What Causes Them And How You Can Prevent

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T a b l e Of C o n t e n t s :

I t is a fine m o r n i n g , and y o u are a b o u t to f e e d your l i t t l e one w h e n you s u d d e n l y notice s o m e t h i n g and s t a r e at i t wide-eyed. T h e r e are t i n y blisters a l l around t h e baby’s f a c e , neck, a n d parts o f his t o r s o . You h a v e no i d e a how h e got t h o s e as t a k e every p o s s i b l e step t o keep h i m and h i s clothes, c r i b , toys c l e a n . Your b e s t guess f o r the c o n d i t i o n is b a b y acne. B u t wait, i s acne e v e n possible i n babies?

D e s p i t e the a s t o n i s h m e n t , baby a c n e can o c c u r in a s high a s 70% o f babies i n c l u d i n g newborns ( 1 ) . It i s thus q u i t e a c o m m o n ailment. B u t what c a u s e s those n a s t y blisters a n d how c a n you t r e a t and p r e v e n t them? H e r e is a l l you n e e d to k n o w about b a b y acne, i t s cause, s y m p t o m s , treatment, a n d prevention.

W h a t Is B a b y Acne?

E r y t h e m a toxicum n e o n a t o r u m , better k n o w n by i t s colloquial n a m e baby a c n e , is t h e formation o f yellow o r white-headed b l i s t e r s or p a p u l e s surrounded b y red s k i n on c h e e k s , forehead, n e c k and p a r t s of t h e torso l i k e the c h e s t . They c a n even a p p e a r on l e g s , predominantly o n thighs. B a b y acne m a y look v e r y similar t o other b a b y skin c o n d i t i o n s (more a b o u t them l a t e r ) . Therefore, d o not c o n f u s e it w i t h them.

T y p e s Of B a b y Acne

T h e r e are t w o types o f acne t h a t affect b a b i e s at t w o different s t a g e s of t h e i r infant l i f e :

N e o n a t a l acne occurs i n newborn b a b i e s around t h r e e weeks o f age. I t is c h a r a c t e r i z e d by r e d to p i n k lesions t h a t do n o t have a head a n d do n o t protrude a s a b u m p . This a c n e is l i m i t e d to t h e face p r e d o m i n a n t l y to t h e cheeks a n d only s o m e t i m e s on t h e scalp. I t is a mild c o n d i t i o n and d o e s not c a u s e any d i s c o m f o r t to t h e baby s i n c e it i s not i t c h y .

I n f a n t i l e acne happens o n l y after t h e baby r e a c h e s three t o four m o n t h s . Infantile a c n e is m u c h severe t h a n neonatal a c n e since t h e lesions a r e quite i n f l a m e d and f o r m papules. T h e inflammation m a y also l e a d to d i s c o m f o r t to t h e baby, w h i c h may c a u s e the b a b y to i t c h or p r i c k at t h e papules.

H o w Long Does B a b y Acne L a s t ?

N e o n a t a l acne m a y last a month a n d clear a w a y without a n y scarring. I n some c a s e s , it m a y last a couple o f months a n d then c l e a r away w i t h o u t medical i n t e r v e n t i o n .

O n the o t h e r hand, i n f a n t i l e acne c o u l d last f o r months b u t will s h o w signs o f fading o n c e the b a b y turns t w e l v e months o l d . However, t h i s acne h a s a t e n d e n c y to p e r s i s t until t h r e e years o f age, i n which c a s e they l e a v e a p e r m a n e n t scar. M e d i c a l intervention m a y be r e q u i r e d in c a s e of i n f a n t i l e acne.

S y m p t o m s Of B a b y Acne

B a b y acne u s u a l l y affects p a r t s of t h e face b u t can a l s o be f o u n d on n e c k , chest a n d sometimes o n the s c a l p . The s y m p t o m s include r e d patches o r red b l i s t e r s that c o v e r a l o c a l i z e d section o r are d i s t r i b u t e d in v a r i o u s parts o f the b o d y .

I n f a n t i l e acne l o o k s quite s i m i l a r to a d o l e s c e n t acne s i n c e they m a y also s h o w pustules, w h i c h are p i m p l e s . This a c n e can b e itchy, a n d the b a b y will t r y to s c r a t c h the a f f e c t e d area.

W h a t Causes B a b y Acne?

T h e r e is n o known c a u s e for b a b y acne, a n d even m e d i c a l practitioners a r e perplexed b y it ( 2 ) . There a r e hypotheses t h o u g h , and w e have l i s t e d the p o p u l a r ones. N o t e that t h e s e are n o t the c o n f i r m e d reasons f o r baby a c n e but j u s t the p o p u l a r theories a b o u t probable c a u s e s :

1 . Transfer o f hormones f r o m mother:

T h e transfer o f maternal h o r m o n e s from b r e a s t milk t o the b a b y is o f t e n considered a reason f o r baby a c n e (3). I n case a newborn d i s p l a y s acne w i t h i n a f e w hours o f birth t h e n the t r a n s f e r of h o r m o n e s could h a v e happened t h r o u g h the p l a c e n t a in t h e womb.

B r e a s t milk i s the s a f e s t food f o r a b a b y , even i f it i s laden w i t h maternal h o r m o n e s . It i s never k n o w n to c a u s e any s k i n problems. I n fact, i t improves t h e baby’s r e s i s t a n c e thanks t o its a n t i b o d i e s .

2 . Immaturity a n d sensitivity o f the s k i n :

B a b i e s have a developing e p i d e r m i s , the o u t e r layer o f the s k i n . Their s k i n can b e so s e n s i t i v e that i t is e a s i l y affected b y simple e v e n t s such a s a c h a n g e in t e m p e r a t u r e , contact w i t h an a b r a s i v e material o r even t o o much p r e s s u r e at a point.

A l l babies h a v e sensitive s k i n . Thus, t h i s theory d o e s not e x p l a i n why s o m e babies s u f f e r from a c n e while s o m e never g e t it.

3 . Allergic r e a c t i o n s :

T h e acne c o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d a c o m p l i c a t i o n of c e r t a i n allergy ( 4 ) . It c o u l d be a n allergy t o a f o o d or m e d i c a t i o n . Skin h i v e s and e c z e m a are c o m m o n manifestations o f an a l l e r g i c reaction. A l t h o u g h they m a y seem s i m i l a r , skin h i v e s and e c z e m a are d i f f e r e n t from b a b y acne. B a b y acne d o e s not c a u s e any d i s c o m f o r t to t h e baby n o r is l i f e – t h r e a t e n i n g . Moreover, b a b i e s that a r e exclusively b r e a s t f e d and n o n – a l l e r g i c may a l s o show a c n e .

D o Certain F o o d s Cause B a b y Acne?

I t has n o t been s c i e n t i f i c a l l y proven t h a t any f o o d consumed b y the m o t h e r , like f a t t y or o i l y food, c a u s e s baby a c n e . Since b a b i e s do n o t eat t h e food, w h i c h adolescents s u f f e r i n g from a c n e eat, t h e possibility o f acne b e i n g caused b y an i n g e s t e d food c a n be r u l e d out i n the c a s e of b a b i e s .

T h u s , baby a c n e does n o t have a specific c a u s e and c a n be c o n v e n i e n t l y described a s a s p o n t a n e o u s event. C h a n g e s in s k i n structure d u e to i t s constant g r o w t h and d e v e l o p m e n t could b e a r e a s o n since b a b y acne i s less p r e v a l e n t in p r e m a t u r e babies w h o s e skin i s yet t o attain t h e level o f a f u l l – t e r m baby ( 5 ) . It i s a t h e o r y that i s not s c i e n t i f i c a l l y proven a n d is j u s t a s p e c u l a t i o n . As a parent, y o u need n o t worry a b o u t harmless b a b y acne, b u t there c a n be s i t u a t i o n s when y o u must r u s h your l i t t l e one t o the d o c t o r .

W h e n To R u s h The B a b y To A Doctor?

B a b y acne i s not f a t a l and s h o u l d not b e a s o u r c e of c o n s t a n t worrying. B u t there a r e certain s i t u a t i o n s in w h i c h you m u s t promptly b r i n g the c o n d i t i o n under m e d i c a l supervision:

I f the a c n e is t o o brightly r e d and o o z e s a c l e a r discharge.

I f the a c n e has y e l l o w i s h heads, i n d i c a t i n g pus f o r m a t i o n that o c c u r s when t h e r e is a bacterial i n v a s i o n of t h e blister.

W h e n the b a b y is i n extreme d i s c o m f o r t due t o the a c n e . He r e p e a t e d l y cries w h i l e trying t o scratch t h e acne.

W h e n the b a b y acne i s accompanied b y high f e v e r , indicating a n infection.

I f you s u s p e c t it i s something b e y o n d baby a c n e , a s k i n problem s u c h as e c z e m a .

A n inspection o f the a c n e by a doctor c a n help m a k e an a c c u r a t e diagnosis o f the c o n d i t i o n .

H o w Is B a b y Acne D i a g n o s e d ?

D i a g n o s i s is c l i n i c a l and d o e s not r e q u i r e any i n v a s i v e testing. T h i s means y o u r pediatrician w i l l diagnose t h e condition j u s t by l o o k i n g at t h e blisters. I n case, h e intends t o do a detailed a n a l y s i s , he m a y then t a k e a f e w scrapings o f the l e s i o n and s e n d it f o r laboratory t e s t i n g . A b l o o d test c a n also h e l p determine i f the c o n d i t i o n is i n d e e d baby a c n e but i s usually n o t required.

H o w To T r e a t Baby A c n e ?

S t i l l wondering A s astonishing a s it m a y sound, t h e r e is n o treatment f o r baby a c n e . The p r i m a r y reason i s the f a c t that t h e r e is n o known c a u s e for b a b y acne t h u s making i t impossible t o prescribe a medicine w i t h o u t knowing t h e target. B a b y acne i t s e l f is c o m p l e t e l y harmless a n d is n e v e r dangerous. I t may l a s t for a few d a y s or a month b u t will d i s a p p e a r without y o u r intervention. Y o u r pediatrician i s quite l i k e l y to a d v i s e you t o leave t h e condition u n t o u c h e d .

H o w e v e r , he m i g h t suggest s o m e medicine t o provide r e l i e f for t h e baby’s s k i n .

M e d i c a t i o n For R e l i e f

T h e pediatrician w i l l most l i k e l y prescribe a topical o i n t m e n t consisting o f compounds s u c h as k e t o c o n a z o l e , benzoyl p e r o x i d e , and h y d r o c o r t i s o n e .

I n addition t o such o i n t m e n t s , you m a y be t e m p t e d to t r y some h o m e remedies o r natural b a b y acne t r e a t m e n t . So w h a t are t h e best h o m e remedies f o r baby a c n e treatment? R e a d on.

A r e There A n y Home R e m e d i e s For B a b y Acne?

F i r s t a w o r d of c a u t i o n . Do n o t try a n y over-the-counter a c n e medication f o r your b a b y nor u s e a c r e a m , lotion o r soap w i t h o u t your d o c t o r ’ s advice. M o s t non-prescription a c n e medications a r e for a d o l e s c e n t s and a d u l t s . Do n o t even u s e essential o i l s , creams o r scrub t h e baby’s s k i n during b a t h i n g .

T h e r e are c e r t a i n home r e m e d i e s such a s oatmeal b a t h that a i m at m o i s t u r i z i n g the b a b y ’ s skin b u t have n o t been m e d i c a l l y proven t o treat b a b y acne. A l l these c a n actually w o r s e n the c o n d i t i o n . If t h e r e is a n y t h i n g you c a n do t o help y o u r baby’s s k i n to b e healthy, t h e n it i s the f o l l o w i n g :

B r e a s t Milk F o r Baby A c n e :

B r e a s t milk p r o v i d e s the b e s t nutrition f o r your b a b y . It i s rich i n powerful a n t i b o d i e s that p r o t e c t the b a b y from p n e u m o n i a and d i a r r h e a – c a u s i n g pathogens ( 6 ) . It a l s o protects t h e baby f r o m developing a l l e r g i e s .

B r e a s t milk a l s o has a n t i b a c t e r i a l properties d u e to t h e presence o f lysozyme, a n enzyme t h a t inhibits m i c r o b i a l growth. Y o u can e x p r e s s some m i l k from y o u r breast a n d dab i t on y o u r baby’s a c n e using a piece o f cotton. T h i s should n o t be h a r m f u l to y o u r baby.

A l l said a n d done, p r e v e n t i o n is b e t t e r than c u r e , isn’t i t ?

H o w To P r e v e n t Baby A c n e ?

S i n c e baby a c n e has n o specific c a u s e and o c c u r s spontaneously, t h e r e are n o recommended p r e v e n t i v e measures. B u t you c a n follow s o m e general g u i d e l i n e s . Following a r e the v a r i o u s ways y o u can k e e p your b a b y ’ s skin s o f t and h e a l t h y :

1 . Keep y o u r baby’s s k i n clean:

H a v e a r e g u l a r bath r o u t i n e for y o u r baby. T h i s ensures t h a t his s k i n is f r e e of b a c t e r i a and d e a d cells. I t will a l s o help c o n t r o l sweat s i n c e babies h a v e underdeveloped s w e a t glands t h a t tend t o secrete e x c e s s i v e l y .

2 . Use c l e a n and c o m f o r t a b l e clothes:

Y o u r baby w i l l happily w e a r what m o m m y buys f o r him. B e sure i t is s o f t , comfortable a n d provides a m p l e room f o r movement a n d ventilation. B a b i e s can g e t quite v e x e d with t i g h t clothing, e s p e c i a l l y during s u m m e r . This c a n cause s e r i o u s skin c o n d i t i o n s that m a y require p r o m p t medical a t t e n t i o n .

3 . Change h i s diapers f r e q u e n t l y :

R e p l a c e those d i a p e r s regularly e v e n if t h e junior h a s not s o i l e d them. N a p p y rashes a r e those n a s t y blisters t h a t can o c c u r just b y moisture a n d lack o f ventilation.

4 . Keep t h e skin a m p l y moist/dry:

I f it i s humid s u m m e r , then k e e p his s k i n dry; i f it i s dry w i n t e r , then k e e p his s k i n moist. M a i n t a i n i n g a m p l e levels o f moisture a n d dryness a c c o r d i n g to t h e season i s quite i m p o r t a n t . The u n d e r d e v e l o p e d skin i s too p r i m i t i v e to m a i n t a i n moisture o n its o w n . Therefore, i t needs e x t e r n a l intervention t h r o u g h moisturizers a n d ventilation.

5 . Avoid s c r a t c h i n g or p o k i n g at a n y rash:

Y o u must n e v e r scratch, p i n c h or p o k e a r a s h on y o u r baby’s s k i n . Fiddling w i t h it w i l l aggravate t h e condition c a u s i n g a m a j o r outbreak t h a t may r e q u i r e medical a t t e n t i o n .

T h e r e can b e situations w h e n the r a s h e s on t h e skin a r e not e x a c t l y acne a n d are i n d i c a t o r s of s o m e other s k i n problem.

C o n d i t i o n s Visually S i m i l a r To B a b y Acne

T h e s e conditions m a n i f e s t through r e d bumps o r rashes o n the s k i n of t h e baby, l o o k similar t o baby a c n e :

T e e t h i n g rashes: These a r e rashes f o u n d in b a b i e s when t h e y are t e e t h i n g and c a n be a c c o m p a n i e d by m i l d fever ( 7 ) . Since t h e y look s i m i l a r to b a b y acne, y o u can m i s t a k e to b e an a c n e outbreak. B u t these r a s h e s are g e n e r a l l y harmless a n d cause n o harm t o your l i t t l e one. T h e fever c a u s e d by t h e rashes s u b s i d e s within d a y s and s t o p s recurring o n c e the t o o t h has e r u p t e d .

S k i n hives: If a baby h a s an a l l e r g y to f o r m u l a milk o r any o t h e r potential f o o d allergen, t h e n the b a b y will s h o w an a l l e r g i c reaction c a l l e d skin h i v e s . These s k i n hives l o o k like a c n e , and c a n occur a l l over t h e body. S k i n hives d i s a p p e a r once t h e allergy s u b – s i d e s .

Miliaria: Also r e f e r r e d to a s prickly h e a t , miliaria i s common a m o n g babies l i v i n g in h o t and h u m i d environments. I t occurs w h e n the s w e a t glands o f the b a b y get b l o c k e d due t o excess a c c u m u l a t i o n of s w e a t in t h e duct. T h e s e result i n red b u m p s that u s u a l l y occur o n forehead, n e c k , and c h e s t . Miliaria c a n be t r e a t e d with t o p i c a l ointments p r e s c r i b e d by a doctor.

Milia: Milia a r e small w h i t i s h bumps t h a t present t h e m s e l v e s around v a r i o u s parts o f the f a c e . They o c c u r due t o the a c c u m u l a t i o n of k e r a t i n in t h e duct o f the s w e a t gland. M i l i a are c o m p l e t e l y harmless a n d appear s p o n t a n e o u s l y only t o disappear i n weeks.

T h e best w a y to k e e p a b a b y ’ s skin h e a l t h y is b y taking g o o d care a n d being w a t c h f u l . Acne i s never g o i n g to h a r m him, b u t you m u s t always t a k e him t o a p e d i a t r i c i a n to g e t a c o n f i r m e d diagnosis.

D o you h a v e something t o share a b o u t an e x p e r i e n c e with y o u r baby’s a c n e ? Leave u s a c o m m e n t below.

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