is this normal? please look at the picture

[~Megan~]

is this normal baby acne or perhaps allergies?



FACE

[ralphie76]

This looks like normal baby acne to me- very typical in babies this age. I would only suspect allergies if you have changed anything (like tried a new product- lotion, soap, detergent, etc) and noticed this reaction afterwards. Most allergic reactions I've seen in babies look more like hives and have more of a red spreading pattern.

If it is acne, the best thing you can do for it is to leave it alone and lay off the product use for awhile- no soap, lotion, etc. and definitely don't pick at it. It will clear up on its own.

If you're noticing that it is causing baby some discomfort or you can trace its appearance to a change in product, then it might be worth getting it checked out by your ped. or care provider.

Good luck, and congrats on your beautiful new baby!

[Missy]

My son's face looked like that for weeks; he was our third child and we assumed it was infant acne until it just never cleared up. At two months, the ped. said it was probably infant acne, but could be the start of eczema and recommended limiting my dairy consumption. It **never** cleared up. We did vax him at that check up (still smacking myself in the head for that) and within ten days the bumps spread into patches of eczema, and his arms and legs and shoulders started breaking out as well. Turns out he's allergic to dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, treenuts, corn, all fruit, latex and on and on. By the time we had it all figured out, his entire body was covered and he didn't clear up until I had eliminated all of his allergens from my diet.

It can take time for a baby to start reacting to an allergen via breastmilk and eczema is frequently the first symptom. Watch your baby carefully--if the bumps clear up within a few weeks, great--it was probably infant acne. If not, I would assume allergy and start an elimination diet. Also, be alert for other possible signs: gas, reflux or silent reflux, colic, sleeplessness, itching...

HTH!!

Missy