Infant Baby Acne - Bloomington, IN

Updated on July 17, 2007
C.M. asks from Bloomington, IN
17 answers

My baby was born in mid-March and appears to have acne. The rash isn't nearly as hideous as my 5 year old's was when she was a baby, but it comes and goes very quickly. At first I thought it was heat rash because heat makes it worse, but the other day her back was soaked with sweat and the rash wasn't bad or on her back. Then I thought it might be an allergy to the milk-based formula I'm giving her because it's along the jaw line, but it doesn't come out right after the feeding after she drools down her chin. My mom suggested it's the detergent, but I use Dreft and although it's on the upper part of her chest and shoulders, too, it's no where else. Does anyone know what this is? I don't wash my clothes in Dreft - maybe I should try. Or should I switch formulas?

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So What Happened?

I switched her to lactose-free milk formula (for reflux and gas reasons, too) and I have started wiping down the area every day with a baby soap with moisturizer. I have also started changing her clothes more. It is much better, although she still gets it in the heat. In the two weeks since my mom had seen her, she noticed a difference. Thanks!

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L.B.

answers from South Bend on

My 6 month old has pretty much what you are describing. We just asked the doctor about it and he gave us different samples of baby bath soap, laundry soap and said if that did not work to try her with a soy formula. Aveeno baby bath soap seems to be helping. it hasn't totally gone away yet but seems to be better and better every bath time. Hope this helps!!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Both of my boys had baby acne. And that's what the doctor called it. It cleared up in a few months though! No acne now!

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W.C.

answers from Lexington on

It definitely sounds like baby acne. My understanding is it usually begins about 3-4 wks after birth (when the mommy hormones start dissipating from the infant's body) and can continue up to about 6 mos. The best thing I found for it was bathing every other day, using a baby exfoliator to slough the dead skin cells off (as the acne heals it becomes crusty, itchy and pulls at the healthy skin), and if it really bothers you, a little bit of cortisone - baby cortisone (0.05%) if you can get it. I couldn't find it here but when I used to live in a Louisville I was able to get it there. Remember tho that cortisone is a steroid product and thus will thin the skin so you don't want to use a whole lot of it or over a large area of skin or as a longterm solution. Contact your pediatrician for further information. Continue using dreft and sure - why not trying to wash your clothes in it too? If my son touched anything washed in anything other than dreft he would break out horribly. Also, remember that formula fed babies will hold onto the acne longer as they aren't getting the immunity and antibacterial properties in breastmilk.

Above all, however, remember that it doesn't bother baby much; certainly not as much it bothers their mommies. Your beautiful baby will be remembered as such - and the memory of the acne will fade until you completely forget they ever had it.

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L.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Hello, my daughter had the same problem when she turned 5 weeks old. I took her to the doctor and he confirmed that it was just acne, and that it would go away fairly soon. Doc also told me to put 1/2 percent hydrocortisone cream on it twice a day and it worked wonders. I wouldn't worry about the detergent or formula just yet, the acne should be gone the time she is about 3-4 months old. It also helps to not use the baby wash for every bath and to only bathe once or twice a week.

Good Luck

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Muncie on

It sounds like baby acne. What you are describing is exactly what my daughter had at that same age too. There's not much you can really do. It goes away on it's own in a month or two. Go ahead and try washing the baby's clothes in Dreft or All Baby (a little cheaper but better in my opinion). If you notice a change in her skin, then your mom was right, but if your baby is allergic to the detergent you have been using you would have noticed a bigger rash than just on her chin, so personally I don't think that's it.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

My daughter had baby acne. It was the same way. It seemed to come and go with no apparent rhyme or reason. Give it a few weeks and if it doesn't clear up, contact your pediatrician.

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M.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

My daughter had a rash like that when she was newborn. The pediatrician told me that it was most likely an irritation from excess moisture. She would get it on her chest after a feeding and it spilled on her clothes(chest area), and down one side of her face(the side she was leaning to during a feeding. I was really careful to change her after that. If she spit up or got the slightest ammount of liquid on her clothes, I would change her immediately. No more wet bibs or clothes and it rarely happened again. good Luck.

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H.J.

answers from Louisville on

My daughter had what I thought was baby acne and after taking her to the doctor found out that it was eczema, caused by the lactose in the dairy I was drinking and that she, in turn, received through breastfeeding.

Eczema can be itchy and painful, so I'd just make sure you rule that out....otherwise it's probably just baby acne.

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G.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

My youngest had that and the doctor gave me a medicated cream like a mix of eucerin and a hydrocortisone cream and I applied it as directed and it went right away. I would just go see your doctor. Because I thought it was a lot of different things and spent alot of money on lotions, baby wash and dreft and its just something any normal baby gets. I hope this helps G. Hernandez!

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S.S.

answers from Terre Haute on

My son had the same thing. I thought it was baby acne, but my pediatrician said it is a form of heat rash. Tyler wouldn't break out all over and it cleared up fairly quickly. The pediatrician suggested keeping my son out of the heat as much as possible. He said I didn't need to change anything. I would suggest talking to your pediatrician to see what he/she thinks. My son is now almost 14 months old and it has pretty much cleared up. He's able to go outside and play and not completely break out. He'll have a few spots here and there, but as soon as he comes inside and cools off, they're gone.

Hope this helps!

S.

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T.S.

answers from Lexington on

Hello, my daughter had a similar problem too when she was smaller. I took her to the doc too, and she suggested it was a slight case of cradle cap.....I know that sounds like a nasty skin infection or something, but really it is just the bodies inability to get rid of dead skin cells.....I would put lotion on her twice a day on the effected areas. That really helped because it loosens the cells and allows the pores to cleans themselves. Try this too before you get into prescriptions. It may be a simple solution. When I had the issue with my daughter we had to lotion up twice a day for almost the first year, but it wasn't a big deal. Now at 15 mos old she is fine. Hopefully you will figure out a solution soon, I know things like this can be a bit frustrating sometimes....
T.

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J.B.

answers from South Bend on

With babies it's just so hard to tell! My son has extremely sensitive skin, he's 2 yrs old. I wash his clothes in ALL Baby Care, and we wash our clothes in ALL Free detergent. When we were using Tide he would break out from just lying against us! It couldn't hurt to try. I also use Eucerin cream on him whenever he has a major breakout and it helps so much. I dress him lightly when he goes to bed, and I stick to one thing during bath time! I also only give him a bath about twice a week. I would suggest as most of the other ladies here have, to talk to your pediatrician about it, and see what their suggestion is!

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Is her skin dry? It sounds like my son's eczema. Talk to the doc, they can prescribe an ointment to help with flare-ups.

P.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

My youngest had the exact same thing when she was little. We never really got a reason or cause, but we were given a prescription of Elidel and that cleared her up. She had a ton of those little bitty bumps all over her arms and her chest and shoulders and on her face. They never really went away until we started using the Elidel. Other responses mention a cheaper alternative so I would go with that, but know it isn't a permanent issue.

H.P.

answers from Lexington on

Ok girl!! I have the answer for you!! I work for a company that sells the BEST PRODUCTS in the whole world for EVERYONE with skin problems, allergies, asthma, excema and more!!! You will NOT have to buy dreft, there is a detergent that is safe for your baby and the ENTIRE family!! Oh and did I mention it's not as expensive?? I must talk with you. Visit my website at www.momonamission.info or email me at ____@____.com!! Call me if you want ###-###-####!!!

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A.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi C...I know it's been awhile since you've posted but I wanted to send some information your way about a product that would be GREAT for your daughter. My best friends daughter had severe eczema when she was just a few months old and after trying a million different things..the only thing that she found that did the trick was Arbonne's ABC Baby Products because they are 100% natural with not a single dye or chemical...they were a godsend for her! In fact, she loved it so much that she became a consultant for the company and then got me involved and now I'm addicted to every one of their products ha. I would be more than happy to send you a free samle if you would like to contact me at ____@____.com or ###-###-####. OR if you would like to learn more about the babycare products click here: http://www.arbonne.com/products/baby/

Just remember to put in my id# 17187842 if you do decide to purchase please =)
P.S. there is a 45 day money back guarantee on all products..that's how good they are!

Good Luck!
A. Vadas

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S.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

Since your baby is still so young I would not play any guessing games with what is causing the rash and make an appointment with your pediatrician. I'm sure it's nothing serious, but I wouldn't take any chances either. Hope you find out what's causing the rash soon! Good luck!

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