Understanding and Treating Baby Acne

Baby acne, also called neonatal acne, is a very common skin condition. Rest assured, it is generally a "benign" condition in babies. But wait, we are talking about baby acne! How can a baby develop acne? How to treat it? Should you consult a doctor? Zawadi explains everything!

Better understanding of baby acne:

It is important to know that neonatal acne is much more developed than one might think because dermatologists estimate that 20% of babies will develop acne.

Neonatal acne usually appears from two to four weeks after birth, although in some cases you can observe it at birth. It manifests itself through small red or white pimples, papules or pustules often on the face. Keep a close eye on your baby's cheeks, forehead, chin and sometimes scalp.

This acne is mainly due to hormones transmitted by the mother through the placenta before birth. These hormones, in general, are of male origin and will stimulate your baby's sebaceous glands and can cause an acne outbreak.

Let's also not forget that the infant's skin, which is not yet developed, overreacts to all stimuli, whether external through irritants or internal through these hormones.

Note that baby acne is not painful and does not cause itching. It also does not predispose to future juvenile acne (pubertal acne).

Neonatal acne should not be confused with heat rash or eczema. Heat rash appears on various exposed areas of the body (forehead, neck, torso, hands, feet, etc.) and folds such as the armpits or groin, while hives (like eczema) appear as red patches accompanied by itching.

But then, how do you treat baby acne?

In general, this acne is not treated at all like adult acne.

1. We will simply clean the baby's skin with gentle cleansing products suitable for baby's sensitive skin. Such as dermatological soaps that you can find in pharmacies
2. We will avoid rubbing the skin especially the areas where pimples appear. It is better to dab with a clean towel
3.  We will exclude anything that is fatty product
4. We avoid handling the pimples so we should neither squeeze nor scratch them because this can cause infections or irritations.

In conclusion, baby acne is completely temporary, it usually disappears after a few weeks or a few months at the most. However, you should consult your pediatrician if this acne lasts beyond six months or if it is accompanied by symptoms that appear suddenly such as fever or severe irritation.