What Causes Baby Acne?

Baby acne is a common condition, affecting about one in five babies. However, as with any kind of rash, it can be difficult for parents to be sure what is causing those bumps on their child's face. Sometimes, home remedies only make things worse. Learning to tell the difference between different types of rashes that can affect babies is key in knowing what to do.

Types

• Baby acne is a rash of red bumps and/or whiteheads that occurs typically at three weeks of age. The rash usually is found on the cheeks, possibly the chin or forehead and sometimes the back. This is different from milia, which are tiny white bumps present at birth or in your baby's first few days. Another type of baby rash is infantile acne, which develops after the first few months of age, and most often occurs as yellow pustules on the nose and cheeks.

Facts

• Doctors believe baby acne is most likely due to the mother's hormones crossing over into the placenta before birth and stimulating the oil glands in the baby's skin. Developing baby acne does not mean the child is at risk for teen acne later in life. Occasionally, a nursing mother could be taking medication that might cause baby acne.

Prevention/Solution

• Baby acne cannot be prevented. There are also no real cures for it, except for patience and time. Baby acne should resolve itself within a few months. If it is present longer, talk to a physician. Infantile acne has similar prognosis; as its onset is at three months, it usually will disappear before baby's first birthday.

Misconceptions

• Some misguided parents will try to make their baby's skin extra clean, thinking that will rid the baby of the rash. However, overwashing will only irritate the baby's skin. Similarly, using lotions or oils to clear up baby acne will only make the rash worse. Squeezing or pinching at the pustules could lead to infection and much more irritated skin--and a more irritated baby.

Considerations

• The best way to deal with baby acne, aside from patience, is to gently wash your baby's skin with a mild baby soap or plain water. Keep your baby clean, but do not overwash her skin. Pat the skin dry, do not rub. If the rash seems especially bad, grows worse or does not clear up as expected, see a physician. Infrequently, a topical ointment might be needed or, rarely, the rash could be a symptom of some other problem.