L70: Acne

L70.4: Infantile acne

These skin changes particularly occur in babies and infants who have more male sex hormone than usual in their body. This may indicate another disorder.

Male sex hormones control the production of sebum in the skin, for example. Every hair is anchored in a small bulb, the hair follicle. Sebaceous glands are usually attached to these hair follicles. The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance for the skin called sebum. Sebum prevents the skin from drying out. When there are more male sex hormones than usual in the body, more sebum than normal is usually produced. Pores in the skin can then get blocked and become inflamed. A red rash with small blisters usually appears on the cheeks.