It is very common in some babies to develop acne-type lesions on the face. It may occur in children from 2 months old and may last until they’re 2 years old. It’s more common in boys.
It is also known as neonatal acne or neonatal cephalic pustulosis.
Infantile acne is a harmless condition.
Symptoms of infantile acne
- acne on the face
- acne on the skin
Scarring is possible with infantile acne which increases with the severity of the acne and more likely in babies with darker skin.
Severe infantile acne is associated with an increased likelihood of severe acne in adolescence.
Causes of infantile acne
The infantile acne is believed to occur due to the testosterone hormones in the baby’s body from the mother, which are still circulating in the baby.
These hormones may cause an overproduction of the sebum in the skin and this causes the acne-type symptoms on the baby’s face.
Treatment of infantile acne
Infantile acne will normally clear up on its own within a few weeks, when the mother’s hormones stop circulating in the baby.
If the acne becomes severe (very red inflamed cysts and nodules), then a doctor will need to provide appropriate treatment.
Mild infantile acne is treated with:
- benzoyl peroxide
- retinoids
- azelaic acid
- antibiotics
Severe infantile acne with deep nodes is treated with:
- erythromycin or trimethoprim – oral antibiotics
- isotretinoin – this medicine affects the sebaceous glands. It’s used when antibiotics don’t work to reduce severe infantile acne symptoms
References
- ACD A-Z of skin – infantile acne. The Australian College of Dermatologists. Accessed 6 July 2024
- Infantile acne. DermNet USA. Accessed 5 July 2024
- Infantile acne. National Institutes of Health USA. Accessed 6 July 2024
- Is that acne on my baby’s face? American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed 6 July 2024
Last reviewed and updated: 6 July 2024
