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Baby
Information
10/13/2008 - by Anne Marie
Nielson
Baby
Acne
What is Baby Acne?
Baby acne, (Acne Neonatorum), show up as small red lesions that
appear usually on baby’s cheeks. They may also show up on the
chin, the bridge of the nose, forehead and back. They will
usually develop within the first 2 to 4 weeks after birth,
although in some cases the acne may be present at birth.
This is caused by the oil glands in baby’s face to be
stimulated by the maternal hormones that are passed through the
placenta by the mother in the final stages of
pregnancy.
What can I do about Baby
Acne?
Usually baby acne will clear up on its own within 6 months. If
it lasts longer than this or appears to become infected you
should consult your pediatrician. If the acne doesn’t clear up
on its own or is severe, your pediatrician may prescribe a
medicated cream or other treatment.
Keep baby’s face clean with warm water a couple of times a day.
Don’t wash too much as this can be a cause of irritation to the
skin. Don’t scrub, pinch the pimples or use abrasive soap. This
will only irritate the acne and may cause infection. Dry the
face by patting gently. Avoid using creams or oils without
checking with your doctor as this may also aggravate the
condition.
Use a gentle detergent to wash your baby’s clothes and make
sure that the clothes are rinsed thoroughly. The detergent may
be causing the skin to react which may worsen the acne.
Why does my Baby’s Acne seem to
be getting worse?
If your baby’s acne looks like it
is becoming infected consult your pediatrician.
The acne may appear worse when
your baby is crying. This is due to the increased blood flow to
the face. This may stimulate the oil glands further and
speeding up the oil production. It may also appear worse when
your baby is hot or fussy for the same reason. Avoid over
bundling your baby and keep the air flowing around the face.
While it’s good to cover your baby in the cold temperatures,
don’t leave the cover on too long. Saliva or milk on the facial
area will irritate the area and seem to worsen the
condition.
Mom’s hormones are also going
through a lot of changes and may affect the acne in breast fed
babies. There is no harm in this and should not be a reason to
stop breast feeding.
Can I prevent Baby
acne?
Baby acne is a normal occurrence
and is difficult, if not impossible, to prevent. Soon the oil
glands will return to normal and the acne will clear
up.
Just do the best you can to keep
the area clean and baby comfortable. The acne usually doesn’t
bother your baby. It may be upsetting to parents who want
perfect pictures of their perfect baby. Just remember that your
baby is perfect just the way he or she is!
At From
Pregnancy To Baby, we try to provide you with all of the
latest information about going through your pregnancy from your
first trimester to the first years of your new babies life. We
also provide the highest quality books and products to help you
through that time.
Source: http://www.frompregnancytobaby.com/Baby-Acne.html
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