What is Baby Pimples

Baby pimples happen on many children, including the very youngest. In some situations, this condition, which could be acne, is not a problem and does not impose any potential long term effects on the child. The condition is considered very common. Most often, it looks like small red or white bumps in a specific area of the face or other portion of the baby’s body. In some cases, these pimples can be present at birth or they can develop on a child’s skin later on.

Where Is It Located?

The most common areas for baby pimples to develop is on the baby’s cheeks. It can also develop on the forehead, the back, tummy area or the chin. If there are pimples located on the baby’s bottom or inner thighs, this is an indication of a diaper rash or other irritation caused by the skin becoming wet and staying that way.
When a child is upset, the crying, irritation and stress can cause baby pimples to become more prominent. It can cause the child’s skin to redden, making the baby pimples more noticeable.

What’s causing It?                       

The cause of baby pimples may or may not be easy to determine. In some children, hormones cause the condition to occur. This will usually go away as the child gets older and his or her hormone levels stabilize. This is especially common right after birth when many of the mother’s hormones remain in the child. Other conditions that cause this include the following.

1- The skin is irritated. This can occur from a fabric, milk or other product that touches the skin and is not cleaned away properly.

2- Abrasions on a baby’s skin can also cause this to occur. For example, if the child’s skin was damp and wiped with a rougher towel, this can cause irritation that leads to the development of red marks, including pimples.

3- If the child has small, white bumps and these have been there since the child’s birth and for several weeks since birth, this is a condition called milia. These will go away on their own and are not caused by acne in any way.

4- In some children, a condition called eczema may develop, even in very young children. This condition occurs when the skin is very sensitive to the environment and a rash develops as a result.

5- Some medications can cause baby pimples to occur as well. If the child is taking medication and then this type of acne forms, it is a good idea to discuss it with the child’s doctor.

In other cases, there is no way to know what is causing the condition. However, if the condition is painful or the child’s skin becomes a sore, it is important to discuss the condition with a health care provider. Baby pimples are not often serious, though.

Baby pimples may be nothing but if the condition bothers you or seems to bother the child, do discuss it with a doctor. Doing so can give you the sense of relief you need.