Baby acne is a common skin problem in babies. It does not need any treatment and clears up on its own. Read on to know how to handle baby acne.Baby acne which is also known as infantile acne has certain common symptoms. Initially, the acne looks like a rash in appearance with small red pimples. Sometimes, whiteheads also appear with the rash. The pimples become conspicuous when the baby is upset or is feeling hot. Interestingly in many infants it may be difficult to spot the acne and it may appear as though acne is not there at all. Acne in babies normally clears up on its own with the passage of time. Hence, it is not something to be really concerned about. In this articleWhen Does Infantile Acne Appear?Is There a Medical Cause for Newborn Acne or Acne in Babies?How to Handle Baby Acne?When Does Infantile Acne Appear? Acne in newborns can be usually seen between the ages of 4 weeks and six months. Baby acne normally appears on the baby’s cheeks and other parts of the face like the chin and the forehead. Is There a Medical Cause for Newborn Acne or Acne in Babies? Research has indicated that baby acne happens as a direct result of the mother’s hormone levels at the time of a birth of the baby. At the time of childbirth and for a short period of time just before it, a mother’s hormones are allowed to pass through the placenta to the baby. This is very useful to stimulate vital, last-minute physical development in the baby’s body. These hormones which are very beneficial for the infant also stimulate the production of oil in the baby’s skin. Baby acne is the result of increased levels of oil in the infant’s skin.How to Handle Baby Acne? The newborn baby’s skin is very sensitive and delicate. Never make the mistake of touching or pricking acne in newborns. This may cause immense damage to the infant’s skin and worsen the acne. Baby acne does not normally require any formal treatment. It will automatically disappear by the time the baby turns 6 months of age. Hence, the application of anti acne oil or lotion on the infantile acne is absolutely not necessary. Keeping the affected area clean by washing with a mild soap is enough to keep the acne in control and prevent it from spreading further. In case if acne in newborns does not clear for over six months a doctor’s advice must be sought. Parents of a newborn baby with acne must wear clothes made of soft fabric that are washed in natural detergents free of chemicals. This will prevent the acne from worsening when the baby is held against the parent’s clothing. It is best to wash the infant’s clothes with chemical-free detergents. In case of acne in newborns, use of milk formula containing Soymilk must be avoided. This is because Soymilk has a high concentration of hormone mimicking ingredients which can aggravate the acne. The skin care regime and diet program of the mother before or after pregnancy can affect the baby in a number of ways. After pregnancy in case of breastfed babies, the mother’s diet can play a huge role in the overall health of the newborn baby. Hence, a mother must always eat healthy and sensibly. New mothers must take oral medicines only under the guidance and supervision of a doctor. Similarly, diet programs if any, must be followed with the prior permission of a doctor. Normally acne is associated with adolescence. However, acne can occur in infants too. In a newborn baby acne usually erupts on the cheeks or the nose. The primary cause of infant acne is hormonal changes which occur during the period in which the fetus develops. In most infants acne clears up in a couple of weeks without any formal treatment. However, if the acne problem in infants persists for a long time, parents should consult a doctor.
Baby acne is a common skin problem in babies. It does not need any treatment and clears up on its own. Read on to know how to handle baby acne.Baby acne which is also known as infantile acne has certain common symptoms. Initially, the acne looks like a rash in appearance with small red pimples. Sometimes, whiteheads also appear with the rash. The pimples become conspicuous when the baby is upset or is feeling hot.
Interestingly in many infants it may be difficult to spot the acne and it may appear as though acne is not there at all. Acne in babies normally clears up on its own with the passage of time. Hence, it is not something to be really concerned about.
When Does Infantile Acne Appear?
Acne in newborns can be usually seen between the ages of 4 weeks and six months. Baby acne normally appears on the baby’s cheeks and other parts of the face like the chin and the forehead.
Is There a Medical Cause for Newborn Acne or Acne in Babies?
Research has indicated that baby acne happens as a direct result of the mother’s hormone levels at the time of a birth of the baby. At the time of childbirth and for a short period of time just before it, a mother’s hormones are allowed to pass through the placenta to the baby. This is very useful to stimulate vital, last-minute physical development in the baby’s body. These hormones which are very beneficial for the infant also stimulate the production of oil in the baby’s skin. Baby acne is the result of increased levels of oil in the infant’s skin.
How to Handle Baby Acne?
The newborn baby’s skin is very sensitive and delicate. Never make the mistake of touching or pricking acne in newborns. This may cause immense damage to the infant’s skin and worsen the acne.
Baby acne does not normally require any formal treatment. It will automatically disappear by the time the baby turns 6 months of age. Hence, the application of anti acne oil or lotion on the infantile acne is absolutely not necessary. Keeping the affected area clean by washing with a mild soap is enough to keep the acne in control and prevent it from spreading further.
In case if acne in newborns does not clear for over six months a doctor’s advice must be sought.
Parents of a newborn baby with acne must wear clothes made of soft fabric that are washed in natural detergents free of chemicals. This will prevent the acne from worsening when the baby is held against the parent’s clothing. It is best to wash the infant’s clothes with chemical-free detergents.
In case of acne in newborns, use of milk formula containing Soymilk must be avoided. This is because Soymilk has a high concentration of hormone mimicking ingredients which can aggravate the acne.
The skin care regime and diet program of the mother before or after pregnancy can affect the baby in a number of ways. After pregnancy in case of breastfed babies, the mother’s diet can play a huge role in the overall health of the newborn baby. Hence, a mother must always eat healthy and sensibly. New mothers must take oral medicines only under the guidance and supervision of a doctor. Similarly, diet programs if any, must be followed with the prior permission of a doctor.
Normally acne is associated with adolescence. However, acne can occur in infants too. In a newborn baby acne usually erupts on the cheeks or the nose. The primary cause of infant acne is hormonal changes which occur during the period in which the fetus develops. In most infants acne clears up in a couple of weeks without any formal treatment. However, if the acne problem in infants persists for a long time, parents should consult a doctor.
