Acne is a common skin disorder that vary in severity depending on your skin and genetics. Acne also can affect anyone ranging from those in their elderly years to as young as in their preteens. A preteen can experience a wide range of severity with acne outbreaks ranging from mild comedone formation, also referred to as blackheads or whiteheads, to serious acne nodules or cysts that can form acne scars. Each case varies based on the individual.
Causes
Acne occurs when pores on your skin become clogged with dead skin cells and a natural skin oil called sebum. These products combine together to form a soft plug called a comedone. When bacteria, called Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes, are present beneath the plug, they can multiply causing an infection. The body responds to this infection by flooding the area with white blood cells, creating inflammation, which forms acne papules or pustules. This inflammation can build up to the point where serious hard lumps called acne cysts or nodules form which can pop and lead to scarring.
Why it Affects Preteens
The time in which acne is often most active is during puberty, when hormonal changes cause an increase in sebum production. Since not all of the extra produced sebum can make it to the surface of the skin, clogs start to develop and result in acne, states the American Academy of Dermatology. For some adolescents, puberty can start even in their pre-teen years, resulting in a need for acne treatment at an early age.
Over-the-Counter Treatment
The treatments for pre-teen acne vary and depend on how severe the outbreak is. For mild outbreaks, the application of an over-the-counter medication such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may be enough to unclog the pore and kill the P. acnes bacteria.
Prescription Treatments
For more severe acne outbreaks, your child's doctor may prescribe medication to help clear up the acne. For example, a course of antibiotics--such as erythromycin or clindamycin--may be given to reduce the population of P. acnes in the outbreak. Other prescriptions may include retinoids such as tretinoin or adapalene. In some cases, the doctor or dermatologist may also use laser treatments to damage the sebacious glands in the skin to prevent excess sebum from being produced.
Natural Remedies
If you are concerned about using medications on your child, other natural remedies may be helpful. For example, a five percent solution of tea tree oil may be as effective as a five percent solution of the medication benzoyl peroxide in treating acne, states the Mayo Clinic. Supplements of brewer's yeast, guggul or zinc may also help with acne treatment. Before using a natural remedy, discuss your options with your child's doctor to avoid potential complications.
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