Baby Acne: Investigating Online Search Interest

Abstract

Neonatal acne, also referred to as “baby acne,” is a common dermatological condition characterized by the presence of small red papules or pustules on the face in the first 3 months of life.[1] While the condition is generally benign, it can lead to heightened anxiety among parents and caregivers. Google Trends offers an opportunity to explore public interest in neonatal acne, as it provides insights into search frequency, seasonality, and geographic distribution of queries. By leveraging this data, health-care professionals can gain a better understanding of the public’s information-seeking behavior and tailor educational resources to meet the needs of concerned parents effectively. Using Google Trends, we gathered the United States search data to examine the search volumes for the term “baby acne” spanning from January 2004 to December 2022 [Figure 1]. Google Trends provides data on search volumes, presented as a relative percentage ranging from 0 to 100, which is based on the total number of searches within a specific geographic area and time frame. In addition, Google Trends enabled us to pinpoint the states with the highest relative search volumes (RSVs) throughout the 2004–2022 period.Figure 1: Google Trends relative search volume for “baby acne” between 2004 and 2022, in the United StatesThe data show a consistent upward trend in searches for “baby acne” from 2004 to 2022. Notably, since 2011, there has been a cyclic pattern with search volumes peaking during late spring and summer months. The highest number of searches occurred in July (7 out of 19 years), followed by June (6 out of 19), May (4 out of 19 years), and April (3 out of 19 years). The top five states with the highest RSVs for “baby acne” include North Dakota, South Dakota, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Nebraska. The rise in online searches for the term baby acne reflects the growing popularity of online parenting communities. Reports analyzing parent behaviors on the internet showed that over 70% of parents have turned to search engines to find medical information for their children.[2] Facial eruptions can be divided into non-infectious and infectious etiologies, with at least 18 other diagnoses in the differentials.[1] While some causes are self-limiting, others such as pustular psoriasis require early diagnosis and treatment to prevent life-threatening complications. Thus, it is important for dermatologists and pediatricians to provide proper education to parents and avoid delay in treatment. The temporal and regional patterns observed may indicate that environmental factors play a role in neonatal acne exacerbation. While neonatal acne is thought to be caused by hormonal changes following birth, environmental factors such as heat and moisture may also play a role.[3] Exposure to high levels of humidity contributes to increase sweating, which can clog the enlarged neonate pores and trap bacteria on the skin surface, further promoting the development of neonatal acne.[1] Interestingly, states with the highest RSVs for neonatal acne are located east of the Rocky Mountains and are characterized by frequent thunderstorms and high precipitation during the summer months.[4] By understanding the impact of heat and humidity on neonatal acne, parents and health-care providers can take proactive measures to promote the baby’s skin health during this transitional phase. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.