Newborns can get acne too! What you need to know about baby acne

First time mums-to-be usually have a vision about what their baby would look like, once born.

An adorable little face, perfect fingers and toes and petal-smooth skin are just a few of the features mums-to-be dream about. And dreams turn to reality when the new mummy sees her little one’s cute face and tiny digits… but when it comes to smooth newborn skin, a parent’s hopes may be dashed more often than not.

When your little one is born, don’t be surprised if you notice his skin is worse than a teenager’s. Yes, baby acne is real and very common — and absolutely nothing to be worried about.

Still, it’s best to arm yourself with plenty of knowledge about this skin condition, just to avoid unnecessary anxiety.

What is baby acne and what causes it?

This skin condition is real acne that often develops on a baby’s (usually, newborn’s) body or face, according to Healthline.

According to Web MD, recent research suggests that baby acne may be connected to yeast, rather than oil production. Expert also mention that the condition is “often caused by exposure in the womb to maternal hormones.”

Baby acne is most commonly seen on a little one’s forehead, nose and/or cheeks, and sometimes on the back. It is a common, yet temporary skin condition.

What does baby acne look like?

Similar to acne that appears on adults and teenagers, baby acne looks like pimples — red bumps, white pustules or even whiteheads. Sometimes, the bumps are surrounded by reddened skin, according to Healthline.

Many babies also get little white bumps on their nose, cheeks or chin, known as milia. These emerge when dead skin cells are trapped within tiny pockets of skin. They are unrelated to baby acne and, say Mayo Clinic doctors, and do not need treatment.

When does baby acne appear?

While you might notice baby acne on your little one’s face at birth, according to medical experts, it most commonly develops two to four weeks after birth.

It can last for anywhere from a few days or weeks, to several months.

Baby acne can look like actual pimples, or as in this image, red bumpy patches on the skin.

What could aggravate baby acne?

You may notice an increase in this skin condition if your baby is fussy or cries a lot. Also, rough fabrics may irritate and worsen the acne, as can saliva or spit-up on the skin if left there for too long.

Can baby acne be prevented or treated?

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent baby acne. But the good news is that it almost always clears up on its own — and without scarring — say the medical experts at Mayo Clinic.

While it usually doesn’t linger on for more than a few days or weeks, sometimes it persists for months. In this case, according to experts, some paediatricians may recommend a medicated cream or ointment that could help get rid of the acne.

Do not use any over-the-counter ointments or other acne remedies available in pharmacies as your baby’s skin is extremely sensitive and may react with a worsening of the acne or even another, far more serious skin condition.

What can you do to help your baby’s acne until it clears?

Here are a few things you can do to keep your little one’s skin as healthy as possible while waiting for his acne to clear, as recommended by Healthline.

1. Do not squeeze the pimples

Doing this will only irritate your baby’s tender skin and make the condition worse.

2. Keep your little one’s face clean

Wash your baby’s face daily with warm water and a soft cloth, or just simply use your hands during bath time to gently clean your little one’s skin.

3. Avoid scrubbing

Rubbing at your baby’s skin with a washcloth could make the acne worse and hurt his skin. Instead, gently sweep a warm wet washcloth over your baby’s face in a circular motion.

4. No lotions

These could just make the acne worse, so until your little one’s skin clears, skip the lotions. However, some mums say applying a little expressed breastmilk on the acne can help.

5. Be patient

You might be itching to try various ways of getting rid of your baby’s acne, but only time can heal, so be patient.

When to call a doctor

If you are in any way worried about your baby’s acne, do seek a doctor’s opinion without delay. You could even bring it up during one of your baby’s regular check-ups.

In some babies, baby acne may be confused with an allergic reaction or even eczema. Your baby’s paediatrician will be able to determine if this is the case, and suggest appropriate remedies.

Featured image from Pinterest.

We hope you found this article useful. Has your baby experienced baby acne? Did you do anything about it? Let us know in a comment below.