About Baby Acne

Baby acne, also called acne neonatorum, affects approximately 1 of every 5 babies. Baby acne is a complexion problem that usually affects the chin, cheeks or forehead. Treatment for baby acne is usually just to leave it alone, even though it can be stressful for a parent to see acne on a newborn. Babies who suffer from acne will only have red marks until about 4 months after the baby's birth. Just because your child is diagnosed with baby acne does not mean she will experience acne as a teenager.

Significance

• The appearance of baby acne may be frightening to new parents. Baby acne is fairly common, though not often talked about. Your child will probably not be born with baby acne. It may take a few weeks for baby acne to fully develop, but it will not last longer than a few months. If your baby's complexion looks very different from other babies the same age, take your child to the pediatrician.

Function

• Baby acne forms when the baby's sebaceous glands try to clear out remaining maternal hormones that have passed through the placenta. Baby acne does not signify anything but blocked pores. Baby acne does not mean that your baby is more predisposed to acne, or that your child is more mature than most babies. In 4 months, babies who suffered from baby acne will look identical to babies who did not suffer from baby acne.

Size

• Acne bumps on infants usually look red and raised, about the size of a normal adult pimple. If your child has smaller bumps similar to goosebumps on the face, this is a condition called milia, which has nothing to do with baby acne. Baby acne has the same natural response to clogged sebaceous glands as adult acne--though having adult acne will not lead a parent to have a child with baby acne or vice versa.

Misconceptions

• After seeing red bumps on their infant's skin, parents may overreact and take their children to the doctor for prescription lotions and pills. But the best treatment for baby acne is nothing at all. If you let the oil glands do their job, the problem will clear up more quickly than using a prescription drug that may be unsafe for your baby's skin.

Considerations

• If you see red marks on your baby's face, do not automatically assume it is baby acne and ignore it. Red splotches or marks on your baby could signify an allergic reaction. If you are unsure, take your child to the doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor prescribes you a cream or any other prescription medication, let your medication take its course before discontinuing it.