The causes, symptoms and natural treatment
If you have been thinking the adolescent skin break out is only for the teens, well, it is time to change your mindset. Below are just some causes of baby acne and some steps that you could take, and get to know how to make baby acne go away.
If you have noticed that your baby has more breakouts than an eighth-grader, then there are a few things you will need to be aware of. Just when you were planning to get those selfies, and you notice a pimple on the eyelid or some rushes appearing on her forehead. Not to worry, this sign of puberty in your baby is very common, and it tends to start about 2 to 3 weeks after birth.
The good news is this phase is temporary, no need to panic.
What causes baby acne?
The development of baby acne is very common, as 40% of children get affected. This could be on her face or body, and just like any acne breakout, hormones are to blame. Yes, even in newborns, hormones affect them and cause the breakout, but for the newborns, it is not their hormones. Instead, it’s mum’s hormones that could be bringing the pimple problems.
Moms hormones are still fresh and circulating in your baby’s bloodstream; it is why the breakout comes just 2 to 3 weeks after birth. The maternal hormones will stimulate the oil-producing glands in your baby, thus causing the pimples to appear on her chin, cheeks, eyelids, and the forehead.
At times these rushes could move to her back, neck, head, and even the upper chest.
The pores are yet to develop
Your baby’s pores have not yet developed; thus, it makes these rushes to be easy targets to dirt together with the sudden blossoming of blemishes.
And as you know, your baby’s skin is still very delicate and sensitive, which could be another factor to the baby acne.
Some symptoms of baby acne
Just like the acne we see or experience in adults or teenagers, baby acne will appear like small red pimples or bumps developing. You might also notice that some whiteheads are growing, and around the pimple, there might be some reddish skin.
Babies tend to develop acne on their cheeks, but it is not limited to this as you might notice the breakout anywhere on her face. If your baby is a little fussy and crying, the acne breakout might become a bit more pronounced. To keep the breakout under control, try to ensure your baby’s fabric is soft and not perfumed, as rough material tends to irritate the skin.
Additionally, it is good to keep her face dry and clean as saliva and vomit that stays on her face could also irritate her delicate skin.
How to make baby acne go away
The good news about this type of acne is that it clears by itself without the use of treatments; all you need to do is be patient. You might find that your baby’s acne has lingered for several months instead of just a few weeks. Not to worry, their ways you can work around this situation.
If your baby is having a stubborn acne breakout, consult your pediatrician as they may be in a better position to prescribe a medicated ointment or cream that will help in clearing it all up. As your baby’s skin is very delicate and is still developing, it is not advisable to use the OTC acne treatments, lotions, or face wash.
Using such products on her delicate skin might worsen the breakout and irritate her skin if the products are too strong.
A few tips that you should follow and how to get rid of baby acne
1. As the whiteheads are developing, do not be tempted to pop them, pick, squeeze or scrub them, just let it be and let nature take its course.
2. What you can do is try to clean her skin with warm water around two to three times a day, just to keep the dirt away from her delicate skin. Then pat her skin dry, do this gently; nothing should be popping.
3. In the affected areas, do not use soap or lotion.
4. Please don’t use any skincare products that have been designed for adults; remember her skin pores are yet to develop, and these acnes and skincare products might be tough on her skin.
5. Try to use natural baby acne treatment. This is the use of breast milk. It has been found that breast milk is nature’s excellent food and great medicine for infants due to the antimicrobial goodness it is loaded with. It has been found this is the best natural way to clear your infant’s acne. All you need to do is dab the affected area with some breast milk, and watch the milk do its magic.
6. If you feel the acne has been a little too stubborn, you could ask your pediatrician for some assistance. But ensure you are safe in whatever creams and ointments you are using on your baby’s skin.
These are simple steps you could follow on how to get rid of baby acne.
Could it be a rash, or is it acne?
At times, you might be confusing a simple rash as an acne breakout. Milia is also another common skin condition that most infants experience; it is essential to note that these two conditions are not the same.
For baby acne, it
will look like small red pimples, as
for Milia, these are very tiny white
bumps or just
whiteheads on your baby. Treatment for both conditions is
the same; you just need to ensure you keep her skin clean; this is by washing
with a soft cloth, drying gently, wipe with some breastmilk if you
like, and patiently wait for it to clear up.
But the skin conditions on babies do not stop here as there is a number you would need to be aware of. And for these types, they could be a little itchy and uncomfortable than the acne breakout.
Other common conditions
Some heat rash.
They form clusters of very tiny red bumps that are moist; they might look a little similar to acne. You will find these on your baby’s legs, arms, upper chest, and at times around the diaper area. If it is very hot outside, you might notice these rashes on her face. Her skin might feel a little tingly or itchy, which could make her crankier than usual.
The cradle cap
This is also referred to as seborrheic dermatitis; it might look like acne, but the red bumps are much smaller, and it might be yellow and flaky, something that seems a little like scales. These rashes are commonly found on your baby’s head, but for some, it might spread to the eyebrows and the upper body.
Diaper rash.
The rash is usually caused by moisture, very little air in your baby’s diaper, and irritants. It will appear as irritated, red skin around the diaper area.
Eczema in infants
For this type of condition, you will notice that your baby’s skin looks red, flaky, and dry, which appears in patches. The patches could be on her scalp or cheeks. And slowly, the rash might spread to her elbow creases or behind her knees, and over time they might progress to fluid-filled pimples that tend to pop.
How long does baby acne last?
After you have gone through the different skin conditions above and you are sure it is baby acne, then this is a skin condition that quickly clears up. It could be in a matter of weeks or just a few months to about when your baby reaches six months. If at around six months, the baby ace has not yet cleared, it is advisable that you consult a professional.
The other good news about baby acne is that it won’t leave any scars on your baby’s skin like the grown acne version we have been accustomed to. Plus, this does not predict the future acne problems that are witnessed during their teenage years.
When you should consult a doctor
Baby acne is not something you should have sleepless nights about as it almost goes away on its own without the use of any intervention. But if you notice the bumps look like they could be infected, it might be a good time to consult a professional.
What to look out for is if your baby’s skin appears to be a little extra red, there is some swelling or discharge or if there is a fever. These symptoms will need professional help. In case you suspect she has an allergic reaction or it could be eczema, then a prescribed cream will be required to keep things under control.
When you hit the 6-month mark, and the acne is still present and not responding to the home treatments, it is also an excellent time to book an appointment with your pediatrician. Once this has been looked into, the baby acne does not recur.
