Duration of a newborn acne

introduction

Newborn acne is a form of acne that can appear in the first few weeks of life after birth. Typically, there are many small pustules and papules on the head, face and neck. Every fifth child suffers from newborn acne during or after birth. It usually doesn't last longer than 4-6 weeks.

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Duration of symptoms

In most cases, newborn acne heals a few weeks after the birth. Therapy is usually not necessary and there are no scars. The symptoms usually last 4-6 weeks.

If the symptoms are still not better in the 3rd to 6th month of life, one speaks of acne infantum, the infant acne. Most of the pimples are on the cheek and the findings and course are more serious than that of newborn acne. Here, too, the androgen level in the blood is too high and it is advisable to have the concentration of sex hormones determined when taking a blood sample.

Infant acne also needs special therapy to prevent acne scarring and infection. Locally applied antiseptics and antibiotics are suitable here. In severe cases, however, the antibiosis must be given systemically, i.e. as juice or via the vein.

Duration until healing

Newborn acne usually heals after a few weeks before the 3rd month of life.

Longer courses of therapy are characteristic of infant acne; here it can take a few months for the disease to heal. Gloves can be used to prevent scratching and thus prevent possible scarring. Both of these forms of acne are prolonged if there is a superinfection with bacteria.

Duration of symptoms on the head

Symptoms of newborn head acne can appear in the first three months of life and usually last a few days to weeks. If pimples continue to appear on the head after the third month of life, it is more likely to be infant acne. Although the head is the part of the body that is most exposed to fresh air, it is also the part of the body that has by far the most touch from other people and contact with food, liquids or saliva.

What can be done to reduce symptoms?

First of all, it is important to know that newborn acne heals on its own and does not require therapy in uncomplicated cases. However, there are some easy-to-use tools that can help shorten the duration of newborn acne.
Attempts should be made to keep as little as possible of fragrances or artificial additives in hygiene products on children's skin. The baby should only be washed with water or simple soap.
To prevent the baby from scratching pimples, it is helpful to put on gloves. In no case is it allowed to smoke in the presence of the child, it worsens the skin condition.
Care should also be taken that the baby is not dressed too warmly, because sweating irritates the skin even more. It would be better to let enough fresh air come to the baby's skin. Since saliva or spit out milk aggravate the course of newborn acne, it is advisable to regularly dry the baby's mouth and folds of skin with a cloth.