Baby Acne: A Parent’s Guide To Cause & Treatment
Parenting is an out-of-the-world experience. Watching your newborn eat, sleep or even blow a spit bubble evokes countless emotions of pure joy. But on the flip side, even a mole-sized problem seems huge when it comes to our babies. And this is why when you notice the tiny zits or acne on your baby’s face, it sparks waves of concern.
You’d be relieved to know that baby acne is usually a harmless condition in babies. Up to 20% of newborns are affected by baby acne.1 The zits may take the form of pimples, pustules or bumps & may appear on the face, chest & sometimes other body parts.
In this blog, we’ll cover all the basic facts about baby acne. And also mention tips & suggestions so that you as a parent or caregiver can address this condition like a pro!
Understanding Baby Acne
Baby acne is pretty much similar to teenage acne in their appearance.2 Your baby either has them at birth or they may appear sometime later (at around 3-4 weeks). The acne becomes more prominent & visible when your baby cries due to an increase in blood flow at that time.3 If a baby has acne, they will most likely not have blackheads.2
Baby acne may take the form of:2
- Pustules: Just like the name hints, these are pus-filled & surrounded by a dark-coloured red or purplish ring.
- Papules: These are simply small bumps which are red or purple in colour.
The most commonly affected areas include the baby’s cheeks & nose. But getting baby acne on other parts such as the forehead, chin, scalp & neck isn’t uncommon.2
Baby acne may develop gradually, evolving from tiny discoloured spots into raised pimples. Or they may even appear suddenly out of the blue. The size of baby acne reduces once the inflammation subsides, and gradually it goes away.2
Having understood the basics of baby acne, let’s explore its causes.
What Causes Baby Acne?
Exposure to mommy’s hormones when in the womb, is the generally suspected cause of baby acne. Occasionally, hormones passed through breast milk may also stand to be blamed. These hormones may mess with the baby’s sebum production machinery. Sebum is an oil-like substance that the human body produces for skin & hair maintenance. And excess sebum may clog pores. This eventually leads to the formation of baby acne.2
Since your newborn’s skin is super sensitive, any external material on their skin such as food residue, saliva, etc, if left uncleaned, may react adversely & cause baby acne.2
So are there ways to help manage your baby’s acne? Read on to discover essential tips towards managing baby acne.
Tips To Prevent & Manage Baby Acne
While there isn’t much you can do to stop baby acne, you can make use of the following tips to help it clear up quickly:
- Wash their skin very gently without scrubbing. Use warm water and a gentle cleanser for the same.4 Consider opting for AreoVeda’s Head-To-Toe Foam Face Wash that doubles as a shampoo and a body wash.
- Pat dry your baby’s skin after washing.2
- Avoid using oily skincare products such as creams or lotions as they may end up blocking their pores further.2 Instead, you can opt for an oil-free moisturiser such as AreoVeda’s Moisturising Baby Spray Lotion which is 99.7% natural. It’s light-weight, non-greasy & fast absorbing & specially designed to calm & soothe acne-prone baby skin.
- If your baby throws up or has food residue all over their face, clean it immediately.2
- You must resist the temptation to pop them or squeeze them out.2
Final Words
Baby acne is just a part of the growing-up process for some babies. Moreover, these are usually harmless & go away on their own. For some babies, the acne clears up within a few days while for others it lasts for a couple of weeks. If the acne doesn’t seem to be clearing up even after the stipulated time, or you notice some other symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a dermatologist or paediatrician.
FAQs
Q1. How To Get Rid Of Baby Acne?
Regular and gentle cleansing with warm water and mild cleanser helps. Also it’s important to avoid using greasy skincare products.2
Q2. Does Kissing My Baby Cause Acne?
No, kissing does not cause baby acne.2
Q3. When Does Baby Acne Clear?
Baby acne clears on its own in a few weeks.2
Q4. Is Baby Acne Permanent?
No, baby acne is a temporary condition that usually resolves within a few days to a couple of weeks.2
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