5 week old has red bumps (acne?) on face. Is this normal? When will it go away?

Abby - posted on 11/07/2010

It is perfectly normal for babies to have acne at some point. Just don't pick on them and they'll go away.

Camille - posted on 11/07/2010

The only baby acne I've heard of was the little white hard pimples, white heads, but I noticed on hot days if my son was sweating, he'd get a red pimple on his neck, like from sweat or something? It disappeared though within 24 hours, if ur babies' skin continues to break out take her to the doctor but if not, let it run its course & just keep the skin clean and dry.

ASHLEY - posted on 11/07/2010

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's a little rough or that's been washed in strong detergent.

By the way, if your baby had tiny bumps on his face at birth that disappeared within a few weeks, these are called milia and they're 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's 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're concerned about it, talk with your baby's doctor.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-acne_72...

Donna - posted on 11/07/2010

i would say its an hormonal rash... but i cant be for certain as im not sure if ur BF or not?? My son had a hormonal rash and a rash from weet in Weetbix at the same time, poor bug :( But it turned out the bumps were hormonal

Jade - posted on 11/07/2010

just go and ask ya doctor what it is

Mariana - posted on 11/06/2010

No im not on BC right now. But i am taking her on her 2 month checkup soon so we'll see what the doc says. Hopefully it goes away!

Tiffany - posted on 11/06/2010

Are you on the BC pill and breastfeeding? I ask, because my daughter had red bumps, and the doctor said it was acne but I still to this day think it was from my BC pill. My daughter was fine until I started taking it, then maybe 4 days into it she got red bumps everywhere. I stopped taking my BC pill when it didn't clear up, but got worse after a week. Within 3 days of not taking it, it started to go away and was gone by 2 more weeks. It could be heat rash too though, I would just bring her into her pediatrician if you're concerned. Baby acne can last awhile. Heat rash happens when they get too warm. You want to keep her warm, but just make sure you're not overbundling her. My midwife told me a good way to measure is to put on 1 extra layer of clothing then what I would be comfortable wearing. So I always had the baby in a onesie with pj's and a blanket (It was winter then though). Keep an eye on it, but I would just get her in to the pediatrician to calm any fears you have. Good Luck!

Jade - posted on 11/06/2010

Yes its normal it's a hormonal thing that get at that age

Catherine - posted on 11/06/2010

Its normal for babies to have them. its normally cos heated up. let them drink more water n consult doctor for something to apply coz it comes quite often.

Stephanie - posted on 11/06/2010

sounds like heat reash. my son got it when he was younger. and it was winter. i noticed that he gets hot easier than most so i kept cool clothes on him while inside then assed clothing to go outside (naturally so he wouldnt' be cold0. as long as he is comfortable and isn't cold then he should be fine. the rash should go away on its own but if it becomes itchy or anything i would talk to a doctor they may have a cream or know somethin you could use

Christi - posted on 11/06/2010

It could be dry skin with the weather getting colder and all. I would take her to a doctor just in case. I know with my son, he drools alot and his lil cheeks with get super red and bumpy from all the drool.

Kyra - posted on 11/05/2010

My daughter had little red bumps also i took her to the dr and he said I was keeping her to warm. It was a heat rash. I lightened the blankets after he said that and it went away. She is one now and if she gets to hot to this day the bumps return.

Meg - posted on 11/05/2010

it could possibly be baby acne, my son had it really bad (head, face), an started breakin out when he was 3 wks old, an his cleared up by the time he was 2 mos., but it varies with each baby, some can keep it till they are 2 yrs of age. it's normal for some babies to get it. They break out because of high level of hormones they are exposed to at end of pregnancy.

Delta - posted on 11/05/2010

My son had his Dr apt today and the Dr was not concerned or worried about the red bumps on him face.

Kayla - posted on 11/05/2010

yes it could be baby acne maybe even heat rash. This will go away. With baby acne basically is coming from touch from you or daddy. You have oils on your skin not to mention a babys skin is very sensitive :) They have skin protectant for infants called Aquafor, which has vasoline in it. To prevent heat rash just make sure she is not getting too hot, strip her down to maybe a onesie and socks. If its too extreme just a blanket. It to will go down. My daughter had the baby acne for a long time off and on. Both of these are natural with any infant and can easily be treated! Good Luck

Stacy - posted on 11/05/2010

Sometimes it can be caused by allergies that she is developing. My son is 3 yrs old and has the bumps on legs and arms. I thought it was cause of dry skin but that wasn't it. Change of weather can make it happen to I think.

Nikki - posted on 11/05/2010

hi mariana. im a mom of a daughter and a surgical tech at a dermatology clinic is philly, and i see this alot. what your aby has is exactly what you think it is baby acne. you baby is only 5 weeks and all the stuff thats in the air changes a baby's skin, especially if the baby is young. but no worries, it usually goes away between 3 and 6 months, when the body starts to regulate natural skin regeneration. babies at that age also get alot of hemangiomas, little red spots that can sometimes get bigger and starts having a texture of a strawberry of raspberry, they are completely normal too. my advice for the acne is to give her luke warm baths, and try to use unscented products on her skin and clothing, frngrances can irritate it and make it worse. but if it gets worse or you see it bleeding get medical attention.

Corissa - posted on 11/05/2010

My son had the same thing as a baby and come to find out it was a reaction to useing a baby wipe on him to wipe his face. Just a idea to check out

Christina - posted on 11/05/2010

I was doing both with him breast and formula. They do have allergy's too. U will figure get it figured out. If she does spit up a lot and the bumps remain its the milk and try to put her on a lacto free formula.

Mariana - posted on 11/05/2010

I breastfeed. No formula. Just strictly breast milk. Maybe its what i eat? but i barely eat anything now..since im scared she might have an allergy to what im eating! ahhhh, so frustrating.

Christina - posted on 11/05/2010

Yes dreft is good for them. If it doesn't clear up in a couple of weeks change her formula. I waited for that long then make the formula change and it was gone in days! I will put a picture of his on his face so you can compare it to your daughter.

Mariana - posted on 11/05/2010

I use dreft..isn't that supposed to be good for their skin?

Christina - posted on 11/05/2010

Two things could be the cause, one is the laundry detergent you are using is affecting her skin. The other is she maybe lactose intolerant. My sons cleared up with a change of formula, first try the detergent tho.

Roxanne - posted on 11/05/2010

My baby had it, and he had white spots too. I am a nurse, so tried johnsons baby oil:) After a few weeks it went away!!! Try it before going to see a doctor and see;)

Katrina - posted on 11/05/2010

However, if it persists make sure you check it out :)

Katrina - posted on 11/05/2010

at around 6 weeks (plus or minus a week or two) every baby gets a hormonal rash (due to the change in estrogen levels post birth). It is a natural occurrence and nothing to be worried about. Quite often it will cover alot more than just the face (my oldest had it all over her head, face, back AND front)

Lisa - posted on 11/04/2010

My oldest (now almost 10) and my youngest (almost 3 months) both had this problem. My doc said it could be an allergy to my laundry soap or really anything else. He said it's because their skin is so new that it is easily irritated. If you smoke, even if not around your baby, that could be it too. This is what it was for my kids (allergies, not smoke) but if you are really worried about it, or if it seems to be causing pain or discomfort, you should ask your doctor to be sure. Better safe than sorry. Good luck and congrats on the new baby.

Stifler's - posted on 11/04/2010

Yeah my kid had that too. It goes away in a few weeks.

Bonnie - posted on 11/04/2010

Both my boys had bumps/blotches on their faces. It is likely a heat rash and goes away on its own. Try to keep her face as clean as possible even if you just take a damp cloth to her face.

Deidre - posted on 11/04/2010

Heat rash is just from the baby being too warm. all three of my kids have had it at some point. dont worry it will go away just dont bundle you babies up so much keep them warm but not too warn if your unsure you can always tell a babys temp by feeling the back of their neck Good luck ladies

Chrystal - posted on 11/04/2010

That's what happened to my baby girl and she's 4 months old, and took her to the pediatrician for it and she said it was eczema. We were prescribed lotion for it and it really has helped a lot for my poor baby's skin. But if you don't think it's eczema, and you think it's baby acne than yes that is normal. But baby acne usually is just on the cheeks of your baby. So I would definitely get her checked out and have the Dr. tell you what she thinks it probably is. Good luck:)

Liz - posted on 11/03/2010

It could be Seborrheic Dermatitis. Consult her doctor.

Sara - posted on 11/03/2010

my 2 month old son has it too but his face is very dry

Delta - posted on 11/03/2010

My month old baby has this too. He goes to the Dr Friday for his 1 month check.

Mariana - posted on 11/03/2010

If it is a heat rash. how do heat rashes come about? and how can i prevent it?

Madelyn - posted on 11/03/2010

it doest sound like it my son has baby acne but its localized it might be heat rash i would req that u talk with a dr but if it is acne it kinda hangs around comes and goes