|
Tip! Dead skin cells, bacteria, and sebum drain to the surface of the skin; the pigments are exposed to air, which causes the black color.
To the dismay of their parents, lots of newborn babies often experience skin breakouts that are alarmingly similar to acne. These bumps are in fact often talked as 'baby acne.' But what are these unsightly bumps that usually manifest themselves as white bumps? Fortunately, baby acne is usually nothing to worry about much. The condition is quite common and usually reduces on its own. But what causes baby acne? And when do you know when it's time to get professional help?
Baby acne can be due to many hormones that pass through the placenta right before the birth of an infant. Many babies are born with baby acne, but still others get the condition days or weeks after birth. The occurrence of baby acne can be attributed to the hormones that are passed from mother to child. When a child is in the womb, they are exposed to different hormonal changes and fluctuations. When a baby receives a surge of these hormones and the right conditions are in place, a baby will likely suffer from baby acne. What are the right conditions? The infants whose hair follicles are naturally well oiled are more vulnerable to experiencing baby acne.
Tip! Acne is an extremely common skin affliction affecting around 85% of teenagers and young adults as well as a significant proportion of adults.
How do you know if your baby is getting baby acne? In general, baby acne manifests itself as small whiteheads that appear on the chin, forehead, and sometimes the child's back. The whiteheads mainly are accompanied by a reddening of the skin. The red, inflamed skin and whiteheads may become exacerbated or more pronounced when your child becomes irritated, hot, or when spit-up or saliva remains on the affected area. Sometimes, strong dyes or perfumes on the baby's clothing or blankets may also promote a breakout.
Many times, infants suffer from other skin irritations that are easily confused with baby acne. Other homogenous conditions include milia, eczema, or cradle cap. Milia are most commonly confused with baby acne. Milia are tiny white bumps that appear on a child at birth and which usually reduce quickly, usually two weeks after birth. Eczema and cradle cap usually manifest themselves as
Tip! If you are looking for a healthy way to help keep your acne under control , green tea may be a treatment worth looking into.
red, rash-like breakouts. These conditions make the skin to appear more scaly rather than pimpled.
What should you do if your baby gets baby acne? Usually, no aggressive treatment is necessary as the condition tends to lessen on its own after a few weeks. To soothe your baby, use gentle soap to cleanse your child's face once a day with lukewarm water. The use of lotions and oils are not recommended, as these may only aggravate the condition. Avoid excessive cleansing, scrubbing, or use of moisturizers. Baby acne is never due to dirt or debris; so excessive cleansing will usually not help. Also, strive to wash your baby's blankets and clothing in very mild detergent devoid of harsh perfumes or dyes. You may also want to avoid wearing strong or heavily scented lotions or perfumes around your baby. Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke and other environmental pollutants, as these may only further worsen their condition. Be patient, knowing that the condition will gradually lessen with time.
Tip! If you are looking for a topical treatment to help heal the scarring left behind by your acne, make sure to wait until all of your acne is gone before you start applying it.
If the condition of the baby worsens or acne does not disappear after six months, you better visit your pediatrician with the baby. Your pediatrician may give a mild topical agent to your child to calm your child's skin. In most cases, your pediatrician will try to rule out other potential conditions by taking a medical history of the child's immediate family. In rare cases, baby acne may be indicative of the very early production of sex hormones. The early production of sex hormones may demand continual medical attention as it may signal developmental abnormalities.
|
