Newborns with transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM) are born with small blisters on their skin. The blisters rupture, causing skin discoloration. These dark spots fade over time without treatment. Black infants are more likely to have this skin condition. TNPM doesn’t scar or cause long-term problems.
Transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM) is a normal and harmless skin condition that affects newborns. Infants with TNPM have skin bumps called pustules that are noticeable at birth. These pus-filled bumps rupture, causing white-encircled dark spots on the skin. These spots eventually fade. TNPM is benign (not cancerous). It doesn’t itch or scar. The condition goes away without treatment.
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Breaking down the meaning of each word may help you better understand this condition:
TNPM is not common. This skin disease affects 2.2% of infants.
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Experts don’t know why some babies are born with TNPM. It affects boys and girls equally. Full-term infants are more likely to have this skin condition than those who are born early.
TNMP causes small pus-filled bumps and/or blisters on a newborn’s skin. Symptoms include:
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TNMP skin lesions can appear anywhere on a child.
Your child’s healthcare provider can make a diagnosis by examining the bumps. Your child shouldn’t need special testing.
In rare instances, a dermatologist (skin specialist) performs a skin biopsy to examine pustule fluid or tissue under a microscope. If a child has TNPM, the biopsy sample will have white blood cells called neutrophils. The condition is benign, so there won’t be cancer cells.
Your child’s healthcare provider may perform a biopsy to confirm a TNPM diagnosis and rule out conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as:
The bumps from TNPM go away without treatment. Because the blisters break open easily, you should take extra care when bathing and changing your baby. Ask your child’s healthcare provider about what bathing and moisturizing products to use.
Medical experts aren’t sure why some babies are born with this skin condition. There isn’t anything you can do to prevent it.
There are no long-term effects from TNPM. The blisters don’t scar or itch. And the discolored skin fades in a few weeks. In time, you won’t be able to tell that your child ever had this skin condition.
Call your healthcare provider if your child experiences signs of an infection, such as:
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Seeing bumps on your newborn’s skin can come as a shock. Most skin conditions that affect infants are harmless and temporary. While blisters and skin discoloration from TNPM may look unsightly, your child isn’t in pain and won’t have scars or any long-term effects. The condition goes away without treatment. You should talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have concerns about how to bathe and care for your baby while the blisters are present or healing.
Last reviewed on 05/24/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy