When you have a newborn, alarm bells are seemingly going off in your head every other hour. Is your babypooping enough?Napping enough, or too much? Do you need to be worried abouthiccupsoracid refluxorcradle cap? Determining when something is normal or when to be concerned can be exhausting, especially for sleep-deprived new parents.
Here, we're removing the mystery from one particular newborn occurrence: baby acne. You may be alarmed at first if you spot acne on your baby's face, but rest assured, this is a common skin condition in young babies. We turned to experts to learn more about why babies get acne on their face, what it looks like, and how to treat it.
Baby Acne
Baby acne is a broad term for a common skin condition affecting infants. It can present as reddened or white bumps on their skin, surrounded by mild inflammation. While often appearing on the face, baby acne can also appear on the body. It typically resolves on its own within a few weeks, but if you have concerns, you should reach out to a pediatrician or health care provider.
Types of Baby Acne
When we picture baby acne, we might think of generic reddened pimples that we're used to seeing on our own faces. But in truth, there are actually two types of baby acne.
The first type of baby acne is known as neonatal cephalic pustulosis, or neonatal acne. Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., the chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, explains that these are superficial pus bumps that are technically not the same as the acne we commonly think of. However, since they present similarly, they are referred to underneath the acne umbrella. “Neonatal acne is mostly on the face, but can appear on the scalp and occasionally the chest and back,” says Dr. Eichenfield, adding that you might notice this within the first few weeks of your baby's life.
The other type of baby acne is known as infantile acne. “This is very similar to the acne seen in teens and young adults,” explains Dr. Eichenfield. “It will be restricted to the face, and occurs usually a little later than the first few weeks of life.”
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What Does Baby Acne Look Like?
Acne on your baby's face will look similar to the acne that you might notice on your own—either in your present life, or when you were younger. However, there is a bit of a difference between the presentation of neonatal acne vs. that of infantile acne.
“Neonatal acne usually presents as tiny pustules or small whitehead pimples surrounded by redness and inflammation,” explains Kelly Fradin, M.D., the director of pediatrics at Atria Institute and author ofAdvanced Parenting.
Infantile acne, on the other hand, is going to look more like regular old acne. "Pimples can either be closed or open, whiteheads or blackheads, and ranging from mild to severe," adds Dr. Eichenfield.
What Causes Baby Acne?
Acne on your baby's face can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from hormones to a plethora of bacteria on the skin.
When it comes to those superficial pus bumps, AKA neonatal acne, hormones are often the culprit—but don't rule out skin irritants, either. "Neonatal acne can relate to the stimulation of the baby's glands from maternal hormones prior to birth, or from hormones that might be transmitted through breast milk," explains Dr. Eichenfield. "Additionally, it can be caused by an overgrowth of some yeast species on the skin, especially if it overlaps with cradle cap."
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How to Treat Baby Acne
For the most part, medical experts will recommend leaving the acne on your baby's face alone, as the condition is likely to clear up without any medical interventions after a few weeks' time.
"In the vast majority of cases I encourage parents to do nothing about [infantile] acne," emphasizes Dr. Fradin. "A mild daily cleansing with a hypoallergenic soap and water is all that is needed to allow acne to clear."
In some instances, a health care provider might suggest a particular medication, depending on the nature and root cause of the acne. For example, as Dr. Eichenfield points out, if a baby is struggling with both neonatal acne and cradle cap, a health care professional may decide an anti-yeast medication is needed, but neonatal acne often goes away on its own.
Infantile acne in babies may sometimes be treated with common acne medications, such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide—but only under the direction of a health care professional. "In rare circumstances, baby acne can be associated with a different underlying condition that can cause hormonal irregularities, such as an adrenal tumor or genetic problem," adds Dr. Eichenfield. "But most baby acne is mild, and caused by sensitive glands."
Does Breast Milk Help With Baby Acne?
You may have heard that breast milk can help treat or soothe baby acne. The truth is that more research is needed to determine whether or not this is fully true, but most experts agree that it can't hurt to try.
“There's not really good scientific evidence onbreast milk for baby acne, but that doesn't mean it might not have effects,” says Dr. Eichenfield. Breast milk contains antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds that may reduce inflammation that's associated with baby acne. Dr. Fradin adds that breast milk also contains probiotics that can fortify the skin's microbiome and help heal any acne caused by a yeast overgrowth.
That said, if you don't have access to breast milk, you don't have to worry, assures Dr. Eichenfield. "The [neonatal] acne can be so limited that breast milk may not help; and the acne will likely still get better on its own."
When to Contact a Health Care Provider About Baby Acne
If you have concerns or questions at any time about your baby's skin, it's always a good idea to give a health care professional a call. In general, baby acne is usually not anything to worry about; however, baby acne that transforms into more of a rash (as opposed to individual pimples), should be brought to the attention of a pediatrician or health care provider.
Dr. Fradin points out that some other conditions, like neonatal herpes, can present similarly to baby acne, so it's always a good idea to err on the side of safety. "With newborns, I always recommend extra caution," she says. When in doubt, be sure to give a health care provider a call, both for guidance, and for peace of mind.
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