My Newborn Has Bumps All Over Their Face: Should I Be Concerned?

When most of us think of baby skin, we instantly think soft and smooth, so if you notice tiny bumps on your baby’s face, it’s natural to be at least a little alarmed. The good news: In most cases, facial bumps in newborns are completely harmless and even relatively common. The key is knowing when those bumps could mean something more serious that needs a doctor’s attention.

At One World Pediatrics, our team is committed to providing comprehensive newborn care to help babies and their parents navigate the early weeks and months of life with ease. In this post, learn why facial bumps happen and when it’s time to give us a call and schedule a visit.

Facial bumps: Common culprits

Many times, tiny bumps on a baby’s skin are part of normal development. Remember, newborn skin is delicate, and it’s still “learning” how to respond to its surroundings. That means temporary changes, like dryness or bumps, tend to be common during this adjustment phase of life.

Baby acne

One of the most common causes of facial bumps in newborns is baby acne. Yes, you heard that right — babies can have a form of acne, too. This condition usually shows up as small red or whitish bumps on the cheeks, nose, or forehead. Researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes baby acne, but they think it may be related to hormonal activity just before birth and after birth.

Milia

Milia is another cause of tiny white bumps, typically on the nose, chin, or around the eyes. Also called “milk spots,” about 50% of newborns have milia. Like baby acne, milia clear up on their own within a few weeks.

Erythema toxicum

Yes, the name sounds scary, but erythema toxicum is another benign cause of skin bumps, usually appearing as tiny white or yellowish dots surrounded by small red blotches. Common within the first few days of life, this condition typically fades within a week or two as your baby’s skin adjusts.

Sensitivity reactions

Finally, it’s also important to remember that your baby’s skin is brand new and not used to the substances it touches. Saliva from a kiss, milk or formula residue, and even laundry detergents can all cause mild irritation or breakouts. Using gentle skin products designed for newborns and keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry may help, but bumps may still appear despite your best efforts.

Bottom line: Most causes of skin bumps are harmless and clear up on their own. As long as your baby is behaving normally — feeding well, sleeping normally, and not showing signs of fussiness or irritation — it’s usually OK to wait and see if the bumps clear up on their own.

When to check with our team

While most facial bumps are harmless, there are times when it’s a good idea to seek medical advice. For instance, you should definitely call the office if:

• The rash is severe or spreads rapidly
• Your baby also has a fever
• The bumps or rash appear infected
• Your baby isn’t eating well or appears lethargic or sluggish
• The rash appears to be causing pain
• A rash or bumps appear after beginning a new medication

You should also call our office if the bumps persist beyond a few weeks or if they seem to get worse instead of getting better. An exam with our team can determine if your baby has an underlying issue, like allergies, an infection, or an immune system condition, that requires medical treatment.

A healthy start — and greater peace of mind

There’s no denying that seeing bumps or rashes on your baby’s skin can be upsetting, but fortunately, there’s usually no cause for alarm. If you have concerns about your baby’s skin or if your baby has a rash that doesn’t go away or seems to be getting worse, we’re here to help. 

To make sure your baby enjoys the healthiest start in life, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at One World Pediatrics in Longwood and Apopka, Florida, today.