White pimples in newborns and infants. How to treat white pimples in children?

The skin of a newborn baby is extremely sensitive and reacts to absolutely everything - allergens, external irritants, hormones. One of the types of manifestations on the skin of a baby is white pimples on different parts of the body.

A woman’s life completely changes with the birth of a child, and, in addition to joy, the fair half of humanity is faced with a number of issues regarding the baby’s health. One of them is the appearance of pimples in the baby. It is not always possible to immediately figure out what caused the rash - the mother’s diet and an allergic reaction, or physiological processes in the developing and fragile body of the newborn.

Small white pimples in newborns and infants

• One of the types of rashes on the baby’s body are white pimples on different parts of the child’s body. It’s not for nothing that there is a lot of discussion about rashes on a child’s body, because often rashes are a sign of a health problem
• If white pimples appear, there is no need to panic - often this is just an echo of the physiological processes that occur in the child’s body
• Such manifestations do not bother the child, and are also absolutely safe for his health and skin. They do not cause itching and do not become inflamed, therefore, they do not leave behind scars or marks.

White pimples in a newborn

Causes of rashes in infants and their symptoms

A rash on the cheeks of an infant can occur for several reasons:

• due to improper care, prickly heat, dermatitis develops, and small, sometimes weeping skin rashes occur;
• when infected with infectious diseases (scarlet fever, chickenpox, measles, whooping cough) - in this case, rashes for each disease have their own characteristics according to the type and location of localization, but are almost always accompanied by fever;
• atopic dermatitis - an allergy to mother's milk or formula, and at a later age to complementary foods. Accompanied by profuse rashes and redness, which can swell and cause significant discomfort to the baby due to itching;
• urticaria - the rash looks like a nettle burn. Develops quite quickly from overheating, cooling, exposure to UV rays and due to mechanical stress (friction, tight clothing);

In addition to various diseases, rashes in infants can be caused by medications

• rash from medications (drug rash) - appears as a result of exposure to pharmacological drugs on the body. Redness and spots may appear;
• food allergy - a reaction to breast milk or formula. Reddish spots spread on the cheeks, beard, tummy, back, and may peel off. Unlike atopic dermatitis, adjusting the diet gives a noticeable result, since in this case the allergen is easier to identify;
• diaper dermatitis - unlike prickly heat, the rash is localized under diapers in the folds of the skin. It is not allergic in nature and goes away quickly after using special ointments, changing the brand of diapers, and air baths;
• contact dermatitis - manifests itself on the skin in the form of small rashes and chafing. Usually it is a consequence of exposure of delicate skin to detergent compositions (powders) and various fragrances.
• Infantile acne is a slightly noticeable change in the skin texture on a child’s face.

Neonatal pustulosis

Pustulosis does not develop in all newborn babies (25-35% of cases).

The occurrence of such rashes is associated with:

• the activity of hormones in the child’s body that affect the activity of the sebaceous glands;
• influenced by the mother's hormonal levels.

In appearance, acne resembles juvenile acne, although sometimes they are hardly noticeable and are detected only upon palpation. The resulting pustules have a dirty white, yellowish tint. The rashes are localized on the nose, neck, and ears. Pores usually don't get clogged and blackheads don't fester, so parents shouldn't worry too much about this.

Neonatal pustulosis is not a skin disease, but a special condition of the body of a newborn child. Such rashes are not contagious; their appearance is associated only with fluctuations in hormones, and not with viruses, infectious and bacterial diseases.

Also, the appearance of acne is not associated with the baby’s hygiene, although failure to comply with it can certainly aggravate the situation (development of pustules, abscesses).

No special treatment is required. Do not lubricate acne with a solution of brilliant green, fucoricin, or potassium permanganate. It is permissible to apply either zinc ointment or Bepanthen to the affected areas. This will help dry out the rash. Squeezing out acne is prohibited - it can cause infection and leave a scar on the child’s skin.

Allergy

Rash on the cheeks in children is more often associated with food allergies. In an infant, this may be a reaction to breast milk or formula.

An allergic rash, as a rule, is a reaction of a child’s body to certain foods.
In this case, rashes can appear not only on the face, but throughout the body. The rash can flake, itch and cause discomfort and anxiety to the child.

If such symptoms occur, the mother of the baby is recommended to adhere to certain dietary restrictions so that allergens do not enter the baby’s body with milk. If a reaction to the formula occurs, the parents, together with the pediatrician, select a new formula (lactose-free, soy).

Diaper dermatitis

It develops exclusively in the groin and genital area of ​​the child. The cause is skin contact with a wet diaper or cloth. The use of antihistamines is not required, since the nature of the rash is contact-mechanical.

To eliminate symptoms, it is recommended to change the brand of diapers you are using and avoid them as much as possible. Air baths will help quickly dry out inflamed areas. You should also follow the rules of hygiene and use powder to dry the skin after each wash.

The use of healing agents will help quickly relieve inflammation and redness (bepanthen, drapolene). If there is no adequate treatment in areas of redness, the skin may burst, cracks may form, and it is very easy to get a bacterial infection.

Atopic dermatitis

It is an allergic disease. However, identifying the root cause is usually difficult, since the causes of this disease are different.

It could be:

• heredity;
• improper introduction of complementary foods;
• errors in nutrition of a nursing mother;
• immature intestinal flora (dysbacteriosis);
• consequences of antibiotic use;
• aggressive cosmetic care products.

Atopic dermatitis in infants usually begins with swelling of the cheeks and forehead. Later, redness appears on the body: on the arms, legs, thighs. The rash tends to transform into small blisters. Adenoids and tonsils may also become enlarged.

Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis. He prescribes antihistamines, a diet for a nursing woman and the necessary studies (tests for allergens, the composition of breast milk). Various ointments and creams are also used, and dietary supplements are also prescribed for nursing mothers and children.

For children who are bottle-fed, a hypoallergenic formula (soy, lactose-free) is selected. Mothers of infants with atopic dermatitis should follow a strict diet.

Infectious rashes

When infected with infectious diseases, the rash signals the beginning of the acute phase. In this case, by the nature of the rash, you can visually determine what disease the child has. Treatment is not aimed at eliminating the rash, but at fighting the infection.

At the same time, the rashes are taken care of, observing the rules of basic hygiene and treating with special means depending on the disease:

• chickenpox - usually rashes appear 1-2 days after the onset of the acute phase and are accompanied by a rise in temperature. Initially, small red spots appear, which then swell and fill with fluid.

Then the papule bursts and the wound begins to heal. Usually, infants up to 6 months are protected from chickenpox infection by the mother's immune bodies (if she has suffered this disease);

• rubella - rashes appear 2-3 days after the temperature rises. Usually the rash is mild and appears on the face, legs, arms and torso. There is slight swelling of the occipital lymph nodes;
• scarlet fever - a small scarlet rash appears on the chest, neck, back, gradually covering the entire body. Usually the first sign of scarlet fever. A distinctive feature of scarlet fever is that the rash does not affect the nasolabial area (triangle), it remains white and stands out. To treat the infection, antibiotics are prescribed, after which the rash goes away;
• measles - when infected with this disease, the rash does not appear immediately, but 3-5 days after the temperature jump. Usually the rashes are abundant, bright in color and large in size.

The rash covers the body in a certain sequence: first the face, neck, ears, then the arms and torso, then appears on the legs. The appearance of a rash during measles indicates the completion of the active acute phase of the disease and the beginning of an improvement in the condition;

• rotavirus infections - as a result of infection, rashes on the palms and soles may be observed;
• Roseola infantum – this disease affects children under 2 years of age. Roseola is caused by herpes viruses. The initial stage of the disease is characterized by a sharp rise in temperature, which decreases on the 3rd day. After this, a reddish-pink rash begins to appear on the child’s body, which disappears without a trace after 5-7 days.

Skin parasites

A rash on the cheeks of an infant rarely occurs due to parasites. Children are most often affected by lice and ticks when they are older.

Pediculosis affects the scalp or genital area. The risk of lice in infants is minimal and is associated with unfavorable living conditions for the baby and lack of basic hygiene.

With scabies, infection occurs with scabies mites, which lay their larvae in the depths of the epidermis. Infection of infants with this parasite is also very rare.

Skin candidiasis

A child can easily become infected with candidiasis or thrush from the mother during childbirth, during breastfeeding, and simply in everyday life. Almost half of newborns are carriers of Candida fungus. This is facilitated by a slightly acidic reaction in the oral cavity of newborns.

To combat thrush, the newborn's mouth is wiped with a weak soda solution. By 3 months of life, the salivary glands begin to work more actively, and the environment becomes slightly alkaline, the child’s body is able to independently suppress the pathogen.

Intrauterine infections, the use of antibiotics, and improper feeding also contribute to the development of candidiasis. All these factors have a detrimental effect on the immunity of babies in the first days of life and contribute to the development of candidiasis.

Thrush or candidiasis (fungal disease) usually affects the baby's mouth, but can also spread to the skin

Thrush affects areas on the child’s body that come into contact with wet diapers, clothes, and diapers. At the site of diaper rash, redness and small blisters with liquid contents appear. All this causes discomfort to the child.

Other reasons

Other causes of rash in infants include:

• hereditary skin diseases (ichthyosis, keratoderma);
• connective tissue diseases (lupus erythematosus, scleroderma);
• excess and deficiency of vitamins;
• changes in the nervous system.

Small white pimples in a newborn - causes

You may notice white pimples while still in the hospital, but sometimes they can appear 2-4 weeks after the baby is born. Everything is due to the causes of such rashes:

• Acne - the cause may lie in hormonal levels. This is how the mother’s hormones (extriol) manifest themselves in the child’s body or the hormonal changes in the baby’s body. If this type of acne appears, just keep your baby's skin dry and clean. Such pimples sometimes have a yellowish tint and appear in the face and neck; Activity of the sebaceous glands can also lead to acne. These pimples have a red base with a white tip in the center. It is recommended to take measures only in case of inflammation; in its absence, treatment is not required
• Milium - immaturity of the sebaceous glands - leads to the appearance of white pimples on the child's skin due to blockage of the sebaceous glands. They resemble small pearls the size of a pinhead and appear singly

Prickly heat

Miliaria is a skin lesion that is associated with hyperfunction of the sweat glands and irritation of the excretory ducts . The disease can develop as a result of improper care of the newborn’s skin, prolonged stay in hot rooms and the wrong choice of clothing (the child is wrapped tightly). Miliaria resembles an allergic rash, but differs from it in localization. Signs of an allergy most often appear on the skin of a child’s face, and with prickly heat, rashes form throughout the body - most often in natural folds, on the neck, lower abdomen and upper chest. What does prickly heat look like:

• small blisters with transparent contents, prone to burning and itching;
• in difficult cases – reddish nodules with an inflamed rim;
• with extensive skin damage - weeping areas.

Miliaria itself is not dangerous to a child’s health. But damage to the skin is fraught with the addition of a bacterial or fungal infection. In this case, purulent processes develop, the skin becomes swollen, and a putrid odor appears. Red pimples associated with heat rash cause discomfort in the child - he becomes capricious and irritable, refuses to eat and sleeps poorly.

Small white pimples on the face

• Small white pimples on the face most often occur due to incomplete functioning of the sebaceous glands. They pass as soon as the baby's ducts open. Most often this happens about a month after the appearance
• Such rashes do not require treatment. The main recommendation is to maintain hygiene for mother and child
• You need to not only wash your baby in the morning and evening, but also wipe (or better yet, wash) his face after each feeding to remove any remaining milk or formula. If you are breastfeeding, it is recommended to wash your breasts before and after feeding.

White pimples on the face

Treatment

When a child is born, parents constantly worry when the slightest changes appear on the baby’s skin. To avoid imbalance of the body, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Drugs

If allergic reactions occur, you should use antihistamines H1, H2 and H3 blockers, hormonal agents and kramons (sprays).

Skin allergies should be treated with the drugs listed in the table below:

Folk remedies

To quickly cleanse the skin on your child’s face, you should do the following:

• When breastfeeding, a mother should adhere to proper nutrition and exclude harmful foods and allergens.
• It is important to observe hygiene standards, which include daily bathing of the baby in boiled water with the addition of a decoction of medicinal plants, such as chamomile, string, celandine.
• The child's clothes and bedding must always be clean.
• It is important to carry out regular wet cleaning of the room.

Bay leaf decoction

Components:

• water – 0.4 l;
• bay leaf – 20-25 g.

Preparation:

1. Boil purified water.
2. Add bay leaves to the bowl.
3. Cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes.

The cooled decoction can be used to treat rashes in children. Babies up to 12 months. should be given 1-3 drops per day, after a year - 10 drops. You should wipe your face with the healing liquid several times a day.

Herbal bath

Components:

• string leaves - 1 tbsp. l.;
• chamomile - 1 tbsp. l.;
• water – 1 l;
• potassium permanganate - several crystals.

Step by step steps:

1. Combine herbs in a deep bowl.
2. Add potassium permanganate.
3. Pour boiling water over it.
4. To cover with a lid.
5. Leave for 60 minutes.
6. Strain using a fine sieve or gauze folded in four.

Before bathing the child, it is recommended to pour the infusion into the bath.

Bird cherry decoction

For the recipe you will need the following elements:

• bird cherry – 5-7 branches;
• water.

Step by step steps:

1. Fill the plant with water.
2. Cook over low heat for 7-10 minutes.
3. Strain the liquid.

You should bathe your child in this decoction every day for at least 10 minutes, then rinse him with clean warm water.

White pimple on eyelid

Infants often develop white pimples on the upper or lower eyelid. These are milia or so-called millet. The main reasons for their appearance on the eyelid:

• Reaction to allergens
• Rarely, this is a consequence of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• Calcium deficiency (for example, when teething)
• Blockage of the sebaceous gland ducts

Important: In case of pimples on the eyelids, the main treatment is hygiene, but it is worth determining the cause of their appearance.

Pimple on the eyelid

Small pimples broke out on baby

Rashes on the face and body of newborns are not a disaster. In fact, almost every second parent faces this problem. And sometimes a rash is a variant of the norm. In particular, small pimples in a baby can be:

• Milia, or small whiteheads (usually found on the nose and chin).
• Erythema toxicum - yellowish-white pimples with a reddish ring.
• Prickly heat.
• Red pimples and pustules, like teenagers.
• Allergic rashes (most often found on the cheeks).
• Manifestations of dermatitis.

The listed causes of acne are quite harmless; they do not pose a direct threat to the child. But sometimes a rash becomes a symptom of infectious diseases and other serious conditions.

Only an experienced pediatrician can accurately determine the causes of acne.

White pimples on the genitals

Sometimes milia appear on the labia or on the penis of infants. This is also explained by blockage of the sebaceous glands and goes away with the normalization of their work. To prevent their occurrence, monitor your baby’s intimate hygiene:

• Wash after bowel movements in warm water. You can do this under the tap, placing the baby's tummy in the palm of your hand. With your free hand, wash from the pubis to the anus so as not to provoke an inflammatory process. This is especially true for girls
• Change diapers or nappies promptly
• Do not keep your baby in diapers all the time, give him air baths so that the skin can breathe

Important: If white pimples appear on your baby’s genitals, be sure to show him or her to a pediatrician or dermatologist. Sometimes they indicate the presence of a disease. For example, mycoplasmosis, a urogenital infection, can manifest itself this way.

Chickenpox

A viral disease transmitted by airborne droplets. It occurs infrequently in infants and is very severe. Occurs if the mother became infected with chickenpox during pregnancy, or never had chickenpox, and the baby was in contact with a sick person. This occurs due to the lack of necessary antibodies.

Congenital pathology manifests itself during the first week and a half of life. The baby's temperature rises, vomiting occurs, and convulsions are possible. The child loses appetite and becomes lethargic. Apathy abruptly gives way to irritability. After a couple of days, rashes appear in the form of red spots and blisters filled with liquid. Sick children are advised to drink plenty of fluids and breastfeed frequently.

At high temperatures it is necessary to take antipyretics. Rashes are treated with brilliant green, rashes in the mouth are lubricated with sea buckthorn oil. The use of antipruritic ointments is also useful.

White pimples on the gums and tongue

• Often appear simultaneously with pimples on the eyelids due to incompletely formed sebaceous glands.
• May be the result of stomatitis due to untreated feeding utensils or pacifiers. Stomatitis can also appear due to numerous kisses from the baby.
• If, in addition to pimples on the gums and tongue, you notice their appearance on the palate of a newborn, they may be a symptom of dysbiosis
• Bon's nodules on the gums are small cysts that look like pearls. They pose no danger and disappear without a trace over time.
• Teeth - neonatal (congenital) teeth. They can be included in a set of baby teeth or be extra in a row. In the second case, they need to be removed, so you need to consult a dentist
• Thrush - differs from other types of pimples by the manifestation of other symptoms: rising temperature, child anxiety, increase in the number of pimples

White pimple on the gum

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a disease of an allergic nature, which is accompanied by chronic inflammation of the skin. The causes of an uncontrolled allergic reaction in infants are:

• food allergens – animal protein, soy products, some types of vegetables;
• airborne allergens - household dust, pollen, pet hair, tobacco smoke, etc.;
• pathogenic microflora - fungi, viruses, bacteria.

In newborns, the erythematous-squamous form of atopic dermatitis with signs of an acute inflammatory reaction is most often diagnosed:

• skin hyperemia;
• peeling;
• flat small papules.

Red spots are localized on the arms and legs in the folds , on the sides of the neck, on the back of the hands and on the cheeks. Children with atopic dermatitis are advised to regularly cleanse and moisturize their skin [6]. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed only for extensive skin lesions that impair the baby's quality of life - in this case, you should consult a pediatrician.

For daily care, it is recommended to use STELATOPIA emollient cream . Research [5.1] has shown that emollient:

• In 90% of cases, it reduces increased dry skin [5.1] and reduces the likelihood of clinical signs of AD by 51% [10]
• Relieves itching sensation in 91% of cases [5.1]
• Reduces inflammation after 32 hours[11]

How to treat white pimples?

• White pimples do not require special treatment. In this case, the so-called “policy of non-intervention” will be much more useful, when you want to treat, but you shouldn’t do it
• Do not squeeze pimples under any circumstances, you may cause an infection or provoke an inflammatory process.
• Do not rub your baby’s delicate skin with all kinds of alcohol-containing lotions and creams.
• Wash your newborn or baby with boiled water
• You can bathe your child in a weak, barely pink solution of potassium permanganate - this will help dry the skin
• Brew chamomile or string for bathing. Be careful - some babies may be allergic to some types of herbs
• It is recommended to give the baby air baths more often, if the room temperature allows
• Change clothes and diapers on time
• If you are breastfeeding, try to stick to your diet, do not eat red foods or citrus fruits. Excess sweets can also lead to breakouts

Important: If you follow all the recommendations, and pimples do not go away, consult your pediatrician and dermatologist. Sometimes white pimples can be a symptom of a disease

Seborrheic dermatitis

Not only red pimples, but also yellowish scales may appear on the skin of a newborn. These are signs of seborrheic dermatitis, a disease associated with increased secretion of sebum. Scales form in the first month of life on areas of the body with a large accumulation of sebaceous glands - on the scalp, upper third of the back, face, chest and in the ear area. Seborrheic dermatitis is sometimes called “milky crusts”, which may be associated with the use of inappropriate cosmetics for the care of infant skin. In fact, the disease is caused by high levels of maternal hormones in the blood or changes in the biochemical composition of lipids on the surface of the skin [4].

In most cases, childhood seborrheic dermatitis goes away on its own. Parents just to take care of proper care , but it is not recommended to diligently remove the crusts - you risk damaging the delicate skin and causing infection. It is better to use specially developed products - such as Foam Shampoo for “milk crusts” for newborns. It facilitates the removal of scales in 90% of cases , and in 95% of babies it soothes the scalp [5.2]. The product contains 99% ingredients of natural origin. The shampoo is fragrance-free and has a “tear-free” formula. If you have thick, dense scales, which are located not only on the scalp, but also in other areas, a “milk crust” cream , which helps to completely remove “milk crusts” in an average of 7 days [5.3].