Baby Acne

By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

Much to the dismay of many parents, baby acne is a quite common condition. The cause is often hormonal in nature, and baby acne typically appears as small whiteheads on the child's cheeks, chin, or forehead. Your baby may be born with acne, or it may show itself within the first few weeks of life. If you suspect your baby has a case of acne, the following discussion about baby acne and how it can best be managed will be important toward healing.

What Is Acne?

Acne is often associated with adolescents as it is usually caused by the sex hormone androgen that is released during puberty. However, it can strike people of all ages, including babies. Acne, or acne vulgaris as it is officially known, generally exhibits itself in highly visible locations such as the face, chest, neck, and back. It most commonly develops when an oil gland in the skin becomes clogged. As the oil backs up, the gland swells and can potentially become infected as well.

Does My Baby Have Acne?

If your baby's skin is irritated, it could be acne, or it might be another inflammatory condition. One of the characteristic signs of baby acne is the appearance of small whiteheads that are surrounded by red, irritated skin. They are usually found on the face, but may sometimes appear on the back too. Baby acne is often more visible if your baby is overheated or fussy, or if other irritants are bothering him/her. Common culprits include spit-up, saliva, soap, or clothes that have been laundered in a harsh detergent.

A condition sometimes mistaken for baby acne is called milia. Milia causes tiny facial bumps at birth, but it is not related to acne, and usually goes away on its own in a few weeks. Cradle cap irritates the skin of infants too, but it is scalier in appearance than acne, and is found on different parts of the body, usually the top of the head or behind the ears. Another common rash on your baby's skin could be a case of eczema.

What Causes Baby Acne?

There are a number of factors that may contribute to baby acne. The most likely one is a transfer of hormones between mother and baby during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Certain medications can cause skin irritation too, and these can also be passed from mom to baby. If baby comes in contact with petroleum products or other oily compounds, this too could produce acne.

Does Baby Acne Hurt?

Most of the time, baby acne is harder on the parents than on the baby. Most baby acne does not cause any pain for the child, and he/she is not yet old enough to be self-conscious about the blemishes. In some severe cases, your baby's acne may become swollen and sensitive, and can be aggravating to him/her. If you think this is the case, consult with your pediatrician.

How long Does Baby Acne Last?

Most baby acne only lasts several weeks, but sometimes chronic acne may be intermittent until the age of six months or so. Check with your child's health care provider if the acne continues into toddler hood.

How Can I Treat My Baby's Acne?

Perhaps a better question would be what don't I do to treat baby acne. Do not scrub or harshly wash the skin. This will only increase the irritation and worsen the problem. Gently cleanse the skin once a day with water and a mild soap. If your child has very sensitive skin, you may want to wash with warm water only.

Avoid the use of skin care products on the baby's skin. These may further irritate the area. Be sure to wash clothing and bedding with a gentle, natural detergent that will not aggravate baby's skin.

Can I Cover My Baby's Acne With Make Up?

It is not recommended that you apply any cosmetics to your baby's sensitive skin. However, for a special occasion such as a photo shoot, you may choose to temporarily cover up blemishes, but don't leave the makeup on very long. The best choice for a situation like this would be a natural, organic concealer that is a close match with your baby's skin color and tone.

www.acne-answers.org

About the Author

Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Clinical Herbalist in Houston, TX and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Under her leadership, Oasis Advanced Wellness is known and respected as one of the leading companies in providing safe and clean hi-tech natural health and wellness solutions. Because of the need for high-end natural and organic skin care products, Dr. Lanphier has developed Lanique Organics, an all-natural skin-care line which promotes natural health for the skin. All Lanique and OAW developed products are free of toxic ingredients, excipients and preservatives and are certified organic, organic, wild crafted or of the highest purity and quality that we can obtain while still providing the utmost degree of active ingredients. All product batches are laboratory tested to ensure that you are getting exactly what the label states. We will never knowingly compromise health in order to provide a cheaper product or to get a product out quickly. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide Free E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. We invite you to visit us at Oasis Advanced Wellness, the PMS-Progesterone-Menopause Resource Center, the Acne Resource Center, the Skin Care Resource Center, the Glyconutrient Resource Center, the Allergy-Asthma-Sinus Relief Resource Center and www.oasisserene.com