What is the reason for the white pustules on the newborn?

My baby is 12 days old. I recently found white pustules on his body. I am so worried that he is sick. So what is the reason for the white pustules on the newborn?

Causes of neonatal abscesses

Neonatal impetigo is common in newborns, mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection, and often occurs in the hot summer season. Although it occasionally occurs in adults, it is mostly prevalent in children. The main symptom is pustules, which are prone to occur on the exposed parts of the head, face, arms and forearms of children, and can also spread rapidly throughout the body.

The pathogens of neonatal impetigo are the same as those of patients with impetigo in other age groups, but due to the delicate skin and imperfect functions of neonates, the unique clinical manifestations of this disease are formed. Furthermore, because neonates are exposed to bacteria for the first time, they are particularly sensitive to bacteria, which may also be an important factor. In addition, malnutrition, hot and humid climate, wrapping with plastic sheets and other factors that make the skin prone to maceration also play a certain role in causing this disease. Its infection source mainly comes from medical staff or mothers. When this disease is prevalent, Staphylococcus aureus can be isolated not only from medical staff, but also from clothes, quilts, air and dust. It is caused by contact infection with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus and (or) hemolytic streptococci. Because neonates have delicate skin and imperfect immune functions, they are particularly sensitive to bacteria. In particular, malnutrition, hot and humid climate, excessive warmth, skin sweating and maceration can induce this disease, which is mostly transmitted by medical staff with bacteria or mothers of children.

Symptoms of neonatal abscess

1. The disease develops suddenly and is highly contagious, and can cause an epidemic in nurseries and nursing rooms.

2. Extensive and severe skin lesions. Bullae suddenly appear on the face, trunk or limbs. The blister fluid is clear at first, then becomes turbid and purulent, surrounded by a red halo. The blister wall is thin and easy to rupture, revealing a bright red and moist eroded surface. The lesions can spread to most of the skin within a few hours or 1 to 2 days, and the mucous membranes may also be damaged.

3. Obvious systemic symptoms may include fever and green foamy stools. Some may develop sepsis, pneumonia, nephritis or meningitis and die.

Treatment of neonatal abscesses

Once neonatal impetigo is discovered, it should be isolated and treated immediately. For mild cases, intramuscular injection of penicillin or oral antibiotics can be used; for severe cases, intravenous drip of antibiotics and systemic supportive therapy can be used. Topical application of 1-3% berberine or 0.5% neomycin ointment, or 1% gentian violet solution is often used, and 50% alcohol is applied to the normal skin around the affected area every two to three hours to reduce the chance of natural contact transmission.

More severe impetigo usually occurs on the head, face, chest, back and limbs. It is characterized by pea-sized blisters containing slightly turbid fluid. When the blisters swell to a certain size, they may burst on their own. This is called pemphigus.

In addition to applying local medicine to the affected skin, penicillin should be injected intramuscularly and adequate nutrition and water should be given. In this case, you usually need to go to the hospital for treatment, and it takes 1 to 2 weeks to recover. If it is not treated in time or treated improperly, it may develop into neonatal sepsis, which is dangerous.

In order to prevent the occurrence of impetigo, it is advisable to avoid damaging the skin, take a bath and change clothes frequently. If you sweat a lot, you should always use a dry towel or handkerchief to dry your skin to keep it dry and clean.

Some people advocate applying 0.5% neomycin ointment or bacitracin ointment (containing 400-500 units per gram) around the navel of newborns to prevent skin infection. Mothers must wash their hands before holding their children, and they can use soap containing 3% hexachlorophene when washing their hands.