White spots on baby's face

The baby's skin is very fragile. If the external environment is slightly worse, the baby will be very prone to allergies. Moreover, since the baby's immunity is relatively low and its recovery ability is weak, the baby's skin needs careful care. Many parents have found that their baby’s face has many white spots, which is most likely caused by the baby’s incomplete physical development. So, what should you do if white spots appear on your baby’s face?

1. What is the reason for the white spots on the baby's face?

These small white spots on your baby's face are called "miliaria". Milia occur because the baby's sweat glands are blocked, which is caused by the incomplete development of the baby's glands. The appearance of small white spots on the baby's face is a normal physiological phenomenon. Generally, milia will appear when the baby is 1 or 2 weeks old, but it will gradually decrease after a few weeks until it disappears. In fact, this is miliary rash, which usually occurs in babies and will gradually get better.

2. The concept of pityriasis alba

Pityriasis alba, also known as simple pityriasis alba, is an oval, scaly, non-protruding hypopigmented macule. It often occurs on children's face, the extensor side of the upper arm and the upper trunk. The diameter is generally 5-50mm, often multiple, with unclear boundaries. It mainly occurs in children aged 3-12 years old, 80% of which occur in children in this age group, and nearly 40% of children have suffered from the disease.

3. Causes of Pityriasis alba

Pityriasis alba is a mild dermatitis related to fungal infection. It looks like one or several white or light red patches. Children usually don't feel anything, so parents discover it by accident. The cause of the disease is still unclear. Studies have shown that it may be related to inflammatory inhibition of melanocyte function. It is also related to external factors such as dry skin and sun exposure. Therefore, this disease is particularly prone to occur in children with dry or dark skin.

4. Treatment of pityriasis alba

Pityriasis alba has a slow course, and it usually takes several months to a year or even longer for the white spots to disappear. Generally no special treatment is required and it will resolve on its own. In daily care, mothers should keep their children's faces clean, and do not use soaps with too strong alkaline properties to clean the affected area. They can use natural moisturizers to moisturize the skin, or apply medications or take vitamin B orally as prescribed by the doctor. Avoid using topical ointments containing hormones, such as dermatitis medications, and don't trust treatments such as phototherapy in private skin hospitals that are harmful to your child's skin.

5. Prevention of pityriasis alba

Mothers should pay attention to keeping their children's faces clean, and wash away dust, sweat and oil on their faces in time. Do not use soaps with strong alkaline properties. Pay attention to nutritional balance in your diet, and reasonably combine meat and vegetables, coarse and fine foods, and correct picky eating.