Spotting bumps on your infant's face can be scary, but in most cases, these bumps are part of benign rashes that cause no harm. Understanding the differences between infant rashes can help you determine the cause behind the bumps and what treatment, if any, is necessary.
Milia
If you see tiny white bumps on the nose, chin or cheeks that barely peek above the surface, you are likely seeing milia, a condition that appears at birth for many babies. Skin flakes trapped near the skin's surface cause this harmless condition. In general, these miniscule bumps disappear within about three weeks. Wash your baby's face with mild baby soap and water once a day to care for the skin.
Erythema Toxicum
The name might sound frightening, but there's nothing toxic or even dangerous about erythema toxicum. If in the first week after birth, you see red blotches with pale or yellowish bumps at the center on your newborn's face, your baby may have this common condition. Erythema toxicum should disappear on its own within a week. You can bathe your baby as you normally would.
Miliaria
Don't worry, miliaria has no relation to malaria. In fact, miliaria is just the clinical name for baby acne, another harmless condition that normally goes away on its own. Characterized by red bumps that sometimes have white dots in the center, miliaria usually occurs between 2 and 4 weeks of age, but may appear up to 4 months after birth. Miliaria can last for 12 to 18 months. To treat this baby acne, bathe your baby only every two to three days, using mild baby soap and water.
Hives
Hives look similar to erythema toxicum, but hives are a very different condition. In some cases, an allergic reaction causes these red welts, but in some cases, the cause is unknown. Hives don't stay in one place, but instead move around the body, appearing in different sizes and shapes. If you suspect hives, your baby will need medical care to determine the cause and treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or a stronger, prescription medication.
Considerations
Milia, erythema toxicm, miliaria and hives are the four most likely causes of infant face bumps as these rashes present with bumps. A number of other infant rashes present without bumps. If neither of these conditions describes what you see, insect bites could be the culprit. Only your doctor can diagnose the bumps and recommend the proper treatment. Never try to pop or squeeze the bumps. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, do not apply any creams or lotions to the bumps.
