Acne

Is this your child's symptom?

• Pimples and blackheads on the face caused by blocked oil glands

Symptoms of Acne

• Whiteheads (pimples) are plugged oil glands that are closed.
• Blackheads are plugged oil glands that are open. Reason: The oil turns black when it is exposed to air.
• Whiteheads and blackheads are also called "zits."
• Red bumps are from blocked oil glands that have leaked oil. This causes irritation in the skin around them. Larger red bumps can be quite painful.
• Acne mainly appears on your face, neck, and shoulders

Causes of Acne

• Acne skin changes are from plugged oil glands. Acne has several causes.
• Increased levels of hormones during puberty have a part. Heredity also plays an important role.
• Some skin bacteria can make it worse.
• Acne is not caused by diet. You do not need to avoid eating fried foods, chocolate, or any other food.
• Acne is not caused by dirt or by not washing your face often enough.

Care Advice for Acne

1. What You Should Know About Acne:
   • More than 90% of teenagers have some acne. Acne is a normal part of the teen years.
   • There is no medicine at this time that will cure acne.
   • However, good skin care can keep acne under control and at a mild level.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Benzoyl Peroxide Gel:
   • Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) is the best OTC medicine for bringing acne under control. Use a Benzoyl Peroxide 5% gel product (such as the store brand). OTC means no prescription is needed.
   • It helps to open pimples and to unplug blackheads. It also kills bacteria.
   • Apply the lotion once a day at bedtime to the area with acne. Redheads and blonds should apply it every other day for the first 2 weeks. Reason: More sensitive skin.
   • Use an amount of lotion the size of a pea. This should be enough to cover most of the acne.
   • If the skin becomes red or peels, use less of it. Other option: You can use it less often.
   • Caution: Avoid the corners of the eyes, nose and mouth. Reason: These areas are very sensitive.
   • Caution: Benzoyl Peroxide bleaches clothing, towels, blankets, etc. Apply it only at bedtime and put it on sparingly. Use a plain white pillowcase.
3. Antibiotics for Red Bumps:
   • Large red bumps mean the infection has spread beyond the oil gland. If you have several red bumps, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
   • Antibiotics come as solutions for the skin or as pills.
   • The antibiotic will kill the bacteria that are causing the infection.
   • Give the antibiotic as directed.
4. Washing the Face:
   • Wash your skin twice a day. The most important time to wash is bedtime. Just use warm water or you can use a mild soap (such as Dove).
   • Shampoo your hair daily.
   • Avoid scrubbing your skin. Reason: Hard scrubbing of the skin irritates the openings of the oil glands. This causes them to close off even more tightly.
5. Pimple Opening:
   • Opening (popping) pimples is not advised by many doctors. But, most teens and adults do it anyway.
   • So, here's how to open a pimple safely without any squeezing.
   • Never open a pimple before it has come to a head.
   • Wash your face and hands first.
   • Use a sterile needle (cleaned with rubbing alcohol). Nick the surface of the yellow pimple with the tip of the needle. The pus should run out without squeezing.
   • Wipe away the pus and wash the area with soap and water.
   • Opening small pimples in this way will not cause skin damage.
6. Avoid Picking or Squeezing Acne:
   • Many young people pick at their acne when they are not thinking about it. Picking makes acne worse.
   • Try not to touch the face at all during the day.
   • Squeezing blackheads causes bleeding into the skin. The bleeding turns into brownish blotches on the skin. They can take 1 or 2 months to fade.
   • Squeezing red lumps can force bacteria into the skin. This too leaves blotches. It can also cause a serious face infection.
7. Prevention - Avoid Triggers of Acne:
   • Avoid putting any oily or greasy substances on your face. Reason: They block oil glands and make acne worse. If you use cosmetics, use water-based cosmetics.
   • Avoid hair tonics or hair creams (especially greasy ones). When you sweat, they will get on the face and irritate the acne.
8. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, new whiteheads and blackheads will decrease. But, it takes 6 to 8 weeks.
   • Acne usually lasts until age 20 or 25.
   • So, you will need to continue the treatment for several years.
   • You don't need to worry about scarring. It is very rare for acne to leave any scars.
9. Call Your Doctor If:
   • With treatment, the acne has not improved after 2 months
   • It looks infected (large, red, tender bumps)
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.