As much as we wish it would, nothing remains perfect or forever unblemished. Because of environmental contaminants, and because your baby’s skin is not fully mature at birth, he will probably be affected by some kind of skin condition in his early years. Any number of natural catalysts such as allergies, hormones, genetics, bodily fluids, and even the weather can cause problems for the skin; but very often, something in the environment triggers an inevitable series of inflammations and irritations with which you and your baby will be forced to cope.

Not surprisingly, the number of newborns experiencing skin disorders is rising. Over 30% of unscheduled visits to the pediatrician’s office are caused by skin problems. Baby skin can be so permeable that it is easily dehydrated and infected. Because the skin is susceptible to all kinds of environmental toxins, from air pollution to chlorine in the water, we need to be especially careful not to put toxins directly on the skin through toiletry products.

A variety of minor skin conditions including pimples, rashes, scales, and bumps of other sorts, are well within the range of normal; but the associated discomfort still produces tantrums, crying, irritability, and whining that can simultaneously break your heart and send you into a panic. For the most part, there is no need for concern. These blemishes will usually go away quickly with a simple natural baby skincare treatment. There are plenty of creams, salves, and ointments to help reduce pain, sooth irritation and restore the skin to its natural state of perfect health. The products you choose should create a protective, nurturing environment without exposing your baby to unnecessary environmental contaminants like parabens and synthetic fragrances. Still, if you feel at all concerned, you should consult your doctor right away.

To prevent skin problems from recurring, you must engage in the tricky task of finding the source of the problem. While many common conditions, such as acne and eczema occur naturally, and are truly unavoidable, many more of your child’s skin conditions probably stem from the use of avoidable contaminants in impure toiletry products, non-organic foods, and contaminated water. For example, toiletry products that are formulated with irritants or bed linens that have been laundered with oily fabric softeners can aggravate baby skin. Many common skin conditions can be successfully treated and even prevented with non-pharmaceutical products under the care of a pediatrician who is predisposed to try a natural approach. Just remember that skin is a window into the body’s internal condition and mirrors its external environment. Removing exposure to toxins, surprisingly prevalent in personal care products, reduces the workload of the body’s immune system and enhances overall health.

Copyright 2009 Kim Walls www.episencial.com
To find out more about Kim Ask Kim a question about organic natural skincare for Baby Skin Stages on Twitter

People who use either oral OR topical antibiotics to treat their acne are more than twice as likely to catch colds, according to a study in the September 2005 Archives of Dermatology. If the results of this study hold up to further investigation, it may change the way acne is treated. Here, the researchers analyzed the experience of over 100,000 people with acne over a fifteen year period. About ¾ of them were treated with antibiotics such as topical erythromycin or clindamycin and/or oral minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline.

Those who received any of the antibiotics for at least 6 weeks had more than double the chance of catching colds during the entire following year. The common cold is a virus – not directly affected by antibiotics. But antibiotics, in addition to taking care of harmful bacteria, also attack beneficial bacteria that are part of our body’s defense system, apparently resulting in the increased frequency of viral infections.

It surprises me that topical antibiotics on the skin of the face would have the same effect as oral antibiotics, but previous research has shown that topical antibiotics can change the characteristics of bacteria on the skin, even far from the site of application. They can also change the bacteria in the nose passages, and on the skin of people close to the user. And the odds of being a carrier of resistant Group A Strep are higher in people treated with oral or topical antibiotics.

This study does not suggest that antibiotics be abandoned when treating acne, but that their effects on subsequent infections be included when weighing their benefits and costs. Over 2 million people each year in the United States alone have acne severe enough to deserve treatment. That’s a lot of colds to consider!

Introduction to milia:

When you first meet your baby, there may be tiny bumps on his or her face. These may catch your attention or you might look right past them and not even notice at first.

What is milia?

Milia are little plugs of keratin in the glands of the skin of the face. The resulting bumps are a common feature of newborns’ faces.

Who gets milia?

Milia are found in up to half of newborns.

What are the symptoms of milia?

The tiny bumps of milia are no larger than a millimeter or two. They are most common on the tip of the nose or chin, and are frequently seen on the cheeks and forehead. Less commonly, they will be found on the upper trunk or limbs –and even on the penis. When found in the middle of a baby’s palate, they are called Epstein’s pearls.
These bumps are yellow or white (unlike the red bumps of baby acne).

Is milia contagious?

No

How long does milia last?

Most milia disappear within the first few weeks of life. Sometimes they last for the first 3 months.

How is milia diagnosed?

Milia are recognized by their appearance and location.

How is milia treated?

Treatment is unnecessary. If the bumps last longer than 3 months or are very extensive, other diagnoses should be considered. In adults or older children (with secondary Milia), the bumps may be a sign of other skin conditions.

How can milia be prevented?

No prevention is necessary.

Related A-to-Z Information:

Baby Acne, Cradle Cap, Diaper Rash, Erythema Toxicum (Baby rash), Hemangioma, Inconspicuous Penis, Labial Adhesions, Lanugo, Miliaria, Moles (Nevi), Mongolian Spots, Port Wine Stain, Pustular Melanosis, Salmon Patches (Stork bites)

Related concepts:

Precocious puberty

Introduction to early puberty:

When childhood is ending, it often feels like it has all gone by too fast. It’s bittersweet watching our children’s bodies change into those of young men and women. How much more poignant when puberty arrives earlier than expected!

What is early puberty?

The age of onset of puberty varies widely. In girls, the breast bud is usually the first sign, and is seen on average at 10-11 years. Pubic hair usually begins to appear 6-12 months later. Next comes the pubertal growth spurt. Menstruation begins, on average, 2 to 2.5 years after the onset of puberty. The mean age for a girl’s first period is about 12 years. Wide variations are seen in the sequence and timing of these events, but the peak growth spurt always precedes the first period.
In boys, testicular enlargement is the first sign of puberty and is seen on average at 10-13 years. Further testicular enlargement, pubic hair development, and penile enlargement, follow. The peak growth spurt for boys happens around 6 months after pubic hair development and typically occurs later than for girls.
Precocious puberty is often defined as the onset of true puberty before 8 years of age in girls or 9 years of age in boys. (Isolated breast development that doesn’t progress to the rest of puberty is called premature thelarche, and is a different, benign condition).

Who gets early puberty?

Precocious puberty is 10 times more common in girls than in boys.
Most precocious puberty is simply early maturation. Nevertheless, the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society recommends evaluating for an underlying medical condition in Caucasian-American girls who have development of breast and/or pubic hair before age seven and in African-American girls before age six (Kaplowitz and Oberfield, Pediatrics 1999 Oct;104(4 Pt 1):936-41). Medical conditions that may be associated with precocious puberty include ovarian cysts, thyroid problems, McCune-Albright syndrome, or external sources of estrogen. In girls over age 6, these other causes are quite rare, but should at least be considered by your pediatrician.

What are the symptoms of early puberty?

In girls, the signs to watch for are the development of the breasts, the growth of pubic hair or underarm hair, a change in the appearance of the external genitals, and the beginning of menstrual periods.
In boys, watch for enlargement of the testicles or penis, the appearance of pubic hair or underarm hair, acne, and the deepening of the voice.
Increased height and weight may be seen in boys or girls.
Early maturation may be divided into three main types: rapidly progressive, slowly progressive, and unsustained. Most girls who begin puberty early (especially those who begin before age 6) have the rapidly progressive variety. They go through each of the stages (including closure of the growth plates of the bones) at a very rapid pace, and thus lose much of their adult height potential. About 1/3 of these girls will end up shorter than the 5th percentile of adult height. Many girls, however (particularly those beginning puberty after their 7th birthdays), will start puberty early, but still go through each of the stages at a more typical pace. While their “adolescent” growth spurts are over early, they will continue to grow until their bones reach final maturity at about age 16.
A few have unsustained early puberty: the changes of puberty begin and then stop.

Is early puberty contagious?

No

How long does early puberty last?

Sexual development may begin at any age. Pregnancy has been reported as early as 5 1/2 years old.

How is early puberty diagnosed?

Early puberty is suspected on the basis of the physical examination. Laboratory tests are important to determine which puberty hormones are present, and where they are coming from. Sometimes X-rays of the hands to look at bone growth help determine the cause of early puberty.

How is early puberty treated?

Medicines are available to slow or stop early puberty. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove ovarian cysts, or other ongoing sources of puberty hormones.
Children with early puberty tend to have the mental development of their chronologic age clashing with the emotional surges of adolescence. These children deserve extra understanding and support.

How can early puberty be prevented?

Often early puberty cannot be prevented. We do know that exposure to puberty hormones such as estrogen can trigger some types of early puberty. Reducing children’s exposure to estrogen or other sex hormones is wise.

Related A-to-Z Information:

Depression, HIV, Inconspicuous Penis, Labial Adhesions, Lanugo, Nightmares, Obesity, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Curiosity in Young Children

Related concepts:

Pimples

Introduction to baby acne:

To many parents’ dismay, their beautiful newborn’s face breaks out with red bumps at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. This is called baby acne. It tends to occur at about the same age as the baby’s peak gas production and fussiness. How attractive! (This all coincides with parents’ maximum sleep deprivation.) Parents are often quite concerned both about how these bumps look and about their significance.

What is baby acne?

The bumps of baby acne are quickly fleeting evidence of the connection between a mother’s body and her baby’s. During the final moments of pregnancy, her hormones cross the placenta into her child. Among other things (such as maturing the lungs), this stimulates the oil glands on the skin, eventually giving rise to the baby acne.

Who gets baby acne?

Baby acne is a common newborn condition. It can be present at birth, but typically appears at 3 to 4 weeks of age.

What are the symptoms of baby acne?

Fleshy or red pimples occur predominately on the cheeks, but are also quite common on the forehead and chin. Whiteheads are sometimes present.
The acne will be most prominent when the baby is hot or fussy (increased blood flow to the skin), or when the skin is irritated. If the skin comes into contact with cloth laundered in harsh detergents, or becomes wet from spit-up saliva or milk, the condition may appear worse for several days.

Is baby acne contagious?

Babies develop the acne from the maturing effect of mothers’ hormones.

How long does baby acne last?

This condition tends to come and go until the baby is between 4 and 6 months old.

How is baby acne diagnosed?

Baby acne is recognized based on the timing and appearance.

How is baby acne treated?

Usually, no treatment is necessary. It can help to gently cleanse the face once a day with water. Oils and lotions do not help, and may aggravate the condition. If the acne is severe or lasts beyond 6 months, your pediatrician may prescribe a mild medicine to help.

How can baby acne be prevented?

Baby acne is a normal stage that is difficult to prevent. Try to take many pictures before the baby acne begins.
You can expect that the rash will soon be a memory. The oil glands will disappear, and you won’t see the acne again until you turn around once, and your baby is a teenager. This time the acne will be evidence of hormones transforming your baby into an adult.

Related A-to-Z Information:

Colic, Cradle Cap, Diaper Rash, Eczema, Erythema Toxicum (Baby rash), Exanthems (Childhood rash), Hiccups, Hives, Impetigo, Lanugo, Milia, Mongolian Spots, Port Wine Stain, Pustular Melanosis, Salmon Patches (Stork bites), Seborrhea (Seborrheic dermatitits), Stye, Thrush