infants. One day your baby has soft, clear skin, and the next you might discover their face is covered in tiny, pimply bumpsjust like an adolescent. Because we dont usually think of babies as being prone to acne, these breakouts can throw parents into a panic.

In reality, it is quite commonand for the most part, its entirely harmless. Still, most parents want to help the condition clear up as soon as possible.

Thats why weve put together this guide to getting rid of baby acne. Well walk you through what baby acne is, how long it lasts, what causes it, and the fastest ways to get rid of itas well as a few strategies for preventing baby acne and helping your newborn enjoy healthier skin overall.

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Caring For Acne On Your Babys Skin

If your baby has acne, dermatologists recommend that you:

• Never put acne medicine or acne wash on your babys skin, unless your childs dermatologist or pediatrician recommends it.

• Be very gentle with your babys skin, and avoid scrubbing the acne.

• Wash your babys skin with lukewarm water.

• Stop using any oily or greasy skin care products.

What Is Baby Acne

As noted above, baby acne is a harmless and very common condition among infants that closely resembles acne in teenagers or adults.

The American Academy of Dermatology divides acne into two categories:

• Newborn acne . This affects 20 percent of newborns and typically develops between the ages of two and six weeks. In some cases, a baby may be born with acne.
• Infantile acne. This condition typically arises between the ages of three and six months. This type of acne may be slightly more complicated than newborn acne. In some cases, parents may mistake another condition for baby acne. For these reasons, its a good idea to consult your pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist if your child develops acne after the age of three months.

Just like in older populations, newborn acne manifests as breakouts on a babys skin. Most commonly, these breakouts will show up on a newborns cheeks, nose, and/or forehead. They tend to look like small red or white bumps, and the skin around these bumps may appear reddish. The acne may become more inflamed when your baby is fussing or crying. In some cases, baby acne may appear on the back, scalp, chest, or other parts of the body.

How long does baby acne last?

While it can be a little alarming to see breakouts on your infants face or body, its helpful to remember that newborn acne is generally a harmless and temporary condition. The acne will typically clear up on its own within a few weeks or months, and it rarely causes scarring.

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Why Theres No Need To Be Concerned About Newborn Baby Acne

While red blotches on your babys previously perfect skin might seem like cause for alarm, newborn baby acne really is nothing to worry about. It affects up to half of babies, clears up on its own in almost all cases, and leaves no scars or marks. It also doesnt harm your baby. In fact, theyll feel no ill effects whatsoever.

If your baby develops spots or a rash and youre not sure what it is, always speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor. If your baby seems unwell and has other symptoms, such as a fever, go straight to your GP.

If you found our newborn baby acne article useful and feel more confident about what it looks like, what it is, what causes it and treatment check out our other skin related articles on our Parenting Community below: