How to Treat Baby Acne Naturally
How to Treat Baby Acne Naturally
Pimples and blackheads can be distressing enough as a teen or an adult, but what about your perfect little baby? Babies can suffer from acne as well. If you suspect that your baby has acne, here are some facts that will help.
What is acne? It is a condition of the skin. Pores become clogged and form white pustules filled with what the body is trying to excrete. Some people are more prone to acne than others. In teen years, a mix of hormones and trapped oils can seem like the beginning of the end when those bumps start to appear.
But, we are talking about a different kind of acne here. Some babies can be born with acne. It looks the same as acne that you might have – red spots and pimples on the nose, cheeks and forehead.
It can be distressing to see your child’s face covered in red painful-looking bumps, but baby acne is not the same as we stated above. While in the womb, pores can get clogged. Once baby is born the results show up as pimples. It has also been suspected that elevated hormone levels before birth contribute to the appearance of acne in some newborns.
Now, don’t get acne confused with milia. This is another condition of the womb where dead skin is trapped on baby’s skin and doesn’t get sloughed off. A white bump forms over it that you can see when baby is born. When the surface of the bump opens, the dead skin is released and the area goes back to what is to be its normal appearance.
Baby acne is not painful. It may appear that way, but baby is not bothered by it in the least. They haven’t learned to recognize their face so they don’t even know it’s there. If you can handle the appearance, there are treatment options for baby.
How to Treat Baby Acne Naturally
One traditional acne treatment that isn’t an option is medicated creams. A baby’s skin is sensitive and using such harsh creams on them can cause irritation that wasn’t there before.
Wash baby’s skin with warm water and a soft washcloth. You can use a tiny bit of a natural soap if you like. Dr. Bronner’s baby soap would be a good choice, making sure to dilute the soap well with water first . Don’t scrub because of the acne. The bumps are not caused by a dirty face so scrubbing will only damage the skin.
Some moms have reported that putting a little breastmilk on baby’s face helps clear up the acne. Some find that a tiny dab of coconut oil rubbed gently into the skin can help as well. This is perfectly safe for the baby’s skin and makes a wonderful all over moisturizer after baby’s bath.
Just be patient, the acne will rectify itself in about three weeks. Some babies are affected for a few months but that is also a normal time frame. Consult a doctor if the condition worsens or seems to irritate baby. They can suggest another course of treatment based on what they find.
Another cause of skin irritation for young babies is strong perfumes and harsh detergents. Anything that rubs against your baby’s skin, just as Grandma’s perfume soaked clothing or detergent that didn’t rinse out of baby’s blanket, can cause an acne-like breakout. Be sure to use the gentlest, most natural products you can find for baby’s laundry. Ask people who visit your baby and hold her to refrain from wearing perfume, on “Doctor’s orders”. It really is quite irritating and bad for baby’s skin, not to mention toxic to breathe in.
Tags: life with baby
