Baby acne: Causes, symptoms and treatment
Is your newborn developing baby acne? What causes it and how can you get rid of it? You've come to the right place to discover how to treat your baby's blemishes at home and when to seek medical advice
It’s completely normal to feel a little worried when you notice spots or bumps on your baby’s skin. But rest assured, baby acne is a common and harmless condition that often clears up on its own. The condition is also known as neonatal acne or neonatal cephalic pustulosis.
Baby acne appears as small red or white bumps on a baby’s face, typically on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and sometimes chest or back.
It can be concerning to see these blemishes on your precious newborn's skin. You'll be relieved to know that it is a common skin condition and you'll also be relieved to know that it doesn't last long – most cases clear up within a few weeks or at most, a few months.
As a new or seasoned parent, we know you're wondering what causes baby acne and if there are any effective baby acne treatments out there. Let’s break it down so you know what to look for, what to expect and when to seek medical advice.
What is baby acne?
Contrary to what some might think, baby acne is quite common. It affects around 20% of newborns and is considered a normal condition associated with their developing skin. Parents often notice it within the first month of their child's life, though it can sometimes appear a bit later.
Baby acne looks like tiny red or white spots that gather in a concentrated area of your baby's skin. They can also appear slowly, developing a few at a time.
It generally resolves on its own without the need for medical treatment but be sure to have your baby officially diagnosed by a doctor before taking any action. There are other skin conditions that look or behave similarly to baby acne such as milia (milk spots) or erythema toxicum neonatorum. The latter shows up similarly to baby acne but tends to show up on babies a week after being born.
It's advisable to book an appointment with your GP and have your baby be seen by a medical professional so they can diagnose your baby properly.
Most baby acne cases clear up within a few weeks to a few months. In some rare cases, it can last longer but it typically doesn’t leave any scars or have long-term effects.
What causes baby acne?
The actual root cause of baby acne is unknown but it occurs when the hair follicles on your baby's skin are blocked, which end up leading to natural oils building up and clogging up the pores. Similar to adults, when pores clog up you can easily develop pimples and spots.
Babies also have sensitive skin which can easily become irritated with residue that's been left on their skin for a prolonged period of time such as drool, vomit or milk. Be sure to clean your baby's face after a feed or eating food and avoid heavy, greasy skincare products on their skin.
Breastfeeding may be a contributing factor to baby acne as the hormones in the parent's milk can affect the baby's hormones, causing the spots to develop. Simply allow your baby time to adjust to being in the outside world and their new environment and the pimples should disappear naturally on their own.
What are the symptoms of baby acne?
Baby acne bumps appear on the skin as tiny red or white spots. They show up on your baby's face, cheek, nose and sometimes their neck and back.
The spots can sometimes appear as small, discoloured pimples on their skin before developing into red, raised pimples. Over time, as the inflammation of the spot decreases, likewise the size of the spot decreases too.
For reference, baby acne looks a bit like the acne you’d see in teenagers or adults, but on a much smaller and less severe scale. Sometimes the bumps can appear more pronounced when your baby is crying or if their skin comes into contact with rough fabrics or spit-up.
You'll be pleased to know that, unlike other skin conditions like eczema, baby acne doesn’t tend to be itchy or cause discomfort for your baby. Their skin may still look smooth and supple to the touch even if it’s a bit spotty.
By the time your baby is 3-4 months old, you’ll likely notice the spots fading away completely, leaving their skin as soft as ever.
How to treat baby acne
Treating baby acne is usually a matter of patience as those pesky pimples tend to clear up all on their own, without the need for any treatment.
You can use a mild, fragrance-free baby cleanser and warm water to wash your baby's face (and any affected area) once daily. Make sure to pat the cleansed area dry with a towel, avoiding scrubbing harshly.
We know it's tempting to want to apply creams or oils to treat the affected area but unless specifically recommended by your health visitor or doctor, it is recommended to stay clear from these as they can clog pores and exacerbate the problem.
If your GP offers treatment for your baby's acne it will most likely be in the form of an antifungal cream or mild steroid cream.
Your baby's skin will be back to normal if you give it time and leave it alone but if you feel like the spots are lasting longer than expected, it’s always worth checking in with your GP or health visitor for peace of mind.
Remember, baby acne doesn’t bother your baby as much as it might bother you!
When to seek medical advice
As mentioned previously, baby acne is harmless and doesn’t bother your baby much at all.
However, there are occasions when seeking medical advice is the right course of action. If your baby’s acne seems severe, lasts for several months or is accompanied by other symptoms like a high temperature (fever), excessive redness, swelling or oozing, it’s a good idea to consult your GP.
These symptoms could be signs of other skin conditions such as eczema or a bacterial infection which will need specific treatment.
Don't be afraid to go with your parent's intuition, if your baby's skin seems unusual or concerning – call your doctor for medical advice. Your GP or health visitor is there to support you and your baby’s health despite how small the issue may seem.
Pic: Getty
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Authors
Janet is a Digital Journalist for MadeForMums and mother to a boy and girl both under 4. With a keen eye and passion for creating online media content, she enjoys sharing her own journey of motherhood, and providing encouragement for new mums.
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