When parents finally get to see their newborn babies after months of anticipation, they are sometimes surprised to see their infants' faces riddled with acne. Usually associated with adolescence, facial blemishes in little ones can be surprising and unexpected. Although unsightly, baby acne is a fairly common condition that rarely requires treatment and should not cause alarm.
Causes
Known as acne neonatorum, newborn acne normally occurs at or shortly after birth. It is believed to be caused by hormonal changes that occur during fetal development or by maternal hormones that cross the placenta during delivery. Infantile acne affects approximately 20 percent of newborn babies and is more prevalent in males than females.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), common causes of newborn acne can include family history, premature hormone production, developmental abnormalities and reactions to certain medications.
Appearance
Like adolescents, babies with acne develop rash-like comedones, papules or pustules on the nose, cheeks and chin. The unsightly blemishes look like adult pimples, blackheads and whiteheads and are sometimes surrounded by reddish skin. The lesions may be more noticeable when babies are fussy or hot or have skin irritations due to saliva, spit up or rough fabrics.
Treatment
Infantile acne normally subsides on its own by 2 years of age and requires no treatment. Severe cases, however, may be treated with topical antibiotics such as erythromycin. Parents should simply clean their baby's face with a mild soap and water and should avoid using any type of acne medication or lotion on delicate newborn skin unless advised to do so by a doctor.
When to See a Doctor
According to the AAD, parents should consult a physician if acne "persists for more than several weeks." Further, the academy also recommends that babies see an endocrinologist and pediatric dermatologist if acne becomes severe. In addition, parents should talk to their pediatricians if toddlers develop acne during the "acne free zone," which occurs between ages 2 and 6.
Common Misconceptions
Babies who are warmed in incubators or have fevers sometimes develop milia, which are small facial bumps that disappear within a few weeks of birth. Milia can look like newborn acne, but are unrelated. Conditions such as cradle cap or eczema can also be confused with acne in babies.
