Infantile acne is a term used for the acne that affects toddlers between the age of three and 12 months. On rare occasions, infantile acne may persist in toddlers until the age of three. This type of acne is slightly more severe than baby acne that affects toddlers immediately after birth. Infantile acne usually results from hormonal changes during the birth of the toddler.
Toddlers affected with infantile acne generally have yellow papules on their face. They may also have blackheads, whiteheads and pustules.
Normally infantile acne is self-corrective and is remedied within a few months of its eruption. However, some times the acne can be severe enough to require treatment. It is worthwhile to note that in some cases toddlers with infantile acne may develop acne again in their teens.
Following are some cases when it is advisable to provide treatment for infantile acne:
- When infantile acne continues for more than a few weeks in your toddler
- When infantile acne develops after the ages of two or three
- When there is a family history of infantile acne
- Mild acne can be cured by gentle cleansing of the affected area followed by application of topical agents such as benzoyl peroxide
- Severe acne can be treated by using antibiotics and isotretinoin or any other therapy as prescribed by your doctor