Baby Scalp Acne

babyacneNew parents often examine every feature in their baby to make certain that he or she is perfectly healthy, a practice that continues through those initial first months. Although television magazine and commercials articles depict babies with perfectly rosy skin, many babies have skin problems that could appear as unhealthy however they are essentially normal. Baby acne in the scalp is just one such condition common among newborns.

Incidence

About one-fifth of all newborns develop baby acne, according to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This can be also called neonatal acne or acne neonatorum, as well as the condition occurs more frequently in boys when compared to girls. Baby acne appears because of presence of maternal hormones from pregnancy through the first month of life. The acne may show about the baby’s face, neck or scalp. It can also continue into the toddler stage of life, even though it can last three to four months.

Identification

Acne on the baby’s scalp appears as red bumps that could have a white center. The manifestation of baby acne is a lot like that in the teenager or adult. The bumps may seem like pustules, or whiteheads, or they can be small, and scattered on the scalp. Baby acne in the scalp ought not to be mistaken for cradle cap, a scalp condition that creates a scaly, weeping rash.

Causes

In pregnancy, maternal hormones pass towards the fetus from the placenta. This procedure supports the increase from the baby and her development. After birth, a tiny amount of maternal hormones stay in the baby’s body, appearing as some issues that usually shows in someone that went through puberty, including small quantities of breast tissue. The sweat glands from the scalp and face of your baby are immature, and those may interact with the maternal hormones still present in your body. This produces blockage and inflammation, contributing to pimples and acne.

Treatment

Pediatricians typically tend not to prescribe medication to deal with baby scalp acne, since it is a disorder that will most likely vanish entirely by itself. For cases that go on for many months or the ones that appear particularly severe, medicated creams can be prescribed for treatment. These creams include medications typically applied to adolescent acne, including benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics.

Home Solutions

By following basic home instructions, parents can minimize the presence of baby scalp acne. Wash and dry the baby’s hair having a mild shampoo; try not to scrub the scalp too vigorously. Parents must not make an effort to squeeze or disrupt the pimples. Stay away from lotions and creams on scalp acne, because this plays a role in further buildup of sweat secretions. With careful monitoring and good care of the scalp, baby acne eventually disappears.