Health Tip: Conditions That May Affect a Newborn's Skin

Most should resolve themselves in a few weeks

November 18, 2008 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- A newborn may have noticeable skin conditions that shouldn't affect them much later in life.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of skin changes that may occur as the young infant matures:

Babies -- especially if premature -- are often born with a soft, fine hair called lanugo covering the skin. But it should disappear within a few weeks.
It's normal for a newborn's skin to be splotchy, peeling or cracking. This also should improve over time.
Acne in infants is common, but doesn't usually last more than a few months.
Small white spots called milia that occur on baby's cheeks and nose should fade within a few weeks.
Small red spots on baby's forehead, eyelids, lips, and neck are caused by stretched blood vessels, and should disappear within about 18 months.