Baby Acne Solutions

For new parents, everything that seems like a slight variable, miscue or change in a baby’s health is cause for alarm. When another human being truly relies on someone for everything, there is a universal understanding that parents will be concerned. There are issues as common as mild fevers, diaper rash and a slight cough or cold that most parents can deal with, yet when unexpected health issues arise, like the strange occurrence of baby acne, what are parents to think? “Could this be a possibility? Could my baby have…baby acne?”

The answer is yes. Just as teenagers are prone to acne, and some adults experience the onset of acne after the age of 25, some babies are susceptible to what is most often considered baby acne. What most parents want to know: How does this happen—and: Did I do something wrong?

The Mystery of Baby Acne

Like acne in teens and adults, the reason baby acne develops is due to dead skin cells, small amounts of P-Acne bacteria on the skin, and sebum (skin oil) secreted by the sebaceous gland; however, the “cause” behind why acne happens in infants is a mystery. It has long been thought that the maternal hormones babies are exposed to during pregnancy might have created a higher sensitivity in the developing sebaceous glands, yet evidence for such a theory is still inconclusive.

When Does Baby Acne Occur?

Baby acne generally shows up any time after birth, and peaks around the 8 week mark. It’s not uncommon for it to last for a few days, a couple weeks or even a month. Ultimately, it’s not something to be concerned about, unless it seems to irritate the child, and at that point, medical assistance can be sought. Most often, doctors will suggest just waiting until the baby acne dissipates and stops developing, but if it seems to be a more serious problem, certain ointments, gentle in nature, can be used to help fight the problem.

Baby Acne Symptoms

Many parents confuse baby acne with the small bumps that are whitish in color known as milia. Baby acne is actually red in color, and look like small zits or pimples that would be found on more mature skin. In the medical community, the condition is often referred to as Acne Infantum, or Acne Neonatorum. When the baby acne develops, symptoms may be quite mild or a little more severe, causing break outs in patchy areas—baby acne may even form pustules. Parents should avoid trying to squeeze any blistery pustules or treating the baby acne as they might their own skin, and simply continue to use and rely on mild cleansers.

Perhaps one of the positives about baby acne is that the child is unaware of any issue—one of the true frustrations about dealing with acne later in life. Along those lines, there is little to no correlation of whether baby acne will serve as a precursor to acne during adolescence or adulthood.

For concerns about baby acne, it’s not necessary to seek the counsel of a dermatologist. The services of the child’s pediatrician will suffice.