Baby Whiteheads
If baby has baby acne, chances are they have whiteheads too. Newborns are prone to developing bumps on their skin as they adjust to their new surroundings.
What are whiteheads?
Whiteheads look like tiny pimples and are white in colour.
It is a little different to acne – whiteheads are comedones, which are blocked hair follicles in the skin. When oil glands in the skin create more sebum than normal, they can block these follicles. Since they only have a microscopic opening on the skin surface, the material in the pores are not oxidised, giving it a white appearance.
Whiteheads usually appear on the tip of baby’s noses and around their forehead and cheeks.
Causes of Whiteheads
In babies, whiteheads are caused by blocked oil glands in the skin that are activated by mum’s hormones. It is not caused by dirty skin and is very common in babies.
Treatment of whiteheads
The best treatment for whiteheads in your baby is to maintain a healthy baby skin care routine.
Whiteheads usually go away on their own, but removing excess sebum and dead skin cells can help:
Gently cleanse baby’s face once a day with a soft cloth and water, or with a hypoallergenic baby wipe that is safe to use on their face.
Do not scrub baby’s skin, or scratch and pop the whiteheads. This may irritate their skin further and cause scarring.
Sometimes it may take a few weeks or months for whiteheads to disappear on their own. If the whitehead becomes red or inflamed, consult your baby’s doctor or childhood nurse.
Baby skin care tips for whiteheads
Use mild laundry cleansing products that are soap and fragrance free on your baby’s clothes and other items that their skin may come in contact with.
Cover baby’s hands with soft mittens at night to prevent them from scratching their face.
Read more baby skin care tips and find out about other baby skin conditions such as heat rash, dry skin and bumps.
The information published herein is intended and strictly only for informational, educational, purposes and the same shall not be misconstrued as medical advice. If you are worried about your own health, or your child’s well being, seek immediate medical advice. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website. Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries assumes no liability for the interpretation and/or use of the information contained in this article. Further, while due care and caution has been taken to ensure that the content here is free from mistakes or omissions, Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information here, and to the extent permitted by law, Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries do not accept any liability or responsibility for claims, errors or omissions.Last Published* April, 2023
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