Babies experience many things as they get used to life outside of their mother's body. However, these are all typical adjustments that will go with time.
Small white bumps (cysts)
50% of babies develop mila, which are small white cysts that appear on the chin, forehead, and nose [1]. The skin condenses its outer layer as it adjusts to the outside air. The sebaceous glands' secretion becomes trapped because the pores have not yet opened. Hence, small white bumps appear. These dots will disappear on their own in a few months [1]. However, attempting to treat them (squeeze, pierce, dry with lotions, or cauterize with alcohol) can cause inflammation. Serious treatment is necessary in this case.
Cradle cap
Crusty scales of a yellow color appear on the heads of 70% of infants in the first couple of months after birth. Pediatricians call them milk crusts, or "cradle cap." The official name is seborrheic dermatitis of childhood [2].
They are caused by the same factors as milia: increased sebaceous gland activity and skin adaptation. These crusts typically do not itch or cause hair loss. However, they don't wash off with regular shampooing, which causes concern among parents.
There are many cradle cap remedies on the market. However, studies show that the problem resolves within a few weeks or months, regardless of the treatment used or whether it was used at all [3].
Bald spot on the back of the head
Many newborns have a bald spot on the back of their head in the second or third month of life, as if their hair has been wiped off from lying on their back all the time. However, research has demonstrated that baldness in infants is unrelated to sleeping posture. It is actually a physiological norm. There's no need to worry about it, as it cannot be prevented [4]. After two or three months, all signs of baldness will disappear as new hair grows in.
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