Babies Get Acne Too

Although acne is usually seen as a teenage and adult problem, even newborn babies can suffer similar skin ailments that resemble acne. In fact, so similar are these skin ailments that they are known by the term baby acne. Usually little white bumps appearance-wise, they can be unsettling for any parent to deal with. Thankfully, they usually disappear of their own accord. However, sometimes this isn't the case, so you need to know what causes baby acne, and when you need specialist help and advice. 

At its simplest, baby acne is usually caused by hormones that are present in the placenta. When they're born, these hormones transfer to the baby, and baby acne results. The effects aren't always immediate – it can take several days or weeks to manifest itself.

Baby acne is one of the types of acne whose cause can be directly attributed to hormones – in this case, the hormonal changes a woman experiences when she's pregnant. This in turn leads to the baby being infected with the acne bacteria while still in the womb, and this is what shows up when the baby is born. If the new baby has hair follicles that are naturally oily, this exacerbates the effect. 

The easy way to know if your baby has been infected by the acne bacteria is by the appearance of little white heads, usually around the forehead, chin, or even the baby's back. There will also be a red inflammation around the infected area, and if your baby becomes hot or irritable, this will also increase the effect of the acne. If your baby does suffer from this type of acne, try and ensure that there are no strong scents or dyes on their bedclothes. 

Thankfully, baby acne is a relatively short-lived ailment, and most occurrences will disappear naturally after a few days or weeks. It may resurface a few months down the line, though, so always be on the lookout for the telltale signs. 

If your baby's acne does reappear as he or she grows into an infant, it's important not to confuse baby acne with more pronounced skin ailments, such as eczema, milia and cradle cap. Milia is the most commonly mistake for baby acne, as they share similar appearances (little white bumps). However, milia is far more common than baby acne and will vanish within a few weeks. Cradle cap and eczema are more pronounced, and instead of little bumps, they will actually make the skin look dry and scaly, so the difference is more easily identified. 

If your baby is afflicted with baby acne, the good news is that it will generally disappear within a few weeks, and certainly no more than 2-3 months. However, it can be irritating, therefore you need to know what’s best to treat it. Using lukewarm water combined with a mild soap once a day is an effective method to combat baby acne. Since baby acne is caused by hormones as opposed to dirt or oil build-up, you only need to gently clean the area, as opposed to the more intense and harsher cleansing an adult needs.

Make sure you use a very mild detergent too, when washing your baby's bedclothes. Since perfume is a major factor in irritating baby acne, try not to wear strong scents yourself, as this will only heighten your baby’s discomfort. And although you should do this for health reasons anyways, keep your baby away from smoky areas, as these only clogs your baby’s pores more.

If your baby's acne is still prevalent after 6 months, or if you notice deterioration in its appearance, you should consult your local paediatrician immediately. It may be that your baby will need a prescription to help combat the acne, although this will still be a relatively mild solution. He or she will also look at your family's medical history, to see if there are any other reasons why the acne is so bad. One reason may be that your baby is developing the body's natural sex hormones early, and if this is the case, more intense treatment will be needed. 

One thing you should keep a lookout for is how your baby reacts to any medicine he or she needs to take. Sometimes, acne can be caused by a reaction to chemicals or similar found in medicines – if this is the case, check with your doctor about stopping that course of medicine, and you should soon see an improvement in your baby’s condition.