Baby acne is a common skin condition that occurs at different ages in babies. Newborn acne, also called neonatal acne, occurs in the first six weeks of the baby after birth. It appears to be like pimples or a small red bump which is not so harmful. These acne are commonly found on their cheeks, nose, and forehead.
The acne may be caused due to the hormonal transfer from mother to the foetus through placenta during the developing stages. These hormones may be present in the bloodstream of the baby causing acne. Some babies have acne after birth within 6 weeks and that may be caused due to the milk or the formula milk given to the babies. Some babies’ skin is so delicate that it may cause acne when they come in contact with any sensitive things. Even the fabrics of the cloth the baby wore can cause irritation in the baby’s body leading to acne.
What are insect bites in babies ?
The insect bites are caused by mosquitoes, flies, fleas, spiders, ticks, wasps, bees and beetles. This bite looks like a small bump that may appear immediately after the insect bite and has an itching tendency. Some of the insect bites might cause some allergic reactions in babies.
The insect bite may go unnoticed in a day or two but it creates a nuisance, when they appear. When a mosquito or an insect bites a baby, that particular area swells in size as a process of histamine release in the body which helps to heal the bite faster. The inflamed area might look reddish or pink in colour and cause pain when the baby gets stung. Insect bites may cause discomfort or excessive scratching in a baby and it can be found anywhere in the baby’s body.
Different condition of Acne
Similar condition of acne in babies include,
- Eczema: It is an inflammatory skin condition where the skin barrier function is damaged and exposing the skin to infection and irritations. Even pollutant air triggers this condition causing rashes and swelling in the baby.
- Food Allergy: Most common allergic reactions in babies are through foods they eat and milk fed. If a baby is allergic to some food, and when that food is given by mistake , the baby’s body reacts to it thinking it as foreign substance and fights against it. This leads to the cause of allergic reactions like skin rash, swelling of lips, and stomach pain.
- Milia: Milia is a kind of cyst that forms on the baby’s body due to the trapped dead skins under the skin layer. It is also called milk bumps or milk cysts. It is a kind of acne with whiteheads. Most of these conditions disappear in the course of time without any treatment.
- Dermatitis: It is also a type of skin condition that causes redness and swelling of the skin. The skin looks dry, itchy and bumps and blisters appear in the skin when some allergic things come in contact with the baby.
- Erythema Toxicum : This appears in the first few weeks of the babies. It is a tiny bump or discoloured blotches that occurs on the baby’s face, arms and legs. It goes on its own as the baby is growing to resist these skin conditions.
How to Treat Insect Bites on Babies
When an insect bites or stings a baby, it causes pain. The pain is severe when the insects happen to be a wasp, bee or fire ants. Parents must look for the cause of pain and act according to it.
- In general, always clean the area of insect bites with soap and warm water. Applying a cold compress cloth can reduce the swelling.
- If the itching continues, we can use antihistamine medicine prescribed by the doctors. We can also use steroid creams applied on the affected area but must be cautious to close the area applied in cream as babies may touch the cream and place it in their mouth. We can also use baby-safe anti-itch creams after consulting a doctor.
When to See a Paediatrician
Baby acne or insect bites do not cause any trouble and it gets cured in a few days. But some babies may have an allergic reaction to an insect bite or severity in acne . They may have symptoms like
- Pain in the insect bitten area for a long time and swelling getting worse in 24 hours.
- New redness found around the bite area. This may indicate a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite.
- If the allergic reaction is getting worse, doctors suggest an oral steroid drug such as prednisolone, or an adrenaline autoinjector (e.g. an EpiPen) to subside the impact.
- When you worry of baby acne and not sure of its healness , it is good to Consult the doctor.
Preventing insect bites and stings
- Always keep the living area clean without any water stagnating to avoid mosquito breeding.
- While playing outside always keep a watch, where the kids go or touch anything that may be allergic to them.
- Dress them with long sleeves and pants to prevent them from any bite.
- Use a mosquito net while the baby’s are sleeping
- A note to the parents : A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis which makes the baby difficult in breathing and swallowing. This usually occurs due to a bee or wasp or yellow jacket stings. The symptoms are shown within the 2 hours of the sting and it is highly advisable to see a doctor soon.
Preventing baby acne
Some of the baby acne that is caused due to the hormonal transfer from the mother cannot be prevented. Some of the steps to prevent them from getting worse is listed below
- Check for any allergic reaction when using baby skin care products. Stop using it when you see any rash condition on the baby.
- It is important to know that some babies are very sensitive to fragrances. Always use mild and chemical free products for babies.
If baby acne is accompanied by additional symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor, as changes in the skin’s condition may indicate an infection or a hormonal imbalance.
As babies are growing in a different world from where they were born, getting used to these surroundings might be a challenging phase for them. As a parent we can always guide them and pay extra attention to the foods they eat, fabrics they wear and things they play with. Providing them a clean environment will help them to grow without getting infected by the germs around them.