While many associate acne with teenagers, it is not uncommon for babies to experience red acne bumps at birth or three to four weeks of age, according to DrGreene.com. Neither acne nor the outbreak of eczema, a condition where your child develops dry, scaly patches of skin, are cause for concern. Treatment options vary, and in the case of eczema, preventive treatments are available to heal either skin condition.
Causes
Baby acne is the result of lingering hormones that may have transferred from mother to child. Just as these hormones cause acne in adults, they cause the skin to increase oil production, which can clog pores and create acne in babies, according to DrGreene.com.
Eczema is another condition that affects a baby's skin, and is the result of allergies and a predisposition toward developing dry skin, according to askdrsears.com.
Identification
Baby acne resembles whiteheads that have redness around the edges. In addition to their physical appearance, baby acne may be more pronounced when your baby is hot or after he has spit up, according to babycenter.com.
Baby acne typically appears only on the face. Eczema, however, can appear on other parts of the body. Eczema also appears to be more scaly and dry than acne.
Time Frame
Baby acne can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, according to babycenter.com. While baby acne is a normal occurrence, acne that extends beyond the three-month mark may require additional medical attention to ensure a more serious underlying problem is not present.
According to askdrsears.com, eczema may continue throughout childhood when your child is exposed to irritants that exacerbate the condition. However, the condition typically improves with age and serves as only a minor inconvenience, according to askdrsears.com.
Treatment
Baby acne typically does not require special treatments in order to eradicate the condition, according to drgreene.com. However, gently cleansing the face with water may help reduce acne occurrence.
Another method of treating eczema is to moisturize the skin anywhere from two to four times daily with a gentle lotion that does not contain perfumes, according to askdrsears.com. If your baby's itching due to eczema seems extreme, allergy medications known as antihistamines may help reduce overall symptoms.
Prevention
Because baby acne is the result of hormones already in the body, the onset of baby acne cannot be prevented.
However, eczema can be prevented through a number of actions. First, if your child suffers from repeated outbreaks, applying a cortisone cream can help delay or minimize outbreaks, according to Life.FamilyEducation.com.
Refraining from using soap and detergents that contains dyes also may help reduce eczema occurrences. Using a humidifier to re-introduce moisture into your child's room can reduce the dryness that can cause eczema on skin to occur.
