My 5 week old has severe baby acne. What do I do??

Question

My 5 week old has severe baby acne. It is around his ears and eyes and even on his chest and the back of his neck. I try to wipe him down a few times a day with water but it doesn't seem to do anything. My doctor suggested using dreft on everything but I am worried it is something else. Please help

Answer 1

My daughter had this on her face and it cleared up in about 2 weeks. I stopped using baby wipes and regular baby soap on her and only used baby washcloths with water and a little super-sensitive shampoo and body wash by California Baby. I used Dreft too, but agree with you - that wasn't the problem. Here is the link for the California baby line. If you can't find it - try any baby bath product which is hypo-allergenic for sensitive skin. And don't worry yourself - it will clear up... :-)

Answer 2

Severe Baby Acne

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

My son has this. They say to use plain warm water on the face as even baby soap will dry out baby's skin. Here's what I do and it seems to be working. Only once a week I give him a bath with baby soap....I use johnson&Johnson baby lotion on his body and head. For the acne I gently wipe his face with a warm wash cloth and just a tiny bit of baby soap. His face is getting much better. Don't worry though the acne and dry skin will all clear up eventually

Answer 5

It is a good thing you have gone to a doctor first before searching Yahoo answers for medical advice, but I digress, here is my answer!
Assuming your baby has genuine acne (Acne Vulgaris) you should definitely do as your doctor says
as well as let your child get some sunlight. A recent study shows that ultraviolet lights of a blue, red, or purple hue are very effective germicides that kill the bacterial infections that can cause this condition. Sunlight is free and powerful ultraviolet light perfect for a new parent seeking a little help curing baby acne.
Be careful not to sunburn your baby though!!!
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Baby acne, also known as acne neonatorum, is a condition that affects roughly 20% of newborn babies. Infants usually develop neonatal acne because of stimulation of the baby's sebaceous glands by lingering maternal hormones after delivery. These hormones cross the placenta into your baby and after delivery they cause the oil glands on the skin to form bumps that look like pimples.[1] Baby acne usually clears up within a few weeks, but it can linger for months.

Tiny bumps on a baby's face after birth that disappear within a few weeks are called milia and are unrelated to baby acne.

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Above is taken directly from Wikipedia
for more information on the ultraviolet light treatment check out the Wikipedia entry for Acne Vulgaris.
Be weary though as some of the acne pictures are not pretty!

Answer 6

My 3rd baby had really severe baby acne. It just kind of showed up one day and looked horrible it seemed like it took forever to go away, but in reality it was just a few weeks or so. Try using very mild detergents on his clothing, bedding etc and using mild baby soaps. Aveeno lotions are very mild and good for babys skin.
My son ended up having asthma and some food allergys so just keep an eye on that as your baby gets older.
I am sure your baby is absolutely fine, remember lots of babies get this, it is just part of being a baby sometimes!!

Answer 7

If its true baby acne there's nothing you can do but wait for it to clear up. Baby acne is caused by leftover hormones from the mom so you just have to wait until the work themselves out. A rash caused by irritation or allergy may be helped by trying a different type of laundry detergent, not wearing perfume, changing your body soap.

Answer 8

My daughter is almost 3 months old now, and she's had the baby acne since she was born. The doctor thought it strange, (she has a new doctor, just got him last week), and he said to rub in some neosporin. I tried it, and after 1 day, it cleared up dramatically. I was worried about her getting it into her eyes, but he said as long as you rub it in well, and only use the smallest amount.

Answer 9

My daughter came out covered in spots that looked like pimples. I was told it was just milk rash caused by hormones. It didn't need any treatment, it just went away by itself.

Answer 10

Do not worry
My baby (now 3 mo.) had it....
And my doctor told me to leave it alone, thats what I did.
It went away byitself.