Baby acne: what is it and how to treat it?

A baby with pimples, it's possible. Although we acne often associated with young adults, it is almost equally common in babies in the form of baby acne (acne neonatorum). A few weeks after their birth, many children have pimples on their faces. And just like in adults, this is due to hormones. Linked to breastfeeding? No, you know. But where does that baby acne come from? We'd love to tell you all about it.

Where does baby acne come from

Baby acne actually starts when your child is still in your belly. The umbilical cord provides a strong connection between mom and baby, but that strong bond also ensures that the mother's hormones end up in the baby's blood. And that's what causes the baby acne. The hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce extra sebum, which accumulates in the skin and clogs the skin pores. And that's how pimples occur. It is remarkable, however, that these pimples will not always appear immediately after delivery. It can take up to four weeks after delivery for your baby to suffer from this. A species hormonal acne, so.

In addition to normal baby acne, we also often see a different form of acne in young children. To say it with a difficult name 'Erythema Neonatorum Toxicum', but we are also just talking about ENT. With ENT, the pimples are rather light yellow in color, and also slightly firmer in texture. There is no specific cause, but we can assure you that it is as harmless as baby acne.

Baby pimples due to products that are too oily

In addition, we see another type of baby acne, which occurs due to the use of very oily and thick ointments on baby skin. For baby skin, it is better not to use too greasy products, a moisturizing cream is enough.

How do you diagnose pimples in babies? How to recognize?

You can recognize baby pimples very easily: there are clear pimples and pimples visible. There is no need for blood tests, this type of acne can easily be recognized by a general practitioner or dermatologist.

How to care for baby acne

Patience is the most effective care. Both baby acne and ENT heal on their own. There are therefore mainly don'ts when it comes to care:

• Try not to touch the pimples. Hands are breeding grounds for bacteria, and you'd rather keep them far away from your baby's pimples. They can provoke inflammation and then it will be more difficult to get rid of them.
• Don't push the pimples out. Your child will have more pain from pushing and the acne may become inflamed, again by touch.
• Do not use oily ointments that further clog pores. Instead, opt for a thinner consistency.

Does neonatorum acne go away?

Yes, baby acne or baby pimples will go away on their own. It may take several months, but usually there is no real need for treatment. If it is difficult to go away, you can opt for treatment by a dermatologist.

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