Symptoms

Newborn acne often occurs on the head, but under certain circumstances it can also affect the whole body. The most common location of neonatal acne is the head area, with the cheeks usually being most severely affected. However, small pimples and pustules can also be seen on the forehead and chin.The reason for this is that the density of sebaceous and sweat glands in the area of the head or face is very high, which in turn can become clogged up as a result of the hormone load during pregnancy and lactation.

Particularly in the facial area, care can be taken to ensure that, for example, the mouth area is well cleaned during and after breastfeeding and that it is dabbed dry when drooling to avoid additional irritation. As a rule, newborn acne is most often felt on the face, less frequently on other parts of the body or even on the whole body. However, if this is the case and the blackheads, pimples and pustules spread over large areas of the body, a pediatrician should be consulted, as in rare cases this can also indicate other skin diseases (such as neurodermatitis).

The abdomen is not part of the typical infestation pattern of newborn acne, nor is it the case with other forms of acne. The localization on the abdomen is rather typical for other diseases in childhood. These include, for example, molluscum contagiosum (molluscum contagiosum), three-day fever or ringworm.

The neck does not belong to the typical infestation pattern of newborn acne. However, it is of course possible for the neck to be affected as part of neonatal acne in the face. Acne papulopustulusa in adolescents with inflammatory papules and pustules, on the other hand, is typical for infestation outside the face.

The neck including the trunk and upper arms can be affected. Newborn acne mainly affects areas where many sebaceous glands are present. This includes especially the face and chest.

A V-shaped area can then be affected, which starts at the neck and extends over the breastbone. At the same time, a V-shaped section of the back is usually also affected. The face is the most common site where newborn acne manifests itself.

The infestation is particularly impressive on the cheeks, around the nose and at the temples. In some cases, individual pustules can also settle on the eyelid as an unspecific accompanying reaction. However, since there are typically no sebaceous glands there, the eyelids are usually left out. If the edges of the eye are purulent, conjunctivitis is the most likely cause.