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Baby Acne Thought To Be A Common Result Of Hormonal Changes

About 20-percent of all infants suffer brief outbreaks of acne, typically showing up about two weeks after birth. The acne typically disappears after a few weeks but some may last up to three months.

There are numerous theories about the cause of baby acne but the current predominantly accepted cause is the beginning of hormone production and the activation of the sebaceous glands. There is also indication that lingering hormones in the mother may also be the cause, but in most instances the outbreak are usually minor and seldom last longer than 12 weeks.

Other theories for the cause of baby acne include the diet of the mother during pregnancy or while nursing. While it has been shown that diet can be a trigger for acne outbreaks, for the most part adults are more prone to acne based on stress, genetic and the accumulation of dead skin cells. The cause of acne in adolescents and adults is well documented to be unlikely related to certain foods, which puts a damper on this theory as the cause of baby acne.

Typically, baby acne will appear on the cheeks and often include pimples on the chin and neck. For the most part keeping the infant's skin clean is the most important thing a new parent can do to help clean up the baby acne from their child's face.

Avoid Harsh Treatment Of The Baby's Skin

When a newborn suffers from baby acne the parent should never use over the counter acne medication and in most cases the acne will disappear on its own. The parent should also avoid the use of heavy oils and creams on the baby as they can exacerbate the problem actually causing the baby acne to become worse and slow the process.

If the outbreak of baby acne lasts longer than three months, the parents may want to consult with their pediatrician to determine if the pimples are actually caused nu baby acne or are the result of something else. Cradle cap and eczema can sometimes take on the appearance of acne and is often confused by new parents.

Skin affected by baby acne can also become irritated by regurgitated milk and other foods that remain on the baby's skin as well as rough clothing that irritates the affected area. Low-dose antibiotics may be prescribed in certain cases, but rarely should the parents be more concerned about the appearance of a few pimples on the newborn's face than they are about the overall health of the infant.