About 20% of Australian babies are affected by newborn acne before they’re 2 months old. Also known as infantile acne, milk spots or erythema toxicum, these small red or white pimples on their cheeks, chin, forehead and back don’t look that cute (especially when their brand new skin was so perfect only days before), but it is absolutely nothing to worry about, and is very short lived.
“Newborns undergo wild hormone fluctuations in the last few weeks of pregnancy and in the months following birth,” explains Dr Golly, Melbourne-based paediatrician and father of three. “Just like adolescents frequently experience acne due to hormone changes, babies can experience a similar change. Erythema toxicum can be alarming for new parents, but it’s very common and most of the time, no cause for concern.”
Baby acne does not bother your baby in any way. “It’s not painful, itchy or scarring,” says Dr Golly, “It doesn’t require any treatment, and ointments or baby oils may worsen the condition.” It is also important that you not try to “pop” any of the bumps.
Interestingly, it rarely occurs in premature babies and does not happen on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.
When to seek help “If the rash is accompanied by fever, lethargy, blisters, oozing sores, or if it bleeds or lasts longer than two weeks, contact your healthcare provider, as it is likely not ‘baby acne’ if this is the case,” says Dr Golly. For more reassurance Your Baby Doesn’t Come With a Book outlines the most common skin conditions new babies are likely to develop, with images included to help you distinguish one from the next.
