benign, self-limiting skin condition categorised by small erythematous papules, vesicles and pustules.
It affects 30–70% of newborns
typically within the first two weeks of birth
Erythema toxicum can be differentiated from an infective rash by its tendency to wax and wane over several days.
It is also unusual for an individual erythema toxicum lesion to persist for more than 1-2 days.
If the infant is otherwise well, no investigation or treatment is required, but recommendation for review should be made if the rash does not resolve after one to two weeks.
Milia
result of blocked pores
present as tiny, white cysts on the face in about 40–50% of newborns
Most lesions resolve after one to two months.
Parents should be reassured and advised to not squeeze or pick them as this may result in infection or scarring
neonatal pustular melanosis
affects 0.2–4% of newborn infants in the first few days of life
It is more common in African American babies than white American babies, affecting 4.4% of African American
No treatment is necessary for transient neonatal pustular melanosis, as it is self-resolving and has no long-term complications
Acropustulosis of infancy
small, itchy blisters and pustules on the palms and soles of infants in the first 2–3 years of life
develops small flat red areas on the palms and soles which become raised, develop into tiny blisters, then pustules, which heal with small temporary pigmented areas. The lesions are itchy. They occur in crops which become less frequent with time and eventually cease.
The condition resolves in a few months up to 3 years of age
