As infants get used to the world they were born into they can develop rashes that look more worrisome than they usually are. Here are three common reactions you will see in your newborn.

Baby Acne

Baby Acne appears on the face and back within the first month and usually disappears by the third month. It is believed that this is baby reacting to maternal hormones from in utero and flushing them from their systems. Resist picking or popping these little pimples or washing the baby’s face excessively. Most times these blemishes will disappear on their own.

Cradle Cap

Cradle Cap looks like baby dandruff in mild cases and in more severe cases shows up as thick yellow or brown scales on the scalp. Sometimes it will show up in the eyebrows or even the creases of the neck. More severe cases can cause the baby’s hair to fall out. Like Baby Acne, it is believed that this is also caused by maternal hormones and it will most times disappear on it’s own by the time the child is one year old. Parents can soften the scales by applying coconut oil or vaseline. For more severe cases your pediatrician may recommend a cortisone cream or dandruff shampoo.

Milia and Epstein Pearls

Milia also appears on the face and can be confused with acne but are little white bumps and usually on the nose.  According to skinsight.com “Milia form because the oil gland in the infant is still developing, and the skin does not slough off normally but will instead remain trapped in a pocket in the skin.”

When these cysts appear on the roof of the mouth or in the gum line they are called Epstein Pearls. Sometime a parent will think the child is sprouting teeth already, but like the other conditions Milia and Epstein Pearls will typically resolve themselves by three months of age.

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is a writer and mother of three. If you liked this posting please follow her on Twitter @writerbonnie or like her on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/WriterBonnie for more great info on Raising Kids.