Our Simple Guide to Neonatal Acne

Becoming a new parent is one of the most surreal experiences in life; getting to know your baby is an exciting yet overwhelming experience. Neonatal acne, more commonly known as “baby acne,” for example, is a skin condition in newborns that can be alarming to parents on the surface. 

But there’s good news – as the Cleveland Clinic reports, neonatal acne happens to more than one in five healthy babies after birth, and it comes without complications.

Are you curious to learn more about what causes neonatal acne and how to treat your baby’s skin? Read on to learn about neonatal acne ICD 10.

Neonatal Acne Causes

In terms of the causation of acne in newborn babies, the lines are blurred. There are no clear causes of this skin condition, but researchers believe that hormonal changes in the mother are likely to blame. 

There’s also the potential that it’s a yeast-to-skin reaction during the birthing process.

Can Breastfeeding Cause Neonatal Acne?

Yes, it is possible the hormones of the mother’s breastmilk can trigger hormonal changes in the baby’s body, which can lead to baby acne. However, this is just temporary and will get better with time, even without any treatment. 

Just make sure to keep your baby’s skin clean with a hypoallergenic cleanser. However, It should not affect the way you feed your baby. You should continue breastfeeding normally. 

Neonatal Acne Symptoms

In most cases, neonatal acne appears on the surface of the skin just as teenage or adult acne does. It consists of red bumps and whiteheads on the forehead, chin, cheeks, upper back, and upper chest. 

Some common symptoms that you may notice are:

• Small red bumps
• White or yellow pus-filled bumps
• Whiteheads 
• Papules and pustules

Some babies with neonatal acne might also experience redness and bumps along the neck. The redness around the breakouts can appear as purple or dark brown in babies with darker skin tones. 

Another thing that can help you identify baby acne is that it does not cause blackheads. 

How Long Does Neonatal Acne Last?

Generally, your baby’s skin will begin to improve over the course of two months and should clear up by the third month. If you notice that it’s persistent beyond 3 months of age, you need to reach out to a doctor for a second opinion and potential treatment options.

There are other conditions that might look similar to neonatal acne, such as infantile acne, eczema, and benign cephalic pustulosis (BCP). This is also the right approach if you notice skin blisters, peeling skin, or behavioral differences in your baby, like unwillingness to eat.

Neonatal Acne Treatment

Generally, you don’t have to treat baby acne. It should clear up on its own.

If your baby needs treatment, a doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream or medicated shampoo to combat the development of acne and redness in the skin.

Continue washing your baby’s face with soap and water, and the bumps should disappear over time. Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo makes an efficient choice for soothing the acne symptoms on the head skin. 

Formulated for sensitive skin, our shampoo is a mild and gentle solution that can soothe symptoms commonly associated with neonatal acne. Medicated shampoo often contains pyrithione zinc, an ingredient with antifungal properties. Yeast and fungus are synonyms. Reducing one of the culprits of baby acne could be beneficial for getting rid of bumps and redness.

How to Prevent Neonatal Acne?

Neonatal acne is caused by factors inside your baby’s body so it is difficult to prevent it. However, here are a few things that you can do to prevent it from getting worse.

• Wash your baby’s skin with a mild baby cleanser with lukewarm or cool water once daily.
• Clean the baby’s face after feeding and eating to remove any residue left behind on the skin.
• Avoid using oily or adult acne products on baby’s sensitive skin.
• Do not squeeze the pimples. 
• Never use any natural remedies like essential oil, apple cider vinegar, or baby oil on the breakouts.

Conclusion

Neonatal acne is a common skin condition that babies experience in the first few weeks of their life. It is believed to be caused by hormonal changes in the baby’s body and the Malassezia yeast. 

It looks quite similar to adult acne and causes small, red, pus-filled bumps. In most cases, baby acne gets better on its own within a few weeks or months. However, if it persists longer, consult a pediatrician for accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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