Acne in Children - Causes And Treatment

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne commonly occurs on the face, neck, back, and chest. In severe cases, acne can cause permanent scarring.

What Is Acne In Children?

Acne is a skin condition that causes inflammation of the skin, resulting in red bumps and pimples and sometimes pus-filled lesions.

When acne occurs in children, it is referred to as pediatric acne. This skin condition often occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back, but it can be found in other places, such as the back, chest, arms, and buttocks.

The cause of pediatric acne is mainly believed to be the result of the body’s inflammatory response to the overactive sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance called sebum.

What Causes Acne?

There are many causes of acne. While there is no consensus on what causes acne, it’s thought to be linked to genetics, hormones, and excess oil production. Hormonal changes can trigger excess oil production, which can increase breakouts. Hormonal changes can occur during puberty, times of stress, or during menstruation. Knowing this, certain lifestyle changes can be made to help prevent breakouts.

How Are Acne And Acne Scars Treated?

Acne is most commonly treated with topical medication. Topical medications include topical retinoids, antibiotics, and salicylic acid.

• Topical retinoids are often referred to as retinoids. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A. Topical retinoids are great for treating mild forms of acne. Retinoids also promote healthy skin.
• Topical antibiotics are prescribed to treat moderate to severe acne. Topical antibiotics help kill bacteria on the skin, which can reduce acne.
• Topical salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA). BHAs are oil-soluble, so they are usually found in gel or cream form. BHAs help decrease blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes on the skin. They are used to treat mild to moderate cases of acne.

For mild acne, topical treatments such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid may be used. Systemic antibiotics may also be prescribed for moderate to severe cases of acne. For moderate to severe acne, treatment may consist of topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and prescription topical antibiotics, as well as oral antibiotics.

Laser treatments may be an option for patients with acne and scarring. Laser treatments work by sending targeted beams of light into the pores. These beams kill bacteria and reduce the amount of oil in the pores.

Call San Pedro at (310) 832-6487 or schedule an online appointment to know more about acne treatments.