Child Acne

Childhood is that period between infancy and adolescence. Infancy as defined by doctors is the first 12, up to 24 months of life while adolescence is that period marking the transition from child to adult in terms of physical changes that go with puberty and emotional and intellectual maturity. Child acne or childhood acne is defined as the development of acne in a child between the ages of 1 to 8 years. Child acne is rather unusual or rare since children in this age group have inactive sebaceous glands which happen to be one of the key ingredients in acne development. Acne is common in teens or adolescents because sebaceous glands start to become active during puberty. In fact the most common clinical type of acne is the adolescent acne and is considered a normal occurrence in teens and pre-teens. And while acne is normal in teenagers, if observed in children under 8 years of age, it will require urgent attention from a doctor.

Cysts and pimples result from the oil created by the overactive sebaceous glands that mix with dead skin cells, obstructing the pores on the skin. It is quite common and it usually begins in puberty during which time the androgens the male sex hormones, increase in individuals regardless of sex, activating the sebaceous glands. This results in increased sebum production which shows up as different bumps in the skin blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps or pimples and pustules (bumps filled with pus). The skin pores are fine if sebaceous glands produce the right amount of sebum. But if the pore gets clogged with over-produced sebum, germs / bacteria, or dead skin cells, this will erupt on the face, neck, or other parts of the body as acne. Dermatologists are tasked to treating acne of child, adolescents and adults.

Kids of all ages can develop acne although it is more typical in pre-teens and teens. While factual childhood acne is rather unusual it can occur in children amid infancy and eight years old. Acne observed in children below age 8 should not be considered as a normal occurrence because it is not. And in cases where acne occurs in children under 8 years of age, treating acne should be left to the doctor. According to acnecontrol.org, child acne usually results from medication. A child who is taking specific medicine that can cause oil glands is likely to develop acne even at a very early age. Anti seizure medicines, topical or oral steroids and methotrexate are known to cause acne in children.

In other cases, newborn babies can also have acne shortly after their birth or at about three to four weeks old. During the last stages of a mothers pregnancy, newborn acne has started to develop. The mothers hormones transverse the placenta into the baby causing the activation of oil glands which can result to baby acne. They appear as hives or tiny pustules. The baby with acne should be checked by the doctor immediately if they manifest the signs of newborn acne.

In general, acne in children should be seriously treated and should be checked by a doctor to determine the underlying cause of acne and recommend the appropriate treatment.