Does your infant have more pimples than an eighth-grader? Only when she seems fix for her shut-up — head rounding out nicely, eyes less puffy and squinty — baby acne might be next. This pimply preview of puberty is incredibly mutual, usually start at 2 to 3 weeks of age and affecting about 20 to 40 pct of all newborns. Fortunately information technology's temporary, and it doesn't bother your babe a bit. Hither'due south what to do in the meantime.

Baby Skin Care

What causes infant acne?

Believe it or not, equally with adolescent acne, hormones are believed to be mainly to blame. In the instance of newborns, still, it's not their ain hormones that are probably prompting the pimple problems, merely Mom'southward — which are yet circulating in infant's bloodstream as a holdover from pregnancy. These maternal hormones stimulate babe'south sluggish oil-producing glands, causing pimples to pop upwards on the chin, forehead, eyelids and cheeks, and, sometimes, the head, neck, back and upper chest.

What'due south more than, the pores in a babe's peel are non nevertheless fully developed, making them piece of cake targets for infiltration past dirt and the blossoming of blemishes. And babies typically take very sensitive skin — some more others — which tin can also exist a factor.

How to go rid of baby acne

Unfortunately, there's non much you can practise about infant acne, besides existence patient. A few baby acne handling tips:

  • Don't squeeze, pick or scrub acne.
  • Cleanse the area with warm water two times a solar day. Pat skin dry gently.
  • Don't utilize lather or balm on affected areas.
  • Avoid acne or other skin intendance products meant for adults.
  • Endeavour natural baby acne habitation remedies to treat it: Some moms suggest that dabbing the affected area with chest milk tin assistance speed the healing process.
  • Enquire your doctor near prescription or over-the-counter medication that might help and be safe for your babe.

Is information technology baby acne or a rash?

While it's possible to confuse babe acne with that other common newborn pare condition, milia, the two aren't the aforementioned. Babe acne looks like cherry pimples, while milia are tiny white bumps or whiteheads. Simply you lot need to care for both conditions the same: with washing, watching and waiting.

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

  • Baby heat rash: These clusters of tiny, moist, crimson bumps look similar to acne and often announced on baby's arms, legs, upper chest and diaper area in improver to her face when it's hot outside.
  • Diaper rash: This rash — caused by moisture, irritants and also lilliputian air — appears as red, irritated skin in (y'all guessed it!) baby's diaper area.
  • Cradle cap: Also chosen seborrheic dermatitis, these tiny reddish bumps are smaller than acne and may be accompanied by xanthous, flaky peel that looks like scales. While it usually appears on the caput, it may spread to the eyebrows and upper body as well.
  • Infant eczema: Skin appears dry, flaky and ruby-red, usually in patches around the cheeks and on the scalp. The rash then spreads, oftentimes to elbow creases and behind the knees, and progresses to fluid-filled pimples that popular. If eczema is non treated, information technology can lead to scabbing and oozing.

How long does baby acne last?

Babe acne ordinarily clears anywhere from a few weeks after she's built-in to the time she'south almost three to 4 months old — which happens to be a terrific fourth dimension to schedule those professional person pics — leaving that beautiful infant skin you've been waiting for in its place.

And only in case you lot're already worrying near your trivial i existence teased in middle school, know that babe acne doesn't leave permanent scars like the grown-upward version tin, and it doesn't predict future teen acne issues.

When to telephone call the doc

Baby acne well-nigh always goes away on its own with no intervention. Just bring information technology to your pediatrician's attention if the bumps wait similar they might be infected; for example, her skin appears extra red, yous notice swelling or discharge, your child spikes a fever or has other symptoms or if you suspect an allergic reaction or eczema, which may crave a foam to continue the rash from spreading.