Baby Acne

Baby acne is a condition that affects many infants. This is a common skin problem which can be controlled easily. Many children show symptoms similar to pubescent acne. Those small red areas on a baby’s skin are usually visible on the child’s face, cheeks, neck or back. The cause of this condition is not known but it is believed to be caused by the imbalance of androgen, the male hormone, and estrogen, the female hormone, being passed through the placenta to the baby. It is thought that the child’s oil glands become stimulated by this final stage of birth, which, in turn, can cause an increase in sebum or oil. The pores on the infant’s face can become blocked by the oil and cause the irritation.

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The baby acne that is first noticed at birth and up to one month of age is called milia. It usually affects 20% of all children, regardless of ethnicity or skin color. These small reddish bumps usually go away in a few weeks. Washing the baby’s face gently only once a day will help to keep the area clean to speed up healing. Use of a mild soap is recommended. Over-washing the area can cause more irritation than good. Lotions and oils are not recommended as they may also cause a reaction and further the skin problem. The condition can seem to come and go, often disappearing only to be noticeable again in a week or so. It may become more pronounced when the baby becomes upset or is hot, as an increased amount of blood will come up to the skin’s surface under these conditions. This area may look very sore and irritated. A cloth or clothing that has been washed in harsh detergents may further the irritation to the skin and contribute to future outbreaks. If the child’s skin is repeatedly wet from salvia or milk, the surface of the skin may stay reddish from the moisture, but this is not considered to be baby acne.

Baby acne may also manifest itself as whiteheads or a whitish rash of bumps. These bumps may appear until the child becomes four to six months of age. This is common and not a need for concern unless the child’s face looks swollen or it lasts for more than a week or so. Use of any acne creams is not recommended, as they can contain harsh chemicals which could hurt the baby’s delicate skin. Using any petroleum oils or mineral oils can worsen the affected area. The best advice in this situation is to consult with the pediatrician or family doctor and keep the area clean and dry.

Baby acne is a childhood situation that most children go through without any actual pain, discomfort or permanent scarring or even marks. The parent becomes the one worried about this very controllable skin annoyance, as often the adult assumes the condition is painful for the child. Baby acne, while not serious, should always be checked by a family doctor or pediatrician, as it may indicate allergies or other health conditions.