When you first notice the sign of acne neonatorum or infant acne your first thought may be about infant acne treatment. It is a fact that this condition afflicts quite a large percentage of newborn children. It is more common in boys rather than the girls. The child shows first signs of it 2 weeks after birth. For some the condition may be present from birth itself and may last for more than 4-6 weeks after birth. It may appear like a rash or a pimple on the chin, forehead and cheeks. In some cases the child may get afflicted with yellow papules on the nose and the cheeks during the 2nd or 3rd month after birth and the condition may cause whiteheads, blackheads, pimples etc.
It is recommended that a physician be consulted if the acne persists for more than 6 months. At times it may also last for 2-3 years. It is better to seek guidance from your pediatrician before you start any treatment on your own as a baby is very delicate and harsh chemicals may have adverse effects on its skin. The baby has to be cleaned with a soft moist cloth after his/her feed.
Causes
The condition afflicts children of both sexes and is attributed due to the maternal hormones that remain in the baby's system after delivery. Many people believe that it is caused as a result of any medication that the mother is taking while breastfeeding her baby.
Infant Acne Treatment
As such doctors do not recommend any particular infant acne treatment as this acne is known to disappear in due course on its own. However the doctors do recommend that the baby be washed regularly using mild baby soap and gently dried using a soft cloth. It is not recommended to apply oils or lotions until the baby is free of acne. If it is used it may aggravate the condition causing bacterial infection worsening the condition making it painful for the baby. The baby's laundry has to be done using a disinfectant and a mild soap that will not irritate the baby.
At times some doctors recommend using an Ionic colloidal silver solution as an infant acne treatment as it reduces swelling and helps heal the acne effectively. Some other doctors may recommend benzoyl peroxide based creams that may however be rather too strong for the sensitive skin of the baby.
Some doctors recommend vinegar based solution to be applied on the affected area. The doctors always recommend a patch application to observe if there are any side effects before continuing treatment. Some doctors recommend using a mild cleanser but most of them are against application of any strong creams or lotions and just ask the parents to have patience and wait for the acne to clear up on its own.
Another common infant acne treatment is to use soft blue light for a few minutes each day under constant supervision. The blue light is used commonly to treat children with jaundice etc. This blue light is soothing and is used as it kills bacteria preventing the acne from aggravating, thus effecting a cure within a few days. The treatment is usually administered when the baby is sleeping.
It is recommended that you follow the instructions of your doctor and that you do not start any treatment on your own. Mostly infant acne requires no special infant acne treatment as it can get cured if left on its own.
