While it is theoretically believed that a child's skin should be as smooth as velvet, in practice this is not always the case. Various spots and irregularities may appear on it. Not uncommon - and pimples on the face of a newborn with white heads. What could be causing them, and is it possible to fix it?
Acne in babies
Causes of acne
White pimples on the face and body of an infant rarely require specialized treatment. They are usually short-lived and completely harmless. The main reasons for their occurrence:
- If white pimples in a newborn are similar to acne, reddish with white heads (acne), then they may be caused by maternal hormones that affect the baby for some time after birth. They can also occur as a result of contact with the genital tract that occurred during childbirth.
Important! It has been proven that acne in babies can be caused by contact with a new environment: clothes, bedding, baby cosmetics, diapers, which affect the delicate skin of the baby.
- Another type of acne is milia, or millet, small, dense white papules. The reason for their appearance is the insufficient functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands of the child;
Miliums on a baby's face
- Lipophilic yeast (Malassezia) lives on human skin. This yeast-like fungus can colonize the epidermis in the first months of life. If there is a predisposition to atopic dermatitis, it can cause an allergic reaction in an infant and skin rashes.
Rash on the face
Both acne and mildew may appear on the baby's scalp. Acne is usually not itchy or fluid. Places of appearance of hormonal acne - cheeks, nose, forehead, chin, sometimes the ear and the part of the head covered with hair. They do not exist on the arm or leg.
If a newborn has white pimples on the skin of the eyelids, their causes may be:
- poor functioning of the sebaceous glands;
- contact with irritants (prolonged exposure to sunlight can also irritate the baby's skin);
- lack of calcium at the time of teething.
Sometimes white pimples in a newborn appear on the tongue and gums. Their reasons may be:
- stomatitis due to infection in the baby's mouth, while red pimples may be observed near the throat;
- thrush (characterized rather not by pimples, but by a white bloom);
- acne on the palate sometimes indicates dysbiosis.
Rashes on other parts of the body
In the presence of white pimples on the genitals of a child (testicles in boys or labia in girls), possible causes are imperfect functioning of the sebaceous glands, diaper dermatitis, infections.
Pimples can also mean skin allergies, most often contact, for example, to detergents with which clothes were washed. Sometimes pimples appear on the legs along the edges of the diaper, closer to the groin. In this case, there will be reddening of the skin, and the pustules will be pink, no tips, filled with liquid. Their appearance is accompanied by itching, which is a contact allergy to the diaper material.
Parents' actions when pimples appear
Important! If your baby has acne, you need to make sure the baby is not overheating. This is imperative to keep the skin in good condition. When the baby is too warm, the skin changes intensify.
The ambient temperature should be maintained at 20-22ºC. The skin on the back of your baby's head should be warm and dry. The bath must be taken at a temperature not exceeding 37ºC.
What can you do
If the baby has white-headed pimples on the face or body, you can:
- When bathing, use potassium permanganate in low concentration;
- Take care of your baby's face daily by wiping it with a cotton pad moistened with boiled water;
Washing a newborn
- A decoction of a series has a good effect on the skin. It is added to the baby's bathtub or, during hygiene procedures, is treated with a cotton swab dipped in herbal decoction, areas of redness and pimples.
What should be alarming
White acne in a newborn usually does not require a visit to the doctor. However, you should contact your pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist if:
- The child has purulent eruptions. The doctor may start treating them with antibiotic ointment. Its use is necessary because of the risk of generalization of the infection;
- Despite proper hygienic care, acne does not go away, but even increases;
Overgrowth of the rash
- Acne lesions appear in unusual places: they are not observed on the face, but only under the armpit, in the folds of the arms, groin, and on the neck.
Important! Your doctor may recommend a zinc suspension (Zindol), which has an anti-inflammatory and slightly drying effect, in order to smear it with pimples.
With the formation of purulent acne and their spread, if measures are not taken in time, the following complications may occur:
- streptoderma - a bacterial infection, especially often in the diaper area and skin folds;
- furunculosis.
What is forbidden to do
Miliums in a newborn appear as a result of clogged skin pores. These are stagnant epidermal cysts resulting from the accumulation of sebaceous masses. Such formations do not heal, do not lubricate, it is strictly forbidden to squeeze them, because this can lead to infection and abscess. After a few days or weeks, milia will go away on their own.
Cannot be used to treat pimples:
- a strong solution of potassium permanganate;
- brilliant green;
- products containing alcohol;
- Fukortsin;
- fatty and hormonal ointments.
It is also not recommended to sprinkle baby powder directly on the child's pimples.
Important! You can not independently prescribe a baby to take antihistamines, antibiotics, sorbents.
Emollients used to wash your baby (baby emulsions, gels and bath fluids) can be used for baby hygiene. They do not dry the skin, do not violate its delicate protective barrier, even strengthen it and accelerate healing.
Preventive measures
As a preventive measure against the appearance or spread of acne in babies, it is necessary:
- Perform hygiene procedures in a timely manner;
- Periodically arrange air baths for the baby;
- To wash baby's clothes and bedding, buy only special detergents;
- Nursing mothers should not abuse fatty, fried, salty foods, sweets;
- If symptoms of a negative reaction to milk formula appear, replace it.
Healthy toddler
Although pimples in babies are very troubling for young mothers, most of the time it is not a cause for alarm. In most cases, they disappear after a few weeks. When acne persists for too long, see your doctor.
