The skin of a newborn baby is different to adult skin. It's thinner, sensitive and more fragile. Adult skin has a pH of less than 5, which means it is acidic. A baby’s skin , however, has a pH close to neutral value (pH = 7). It is also thinner and contains fewer lipids than adult skin, and this leads, among other things, to a reduced capacity for defence against bacterial proliferation and dehydration. These are just some of the characteristics that make the skin of newborn babies so special. Spots on the skin of newborn babies: is it normal? We are going to look at some of the situations that can occur with regard to babies’ skin (spots); these are benign and transient . Milia (‘milk spots’), which are white dots on the nose: these affect about 30 to 50 percent of babies. They are small keratin or lipid-filled epithelial cysts. They are the result of maternal hormonal stimulation and resolve spontaneously in the first few days; Toxic erythema: a rash that appears on more than 90% of newborn babies during the first 48 hours of life. It is the result of the skin adapting to life outside the uterus. Although it can sometimes look quite vivid, it is not infectious; Angiomas: these are very common and have a pink or reddish tint. They are the result of a proliferation of blood vessels in the surface layer of the skin, and are usually found on the nape of the neck, eyelids and glabella (the space between the eyebrows). They become fainter as the baby grows, and end up by merging into the surrounding skin; Mongolian spot: a bluish coloured mark, typically located in the lumbar region and on the buttocks. It results from the increase in blue pigment producing melanocytes. It usually disappears in the first years of life; Milk crust / seborrheic dermatitis: this appears as a yellow crust or flakes on the baby’s head (and sometimes in the eyebrows) and may persist until the baby is 2 years old. This is a benign condition and there are products on the market for its treatment. Most of the time, in mild conditions, it can be resolved by moistening the baby’s head and then applying mineral oil (sweet almond oil) to it; Baby “acne”: These are small spots, usually reddish in colour and with a bumpy appearance, that appear on the face or neck during the first month of life. There is no specific treatment and the condition spontaneously disappears as the skin matures over the following months. Washing the skin and the application of neutral, perfume-free emollient cream is recommended. Caring for the skin of newborn babies The baby should only be bathed for a short time. The water temperature should be close to body temperature (36°C-37.5°C). The cleansing gel or cream must be: Liquid; Smooth; Soap-free and unperfumed; Neutral pH (or as close as possible). In the hospitals and clinics of the Hospital da Luz network, there are paediatric specialists who monitor the health of children and young people. Author : Alexandra Pinto Meet the Pediatrics team of Hospital da Luz network The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
