How to Get Rid of Baby Acne and Eczema at Home
As a new parent, you may notice changes in your baby's skin as they adjust to life outside the womb. The transition from a liquid environment to our dry world exposes their delicate skin to many new elements. This can lead to several common skin conditions, including baby acne and eczema. While these might look concerning, they’re usually harmless and resolve on their own. Dr. Rebecca Krewer, MD, UnityPoint Health, explains how to recognize and treat baby acne and eczema to help you feel more confident and prepared to care for your baby's skin.
What Causes Baby Acne?
“Baby acne is thought to be caused by a combination of hormones from mom and baby, as well as your baby's first contact with normal yeast that forms as part of our skin's microbiome — tiny microorganisms that play a vital role in your skin’s health,” Dr. Krewer says.
What Does Baby Acne Look Like?
Baby acne looks like blackheads, whiteheads or pimples on your infant’s forehead, cheeks or chin. It affects about 20% of newborns and can be present at birth or appear two to three weeks after. Typically, baby acne lasts a few weeks.
Baby Acne Treatment
The best approach to treat baby acne is gentle care and patience.
“Use unscented, gentle cleansers on your baby's skin once or twice daily,” Dr. Krewer says. “If your baby’s acne becomes large or deep, talk to their doctor. Severe or prolonged cases should be treated with topical antibiotics or antifungals to prevent long-term scarring.”
In moses cases, however, it’s unnecessary to try and get rid of baby acne as it resolves on its own with time.
Can Kisses Cause Baby Acne?
Contrary to popular belief, kissing a baby's skin doesn’t cause or worsen baby acne.
“If you do kiss a baby who’s sick, or if you’re sick, that’s an easy way to spread illnesses,” Dr. Krewer says.
What Causes Eczema in Babies?
While not directly related to baby acne, eczema is another common skin condition in infants. Eczema in babies looks like dry, rough and sometimes red skin patches that may be itchy.
Baby eczema is caused by a variety of factors, such as:
- Allergies (food or environmental)
- Environmental factors (frequent hand washing, hot water, hard water)
- Immune system differences (atopic conditions like eczema, allergies and asthma can run in families)
- Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
- Irritants (harsh soaps, chlorine, perfume, dust, coarse fibers such as wool)
- Skin barrier problems (environmental and genetic)
- Skin microbiome
- Weather conditions (cold and dry weather or hot and wet weather)
“About 20% of babies develop eczema, though they don’t all still have it as they get older. Not all babies with eczema are affected by all these factors either,” Dr. Krewer says.
Baby Eczema Treatment
To treat eczema, avoid known triggers and apply non-scented moisturizer or emollient (petroleum jelly) liberally to your baby two to three times a day. Products with higher oil content tend to moisturize better than thinner, water-based products. When bathing your baby, use non-scented products and lukewarm water. Apply moisturizer immediately after to lock in moisture on damp skin.
Consider putting mittens on your baby, or covering their eczema with light clothing, so they don’t irritate the areas further.
“Affected skin that’s rubbed or scratched can thicken over time and develop cracks that let in bacteria, and secondary infection can occur,” Dr. Krewer says.
When to See Your Doctor about Baby Acne or Eczema
Baby acne and eczema are common, harmless skin conditions that usually resolve on their own without treatment.
However, it’s always best to consult a pediatrician if you're concerned about your infant's skin or if over-the-counter products aren't helping. Remember, every baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Trust your instincts as a parent and talk to your doctor when needed.