Baby Acne - The Whole Truth
It is natural for parents to be alarmed if their baby doesn't have typical soft, smooth skin. It is nothing to cause alarm because it is common in most babies to get various rashes. Baby acne is characterized by a rash of small red bumps or whiteheads developing on the face, but could also appear on the neck and back. If it appears scaly on the face, have your pediatrician take a look to be sure it is not eczema before treating it as baby acne.
Baby acne is commonly the mother's hormones passed to the baby in the placenta during pregnancy, but won't appear until 3 to 4 weeks afterwards. The hormones trigger the baby's oil producing glands, leading to the development of acne. It could also be the result of taking certain medications. The condition of his/her skin can worsen for several days if it comes in contact with milk or saliva. Increased blood flow to the skin, usually caused by crying, will irritate your babies' skin.
Treating baby acne is simple. Using water or a mild baby soap to gently wash their face once a day will help considerably. It is not caused by dirt so don't scrub your babies face because it could cause the irritation to worsen. Cleaning your babies' face with towels that have been washed in harsh detergents may also be a factor in the worsening of acne. Using warm water when washing the face could help to open the pores, which can help to clear the oils and sweat that contribute to acne baby. Greasy lotions and oils could aggravate the skin's sensitive condition. They can also contribute to pore clogging and persisting irritation.
Baby acne can become troublesome in the winter, just as with adult acne. Cold weather is a common factor in the drying out of facial skin, and the increased use of moisturizers. Some moisturizers are greasy and can cause break-outs. Light baby specific lotions will do better moisturizers intended for adult use. Parents tend to over-bundle their baby to prevent discomfort caused by exposure to cold weather. However, over-bundling could cause a heat rash that will worsen baby acne. Be sure to keep your baby comfortable because if he/she is in warm clothes and is in warm indoor environment, it could cause your baby to break out from heat.
Severe acne that lasts beyond the first 6 months or appears severe enough to result in facial scarring, may need to be treated by your pediatrician. Usually a mild medicine will be prescribed. An over-the-counter ionic colloidal silver solution could help to kill the bacteria present in excess oils and put a stop to uncomfortable itching. Other benefits of treating acne with ionic colloidal silver are that it reduces swelling, promotes healthy skin growth, and is hands down the safest treatment available to use on a baby. Rest assured that once your babies' acne clears up, it wont be making an appearance again until your child reaches its teenage years.
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