Baby sleeping
A baby is a very precious gift to both its mother and its family. It is quite natural for everyone to pamper it with as much love and affection as possible. Despite being so careful in treating the baby, it is quite normal for mothers to notice that their baby breaks out into tiny red pimples, usually between the age of four weeks and six months. This condition is called baby acne, and is nothing to be so worried about.
Baby acne usually shows on the cheeks, forehead, chin and in some cases, even on the back. The specialty of baby acne is that it may appear strongly at times on the baby’s body, and sometimes, just disappear. It first appears as a reddish rash, with some pimples. Occasionally, you may also find some whiteheads.
Rough clothes can trigger baby acne
You find that these pimples are more pronounced when the baby is upset and overheated. It is also more pronounced when the baby’s skin is irritated by saliva and spit-up milk. Even fabric that is a little rough or clothes that have been washed in strong detergents tend to trigger baby acne.
It is not necessary for all babies to suffer from baby acne; however most of them do. Baby acne is more dominant on the baby’s cheeks, and other areas of the face.
Baby acne is said to be related to the mother’s hormone levels when giving birth. It is during childbirth, and some time before it that the mother’s hormones pass through the placenta to the baby.
Hormones stimulate oil production
This passing of the mother’s hormones to the baby’s placenta is a very important phase of childbirth as it stimulates important, last minute development in the baby’s body. This development includes increasing of lung size to make the baby ready to breathe air.
In addition to this development, hormones are also effective in stimulating oil production in the baby’s skin. And it is this increased oil levels in the baby’s skin that leads to baby acne.
Baby acne is nothing a mother should fret about. It is not only harmless, but usually takes care of itself over time. It is recommended that the mother wash the baby’s face with water everyday. Using a mild baby soap helps in clearing things up too.
Don’t apply any creams or oils
When your baby suffers from baby acne, it is not advised to put any creams or oils on the baby’s skin. This only worsens the condition. Moreover, never use any over the counter acne medicines on the skin, or scrub the baby’s skin. Remember, baby acne is not a result of dirt; extra washing of your baby’s skin only leads to irritation of the baby’s skin.
It is when the baby acne becomes severe, and lasts for more than six months that it is time for you to consult a pediatrician. The pediatrician will assess the severity of the baby acne, and correspondingly, either prescribe some gentle medication that will help in healing the condition, or tell you to let the acne run its own course. Remember that as the baby acne does not bother the baby, there is no need of it bothering you too!
