Blackheads and purulent pimples in a baby - is it baby acne? Learn about the causes, treatment and proper care for your baby's skin
Does your child have tiny spots on their cheeks, chin or forehead? Purulent pimples and blackheads in infants are the most common symptoms of infant acne. Appropriate treatment and care will help alleviate troublesome symptoms and support healthy baby skin.
That is why in this article we will explain what baby acne looks like, why it occurs, and we will suggest what to use for baby acne to make your baby's skin healthy and radiant again, free of blackheads and pimples.
What does baby acne look like??
NEONATAL ACNE
It appears in the first month of life and affects even 20% of newbornsIt usually has a mild course, presenting mainly with blackheads and small, purulent with pimples on the face. Neonatal acne usually does not require specialist treatment and goes away on its own.
BABY ACNE
It occurs less frequently, usually between 3 and 6 months of age and may have a more complex course. Skin eruptions are spots with white or yellow fluid, but in some, more advanced cases, baby acne also takes the form of larger, purulent pimples in an infant, nodules and even subcutaneous cysts.
Term "pimple on baby” is a colloquial term, but popular and often used by parents. In dermatological diagnostics, in the course of infant acne, we distinguish skin changes such as: pimples, blackheads and lumps. However, to make it easier for parents to understand the issue of baby acne, for the purposes of this article we will use the colloquial but well-known term "pimple".
BABY ACNE - typical location of skin lesions:
Skin lesions in the course of infant acne occur mainly on the face, especially the cheeks and chin, but they can also appear on the neck and chest. They most often appear as:
- blackheads in a baby (open and closed),
- pimples with purulent content, so-called purulent pimples in an infant,
- less frequently: subcutaneous nodules and cysts.
Expert advises
Baby acne is less common than neonatal acne, which is why it is often misdiagnosed and confused with other skin problems, such as: allergies, heat rash or seborrheic dermatitis.
Causes of baby acne — why does a baby have blackheads and pimples?
You already know, what does baby acne look like, but you're probably still wondering why blackheads and purulent acne pimples occur in newborns and infants, i.e. in such small children?
Although the causes of baby acne are not fully understood, there are currently several factors that predispose infants to develop this type of skin lesions.
- Hormonal disorders – increased levels of androgens (including maternal hormones, which the infant receives in breast milk, and hormones produced by the child’s adrenal glands) stimulate the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum.
- Bacterial colonization Propionibacterium acnes – this is a bacterium that naturally occurs on the skin, but in infants it can overgrow, leading to inflammation of the hair follicles and the formation of blackheads and purulent pimples in an infant.
- Immaturity of infant skin - is one of the possible causes of baby acne. Babies' skin physiologically produces more sebum, which contributes to the clogging of pores and the formation of so-called pimples.
- Inadequate care – the use of cosmetics containing mineral oils, such as paraffin or petroleum jelly, may intensify skin lesions and be one of the causes of baby acne, exacerbating its symptoms.
Baby acne statistics It is more common in boys. This may be due to higher levels of androgens, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum.
Can baby acne occur? all over the body, or just on the face?
Baby acne does not occur all over the body child — skin lesions are mainly located on the face, but they can also appear on the neck or chest.
Expert advises
If the skin lesions identified by parents as baby acne are severe and cause concern, you should always consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin diseases. Consultation with a doctor and differential diagnosis is especially important if the skin lesions occur abundantly all over the baby's body. Baby acne is often wrongly identified as a so-called protein diathesis due to the same location of skin lesions on the child's face. Usually, baby acne on a child's face is not a disease that requires treatment - most often, appropriately selected care treatments (home care) are enough. In most cases, baby acne It goes away on its own and leaves no scars.
How to care for your child's skin with baby acne - what to do for baby acne?
Proper skin care for infants is key to alleviating skin conditions. Co use for baby acne?
- Gentle skin cleansing: Use lukewarm water and gentle dermocosmetics with a neutral pH, intended for babies.
- Avoiding cosmetics containing mineral oils: (paraffin, petroleum jelly) and highly moisturizing balms and oils.
It is recommended that use delicate, moisturizing, hypoallergenic cosmetics, adapted to the age of the child.
Recommended products
Pharmacologist, Chief expert in the field of opinions on cosmetics, medical devices, washing and rinsing agents and biocides, Institute of Mother and Child
- Using a bath with added starch, may have a soothing effect.
- Preparations containing zinc oxide – applied topically, they help dry and soothe skin lesions.
- Avoid overheating your baby: because it can worsen acne breakouts. Make sure the room temperature is right (19-22 ° C during the heating season) and air your baby's room regularly.
- Do not squeeze skin lesions, so as not to worsen your child’s skin problems or cause permanent scarring.
You already know what to use for baby acne, but if the lesions are severe and do not go away, you may need pharmacological treatmentIf you have any doubts about what to use for baby acne, it is worth consulting a pediatrician or dermatologist.
Baby acne in infants - summary
Baby acne does not occur all over the body baby — the location of skin lesions includes primarily the face, sometimes also the neck and chest.
Although tbaby rash it is a troublesome and unsightly skin disease, proper care, gentle cleansing of the skin and avoiding irritating cosmetics can help to soothe and eventually completely eliminate skin lesions. In most cases, the baby's skin regains a healthy appearance, and baby acne leaves no traces.
If you have any doubts what to do for baby acne, blackheads i purulent pimples in an infant are severe, consult with doctor, who will professionally diagnose the child’s problem and help choose the best method of treatment and skin care.
Bibliography:
- Brzeziński, P. (2009). Dermatology of neonatal period–skin diseases undemanding of treatment. Medical review, 66(9), 535-537.
- Filo-Rogulska M., Wcisło-Dziadecka D. & Brzezińska-Wcisło L., (2018). Neonatal and infantile acne–ethiopathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment possibilities. Post N Med XXXI(1A): 45-48. Accessed on 06.02.2025: http://www.pnmedycznych.pl/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pnm_2018_01A_045-048.pdf.
- How to Treat Infant Acne? | Practical Dermatology – a journal for practicing physicians. Practical Dermatology. Accessed on 06.02.2025: https://www.dermatologia-praktyczna.pl/a3762/Jak-leczyc-tradzik-niemowlecy-.html
- Jain A. K. & Morgaonkar M., (2015). Acne in childhood: Clinical presentation, evaluation and treatment.Indian Journal of Pediatric Dermatology, 16(1), 1.
- Kaszuba A. Kuchciak-Brancewicz M. Atopic dermatitis and urticaria, [in:] Kaszuba A., Kuchciak-Brancewicz M.: Illustrated pediatric dermatology. Basic clinical problems in questions and answers. Czelej Publishing House, Lublin 2013: 117-118.
- Schnopp C., Mempel M. (2012). Acne vulgaris in children and adolescents. Dermatologia po Dyplomie, 3(2):49-61. Accessed on 06.02.2025: https://podyplomie.pl/publish/system/articles/pdfarticles/000/014/575/original/49-61.pdf?1481198453
Medical consultation
