Sometimes, even small babies might develop acne due to lingering hormones carried over from the mother after delivery. These hormones will cause irregular activity in the sebaceous glands, causing excessive production of skin oil. The baby continues to get these hormones after delivery through breast milk.
Around 20% of all newborns have acne-neonatorum or baby acne. Do not worry too much if your baby has pimples.
Though there are some common causes of acne in babies, adolescents, and adults, it must be clear that baby acne requires a completely different approach in treatment. This age group has the most careful treatment because of the young age.
Baby acne affects more boys than girls. Most babies have acne attacks after they are 3 weeks old, though there are cases where babies will be born with acne. Most of the acne in babies is in the form of papules or pustules. Papules are the red bumps on the skin while pustules are simply whiteheads. They will usually be filled with pus.
Some baby acne can even affect the skin on the scalp. In most cases, baby acne seldom requires any treatment. The lesions in the skin usually heal by themselves within four months. However, normal care of the baby’s skin should continue in order to ensure that the problem does not become severe.
You should use mild baby soap and clean the baby gently with water at least once a day. Do not use regular soap or other harsh materials like oil or lotions. They will most likely make things worse. Remember that baby acne will heal with time and there is nothing you can do to hasten the process.
Parents sometimes apply cosmetics to the baby’s face in their eagerness to take a good picture but this is a very bad practice. The skin of a baby is extremely sensitive and you must keep it away from all cosmetic products.
If the acne gets severe, get it checked by the doctor and you will most likely be advised to treat the acne with benzoyl peroxide, topical creams, and keratolytic agents.
Note that if your family has a hereditary acne problem, it does not necessarily mean that a baby in the family will be born with it. Similarly, just because the baby has it does not mean that it will have an acne problem during adolescence or later years. Acne is a very unpredictable condition.
Baby acne will mostly appear after the baby is 3 months old and go away on its own by 12 months of age. Usually, treatment is not required. Sometimes baby acne may last up to 3 years because of genetic factors.
Parents can only watch baby acne appear and then disappear. There is nothing more to be done about it.