Posted on August 20, 2007 in Acne And Age
It is common that most babies get acne, which can be generally a rash of small red bumps or whiteheads on the face. But sometimes they may also develop on the neck and back. But if the acne appears scaly on your baby’s face, let your pediatrician make sure that it is not eczema before starting treatment considering them as baby acne.
Causes of baby acne
It is commonly by the mother’s hormones that pass to the baby in the placenta during pregnancy. But, they generally make their appearance only after 3 to 4 weeks. The hormones trigger oil-producing glands in the baby, which leads to acne formation. It may also be due to taking certain medications. The condition of your baby’s skin can worsen for few days if the skin comes in contact with milk or saliva. And, increased blood flow to the skin, which is generally caused by crying also irritates your babies’ skin.
How to avoid and cure baby acne?
- Use water or a mild baby soap to gently wash your baby’s face once in a day.
- Acne is not caused by dirt. So do not scrub your baby’s face. If you do it causes the irritation to worsen.
- Don’t clean your baby’s face with towels that are washed in harsh detergents. It may worsen acne.
- Use warm water to wash the face. It helps to open the pores and clears the oils and sweat that can contribute to acne formation.
- Never use greasy lotions and oils. They can aggravate skin’s sensitive condition, and also contribute to clogging of pores and persisting irritation.
- Stop over-bundling your baby because it could cause a heat rash that worsens baby acne. If the acne last beyond the first 6 months or cause facial scarring, then get your baby treated by your pediatrician.
- An over-the-counter ionic colloidal silver solution helps killing the bacteria in excess oils. It also stops uncomfortable itching, reduces swelling and promotes healthy skin growth.
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