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.
Rash On The Face And Body
Scarlet fever causes a rash that looks like pinpricks and feels rough, like sandpaper. The rash can be red, but this may be less noticeable on brown and black skin.
Scarlet fever usually starts with a white coating on the tongue, a sore throat, headache and a high temperature.
See a GP immediately if you think your child has scarlet fever. It’s treated with antibiotics.
Measles usually starts with the same symptoms as a cold, plus a high temperature, sore eyes that are sensitive to light and grey spots inside the cheeks.
After a few days, a spotty rash appears on the head or neck and spreads to the rest of the body. The spots can appear red or brown, but they may be less noticeable on brown and black skin.
How Long Does Newborn Baby Acne Last
Newborn baby acne usually only lasts a few days, and in the vast majority of cases is completely gone within two weeks. Sometimes spots can appear only to disappear a few hours later and sometimes they will stick around for three to four months. Recurrences can happen but are generally very mild.
It sounds awful, I know, but when my baby first developed the acne all I could think once I knew it was nothing to worry about was, Oh no, shes not perfect anymore. What will people say? Of course, nobody said anything. Well, nothing unkind anyway. If I brought it up , they just shared stories of their own childs ailments, from newborn baby eczema to newborn baby cradle cap, and how theyd also been a mix of concerned and embarrassed which actually really helped and made me feel less like a Disney villain.
Sarah, mother to Molly, 1
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Can Formula Cause Baby Acne
Formula Reaction
Any active ingredient in formula could be the root of your babys acne specifically, when formula comes into contact with your little ones skin. Feedings are sometimes unpredictable and can get pretty messy. And if the formula drips onto your childs sensitive skin, it can cause baby acne.
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:
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Why Does My 1 Month Old Grunt So Much
Newborn grunting is usually related to digestion. Your baby is simply getting used to mother’s milk or formula. They may have gas or pressure in their stomach that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they haven’t learned yet how to move things through.
Infantile acne can happen when your baby is 3 months to 6 months old. If your baby develops acne after 6 weeks of age, it’s helpful to take them to a dermatologist to help treat it.
Share on Pinterest It is common for a baby to have acne on the face. Baby acne, or neonatal acne, is common and affects around 20 percent of newborns before they are 6 weeks old. It is most common on the face, but it can present on the neck, upper back, and chest. It is rare elsewhere on the body.
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How Do You Clear Up Baby Acne
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Is There Anything That May Be Mistaken For A Babys Acne
Eczema, Erythema Toxicum, and Milia are all examples of similar disorders.
Eczema
A common symptom of eczema is red, itchy pimples on the face. As your infant gets older, it may also emerge on their knees and elbows. Eczema can turn yellow and crusty if it becomes infected. The condition may worse when your kid begins to move about and scuff up their knees and elbows In most cases, your doctor will be able to tell the difference between eczema and infant acne.Atopic dermatitis, the most prevalent kind of eczema, is the most frequent type of eczema.Seborrheic eczema is the most often misdiagnosed illness in infants. Seborrheic dermatitis and crib, or cradle, cap are other names for it.OTC treatments like Aquaphor and Vanicream can be used to treat eczema. The doctor may also prescribe a less potent drug.Food allergies may also be removed from your house and probiotics may be given to your infant regularly.
Erythema Toxicum
Skin ailment Erythema toxicum, which can show as a rash, little red pimples, or red blotches, is a prevalent one. You may see it on your newborns face, chest, or arms in the early days after birth.In most cases, it vanishes within a week of delivery.
Milia
Small white pimples may appear on your babys face, which are called milia. Within a few weeks of birth, they are formed when dead skin cells are trapped in small pockets of skin.Milia are unrelated to infant acne and do not need to be treated.
Learn About Smart Cures For Baby Acne On Smartmom
Crystal P 0 likes
My niece had this same problem when she was a baby, I believe my sister got some kind of cream from the doctor to clear it up. I wouldnât use anything without asking a dr first bc you wouldnât wanna chance making it any worse
Aliâs m 0 likes
It will go away on its own just be patient. Eczema lotion helps with the dryness
Guadalupe G 0 likes
My baby is two weeks as well and had the same problem, but it was because we kissed him soo much, we kept away from his face a few days and the acne went away & we put lotion on him, almost gone now, just like 3 bumps left
Morgan S 0 likes
Leave it alone. Use a warm wet wash cloth to wipe it off a couple times a day. Dont put topical cream and donât pick it. My son had it for three weeks all over. I was told to do that and it healed itâs self.
Morgan S 0 likes
Lotion will make it worse ð
immortelle 3 likes
We wiped our LOâs face with wet warm cloth and used Aveeno baby eczema lotion a couple times a day. It cleared up in a few days ð
Chanett F 1 like
Use breast milk I did for my son and it cleared up nice and quick
Jess L 1 like
Coconut oil
Olya T 2 likes
I applied Breast milk, she had it all Around her face and cheeks and it cleared right up
KW 1 like
Baby acne is normal. I would still lotion the face if itâs becoming dry. The dryness will be more uncomfortable than a few pimples.
Jaeda C 0 likes
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Bottom Line On Baby Acne
Faith with baby acne at five weeks of age.
Albeit unsightly, baby acne is completely normal and common and poses no risk to your bundle of joy. Its tempting to look for a quick fix, but its best to be patient. The human skin has so many built-in protections, fail safes, and processes that are best carried out with minimal meddling. Take time to marvel every precious inch of your baby and know that the baby acne will be gone soon!
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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:
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An inflammation caused by yeast on your baby’s skin
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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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How Do You Treat Baby Acne
In two words, you dont. Well, usually. Because baby acne typically disappears on its own within several months, no medical treatment is usually recommended, explains the Mayo Clinic. If your babys acne lingers for much longer, your babys doctor may recommend a medicated cream or other treatment.
You definitely dont want to try any over-the-counter medications without consulting your babys pediatrician. The last thing you want to do is exacerbate your cute little bubelas skin woes even more. What you can do is keep babys face as clean as possible by gently washing it with warm water every day. And no matter how many Dr. Pimple Popper videos youve watched on YouTube, do not squeeze the bumps on your babys face!
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 baby’s acne worse.
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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.
What Does Baby Acne Look Like
The characteristic signs of newborn acne are small red or white bumps that can appear all over the body but are usually concentrate on the babys face and torso.
You might also spy tiny white bumps on your newborns forehead, cheeks or near his mouth, called milia.
These arent baby acne, per seinstead, the bumps are dead skin cells trapped in small pockets on the skins surface and tend to disappear within the first few weeks of life.
Infant acne can manifest as a crop or cluster of raised red bumps, sometimes filled with pus, and can appear anywhere on the body.
Sometimes they disappear on their own sometimes they require treatment.
Unlike neonatal acne, they can be a predictor of skin issues later in life, so consulting a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist can help set up a smart course of treatment, says Omar Baker, MD, FAAP, assistant clinical professor in the department of pediatrics at Columbia University and co-president of Riverside Medical Group in Northern New Jersey.
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How Do You Prevent Baby Acne
Can my breast milk be causing baby acne?
The exposure may occur while your baby is in the womb, or exposure may possibly come through breastfeeding. But don’t let that change the way you feed your newborn! Even if hormones in your breast milk are causing your baby’s acne, it’s not a serious condition and will usually subside in a few days.
When will baby acne go away?
Newborn baby acne usually only lasts a few days, and in the vast majority of cases is completely gone within two weeks. Sometimes spots can appear only to disappear a few hours later and sometimes they will stick around for three to four months. Recurrences can happen but are generally very mild.
What causes baby acne?
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 . It’s not uncommon to see baby acne on the chest, neck or back, too.
Scaly Or Cracked Skin
Skin that’s itchy, dry and cracked may be atopic eczema. It’s common behind the knees, elbows and neck, but it can appear anywhere.
The affected area may change colour. On white skin, the area may look pink or red. On brown and black skin, it may look grey or purple, or darker than surrounding skin.
Speak to a GP if you think your child has eczema.
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Dont Use Oily Creams Or Lotions
Acne be it baby, adolescent, or adult is caused by clogged pores. Dirt and oil get stuck around a hair follicle and create a plug that irritates surrounding skin. Visually, this is the redness and swelling that are so commonly associated with acne. Because acne is caused by a buildup of oil and dirt, its best to avoid using oily creams and lotions on acne-prone skin.
To keep your babys acne-prone skin as healthy as possible, whether theyre having an outbreak or not, we suggest regularly cleansing the area with Mustelas No Rinse Cleansing Water or Mustelas No Rinse Soothing Cleansing Water for very sensitive skin.
These products contain micellar water, which works to keep your babys skin clean because the micelles in the water are attracted to the dirt and oil that can clog pores. The micelles are thus able to draw out impurities without irritating sensitive skin.
After you cleanse your babys skin, follow up with a sensitive-skin product, like Mustelas Soothing Moisturizing Body Lotion. This daily, light textured baby body lotion is specially designed for newborns with very sensitive, rashy, or reactive skin.
Whats The Difference Between Baby Acne And A Drool Rash
Have you noticed that your baby has a rash around their mouth? Are you wondering if its baby acne? Well, we obviously cant rule that possibility out without seeing your baby. But we can point out that what your little one might actually be dealing with is a drool rash.
You know how babies are constantly drooling, right? The presence of saliva on babys chin, neck, chest, cheeks, and anywhere else they manage to get their slobber can cause irritation. That irritation, known as a drool rash, typically presents as flat or slightly raised patches of skin with small red bumps. To minimize the chance of this happening, keep a burp cloth handy and frequently dab babys face dry.
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Can You Put Anything On Baby Acne
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.
Small Spots And Blisters
Chickenpox starts with small, itchy spots. The spots may look red, pink, the same colour or darker than surrounding skin, depending on your child’s skin tone. At the start, the spots may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
The spots quickly form blisters and then scabs.
Some children have a few spots, while others have them all over their body.
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Baby Acne Or Infantile Acne
If you see it at all, expect baby acne to show its face after about two weeks.
Some mamas see it even earlier. And, strangely enough, its also not unheard of for babies to be born with it.
What youll want to look out for, though, is that it often clears up after about three months.
After this, baby acne becomes infantile acne. This thing can be a bit more serious as its uncomfortable and has the risk of scarring.
Yet, there is a bit of good news here: its a lot less common.
Infantile acne can come with whiteheads and blackheads, too.
If you and your baby have passed that three-month mark, it might be best to get it checked out. Just to be on the safe side.
