Can infant acne lead to adolescent acne?

Can infant acne lead to adolescent acne?

Are you noticing rashes and pimples on your newborn's delicate skin? This must be infant acne, but don't worry, it's normal for babies to get acne too. This form of acne, also called baby acne, often occurs in one-month-old babies. However, there are also cases in which the pimples appear immediately after birth. It's temporary; however, it may occur intermittently within a six-month period.

Like adults, infant acne manifests itself as inflamed skin with tiny and bumpy whiteheads in the center. These are usually found on the cheeks, forehead and chin. Experts still don't know what causes acne in babies. However, these can be triggered by irritation of the skin from saliva, milk and clothing or fabrics washed with harsh soap that are frequently held close to the baby's face. It can also be triggered by certain medications taken by the mother while breastfeeding or given to the baby.

Some experts claim that infant acne is caused by the excess hormones that the baby received from the mother in the last stage of pregnancy. The baby may be in the process of eliminating these active hormones from his body, and infant acne is one of the ways through which the baby does this. Other babies may react differently to these hormones and you may not even be aware of it.

Infant acne is not life-threatening as it is a normal cleansing process for babies, so don't worry too much. It only lasts a few weeks and your baby's skin will be as soft as it was. It is manageable and in most cases treatment is not necessary. But there are things you should avoid to avoid infections that could harm your baby. Many parents think that it is caused by dirt, so they scrub the baby's skin. This should never be done as it will only irritate the skin and cause it to become even more inflamed. You can clean it with clean water and baby soap that is gentle on your baby's skin.

Also, do not treat infant acne yourself with ointments or oils, as these will only make the acne worse. If the condition of infant acne is severe, it is best to take your baby to the pediatrician or dermatologist who can recommend the right treatment. Typically, doctors recommend benzoyl peroxide creams, an antibacterial medication that helps kill bacteria that worsen acne in infants. These can be purchased without a prescription.

The doctor may also prescribe a medication that your baby may need to take for a certain period of time, but this is usually only given for severe cases of infant acne. Generally, infant acne doesn't last long, so they say the best solution is to be patient. If your baby isn't too uncomfortable, don't worry too much.

Inspired by Dave Poon