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Baby acne…

Baby acne is very common. It can be present at birth, but more often it shows up after a couple of weeks, usually on the cheeks and sometimes on the forehead, chin, and even the back.

These small whiteheads might be surrounded by reddish skin. They can become more pronounced when your baby is hot or fussy or if his skin is irritated by saliva, spit-up milk, or fabric that is a little rough or that has been washed in strong detergent.

If your baby had tiny bumps on his face at birth that disappeared within a few weeks, these are called milia and they are unrelated to acne. If the irritation looks more rashy or scaly than pimply or it appears elsewhere on his body, your baby may have another condition, such as cradle cap or eczema.

What could be causing my baby’s acne?
As with adolescent acne, there is no clear answer. For some time, experts have pointed to the hormones babies receive from their mother at the end of pregnancy as a cause of baby acne. But researchers continue to study other factors and have yet to agree on one culprit. If you take certain medications while nursing, for example, or if your baby takes certain medications, they might trigger baby acne.

How long will it last?
Baby acne usually clears up within a few weeks, but it can linger for months. If it doesn’t clear up within three months or you are concerned about it, talk with your baby’s doctor. Copyright© Baby Center LLC